Calming Herbs for Dogs During the Holiday Season
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Calming Herbs for Dogs: How Valerian, Lemon Balm, Passionflower & Chamomile Support Your Dog Naturally
The holiday season brings joy, warmth, and celebration into our homes. But for many dogs, this time of year is filled with unfamiliar noises, more visitors, disrupted routines, and a general sense of overstimulation. Many dog owners look for gentle, natural ways to help their dogs relax — and this is where calming herbs for dogs can make a meaningful difference.Because while we enjoy the festivities, our dogs may struggle with:
- heightened alertness
- restlessness in the evenings
- stress-related digestive issues
- noise sensitivity, especially around New Year’s Eve
- difficulty settling when the household feels “too busy”
Natural herbal support can offer a gentle, effective way to help sensitive dogs stay more grounded and comfortable. Four calming herbs for dogs, in particular, have been used in veterinary phytotherapy for their ability to ease the nervous system without causing sedation: Valerian Root, Lemon Balm, Passionflower, and Chamomile. Each herb works through different pathways in the body, and when combined, they create a beautifully balanced, multi-layered calming effect.
Let’s explore what makes each of them special. And why these calming herbs for dogs are widely used in veterinary phytotherapy for their ability to ease the nervous system without sedation.
Table of Content
Valerian Root
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is one of the most recognised calming herbs for dogs and in natural medicine. It contains compounds that help the brain shift out of a heightened, reactive state. Valerian and benzodiazepines (such as Valium and Xanax) both work on GABA(A) receptors but use different mechanisms.
It is important to know that GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the brain's primary "brake pedal". It is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger, that tells nerve cells to calm down and stop firing.
Benzodiazepines bind at the interface between alpha and gamma subunits, strongly enhancing
GABA response and producing dependency risk.
Valerian's primary compound, valerenic acid, acts as a beta-subunit modulator of GABA(A)
receptors, enhancing the brain's sensitivity to existing GABA through a more subtle mechanism.
This difference in receptor targeting explains why valerian does not carry addiction or
dependency risks like benzodiazepines do.
Active Constituents
● Valerenic acids & valerenol
They modulate GABA(A) receptors, which enhances their sensitivity to GABA and
therefore promotes a calming effect.
● Valepotriates
They have sedative and anxiolytic properties. However, valepotriates are highly unstable, breaking down rapidly during storage or in aqueous environments. This makes their bioavailability questionable in clinical practice. The specific mechanisms of Valerian's skeletal muscle relaxation remain unclear. Research suggests it may involve the GABA system and central nervous system effects, but direct musculotropic (muscle-specific) effects are still being investigated.
CAUTION: Dogs may experience variable responses to valerian root, including paradoxical reactions such as increased agitation or anxiety in some cases.
Best practice approach:Use pre-formulated blends with established ratios. Commercial herbal combinations developed by herbalists contain balanced proportions of multiple calming herbs, and have been used in animals for years with few adverse effects. These are preferable to randomly combining individual tinctures or extracts.
Valerian helps by:
Reducing physical restlessness
Softening muscle tension
Overwhelm from too many stimuli
Supporting deeper relaxation in overstimulated dogs
Improving the ability to settle at night
Increasing tolerance to environmental noise
This makes Valerian especially helpful during fireworks, loud gatherings, or chaotic family days.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a beautifully uplifting, comforting herb. Its calming effect extends not only to the nervous system, but also to the digestive tract… an important connection for dogs who “feel stress in their stomach.”
Lemon balm works primarily by inhibiting GABA transaminase (GABA-T), the enzyme that breaks down GABA. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the brain's primary "brake pedal.
" It's a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that tells nerve cells to calm down and stop firing.
Lemon Balm is rich in compounds that gently modulate emotional tension:
● Rosmarinic acid
It is the predominant and most important active compound. Inhibits GABA-T (the enzyme that breaks down GABA), increasing GABA availability in the nervous system and promoting calmness. It produces anxiolytic effects through its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces stress-induced physiological responses, including salivary cortisol levels.
● Caffeic and chlorogenic acids
It provides antioxidant support for the nervous system: It crosses the blood-brain barrier to provide neuroprotective effects on brain tissue. It reduces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in the brain.
● Essential oils (citral, citronellal, geraniol)
Create its soothing aroma and support relaxation through the gut–brain axis: Monoterpenes including geraniol, citronellal, and citral have direct central nervous system calming effects.
They enter the body through the nasal cavity and activate sensory neurons in the olfactory bulb. This then communicates with the limbic system, which is the emotional centre of the brain.
They calm sympathetic overdrive while directly soothing gut spasms, effectively targeting
both the nervous system and digestive tract through vagal tone regulation.
The combination with valerian is supported by both scientific and clinical evidence. This makes lemon balm and valerian a particularly sensible choice for anxious dogs with digestive problems. They also belong to the calming herbs for dogs that have documented effects on both gastrointestinal balance and stress regulation.
If you prefer a ready-to-use blend, our Nagomi supplement combines all four calming herbs for dogs in one gentle, holistic formula suitable for periods of stress or overstimulation.
Lemon Balm can help ease:
Emotional agitation
Tension held in the digestive system
Overwhelm from too many stimuli
Sensitivity to household energy and excitement
Passionflower
Some dogs stay mentally “on duty” long after the day has ended. They monitor every sound, anticipate every change, or struggle to switch off before sleep. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) gently helps the brain shift out of this hyperaware mode. Making it another strong calming herb for dogs.
