Phytotherapy in the management of anxiety in primary health care
an integrative review on efficacy, neurobiology, and quaternary prevention
Keywords:
phytotherapy, anxiety, primary health care, quaternary prevention, unified health systemAbstract
Managing mild to moderate anxiety in Primary Health Care (PHC) is often marked by excessive medicalization. Phytotherapy can present a relevant alternative to this scenario. This study aimed to analyze the clinical evidence and neurobiological mechanisms of phytotherapy, highlighting its role in quaternary prevention and challenges within the Unified Health System (SUS). An integrative literature review (2016-2026) was conducted in PubMed, SciELO, VHL, and Cochrane databases, resulting in a final sample of 28 studies. Findings indicate that extracts of Crocus sativus, Lavandula angustifolia, Melissa officinalis, and Passiflora incarnata have efficacy comparable to synthetic psychoactive drugs, but with fewer adverse effects. Neurobiologically, the pleiotropic action of these phytochemicals modulates the GABAergic system and reduces glutamatergic hyperexcitability. Phytotherapy proved valuable in benzodiazepine tapering and elderly protection. However, the restriction of RENAME to only 12 species and professional training gaps limit its integration. It is concluded that phytotherapy is a robust tool for quaternary prevention, promoting sustainable and humanized care.
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References
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