Active Constituents
Passionflower contains compounds that support emotional and cognitive balance:
● Flavonoids (vitexin, isovitexin, orientin)
These compounds bind to the benzodiazepine site on GABA(A) receptors (a different
location than where GABA itself binds), enhancing the brain's sensitivity to existing
GABA and promoting calming effects.
Let me explain this:
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the brain's primary "brake pedal." It's a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that tells nerve cells to calm down and stop firing.
And now think of a GABA receptor like a lock with three different keyholes:
- The GABA keyhole: where GABA itself fits and turns the lock (activates calmness)
- The benzodiazepine keyhole: a different entrance on the same lock
- Other keyholes: for other molecules
When passionflower's compounds (flavonoids and maltol) arrive, they don't use the GABA keyhole. Instead, they use the benzodiazepine keyhole. When passionflower turns that keyhole, something interesting happens: it makes the GABA keyhole MORE SENSITIVE and MORE RESPONSIVE. It's like turning up the volume on the "calm down" signal.
This means that the dog's natural GABA continues to function normally; passionflower simply enhances its effectiveness.
Passionflower may help dogs who:
React to every sound
Struggle to wind down before sleep
Appear mentally “stuck” in loops of worry
Become clingy or panicky in new situations
Remain hypervigilant during visitors or festivities
Chamomile
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is the most widely used plant in folk medicine worldwide.
And for good reason, because chamomile, with its high content of essential oils, is almost an all-rounder. It has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, as well as antibacterial and antiseptic qualities. It has a diuretic effect, promotes perspiration, relieves pain and promotes wound healing.
Last but not least, it promotes sleep and has a calming effect on the nerves. This makes chamomile one of the most versatile calming herbs for dogs, especially those needing gentle support for both body and mind.
Active Constituents
● Apigenin
It blocks anxiety and fear by enhancing GABA receptors, thereby amplifying the brain's
natural calming signals in a similar way to Passionflower flavonoids.
● Bisabolol & chamazulene
Both compounds have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and muscle-relaxant properties.
They also have antibacterial and antifungal properties.
● Flavonoids
Flavonoids reduce oxidative stress and support immune function. They also contribute to chamomile's anti-inflammatory effects.
Its action is both emotional and physical, making it a beautiful “harmoniser” in herbal blends.
Chamomile is especially helpful for dogs who:
Show stress through their gut (nausea, soft stools)
Tremble or show muscle tension
Become restless at night
Struggle to get physically comfortable
Calming Herbs for Dogs
Valerian, lemon balm, passionflower, and chamomile are among the most well-documented calming herbs for dogs, supporting both the nervous system and digestive balance.
These herbs are non-sedative, helping dogs shift out of a heightened stress state while promoting steady, calm behaviour.
When used together, they can create a synergistic effect, offering stronger and more holistic support than when used individually.
Calming herbs for dogs are especially helpful during high-stress periods, such as the holiday season, New Year’s Eve fireworks, visitors, or disrupted routines.
All four herbs have both traditional use and scientific support, and are generally safe when used responsibly and according to each dog’s needs.
For dog owners looking for a simple way to combine all four calming herbs for dogs, our Nagomi supplement offers valerian, lemon balm, passionflower and chamomile in one balanced formula.
1. Are calming herbs for dogs safe to use?
Yes, most calming herbs for dogs — such as valerian, lemon balm, chamomile and passionflower — are considered safe when used correctly. However, dogs with medical conditions or on medication should always be evaluated by a vet before starting herbal support.
2. How long does it take for calming herbs for dogs to work?
It depends on the herb. Some, like valerian and chamomile, can have a calming effect within 30–60 minutes, while others may work best when given daily for several days leading up to a stressful event, such as fireworks or holiday gatherings.
3. Can calming herbs for dogs be combined with each other?
Yes. Many herbs work even better together due to synergistic effects. For example, valerian and lemon balm complement each other and are often used together to support both the nervous system and digestion.
4. Can calming herbs for dogs be used during fireworks or the holiday season?
Absolutely. Calming herbs for dogs are especially helpful during loud or chaotic periods like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and family gatherings. They can help reduce overstimulation, ease tension, and support emotional balance.
Sources:
Caecilia Brendieck-Worm, Matthias F. Melzig “Phytotherapie in der Tiermedizin”
Volker Fintelmann, Rudolf Fritz Weiss, Kenny Kuchta “Lehrbuch Phytotherapie”
Ursel Buehring “”Lehrbuch Heilpflanzenkunde”
Valerenic acid potentiates and inhibits GABA(A) receptors: molecular mechanism and subunit specificity - PubMed
GABA A receptors as in vivo substrate for the anxiolytic action of valerenic acid, a major constituent of valerian root extracts - PubMed
Skeletal muscle relaxant effect of a standardized extract of Valeriana officinalis L. after acute administration in mice - PMC
Skeletal muscle relaxant effect of a standardized extract of Valeriana officinalis L. after acute administration in mice - PMC
Valerenic acid potentiates and inhibits GABA(A) receptors: molecular mechanism and subunit specificity - PubMed
Anxiolytic and antidepressive potentials of rosmarinic acid: A review with a focus on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects - ScienceDirect
Documents - Groupe Berkem
Chlorogenic Acid and Mental Diseases: From Chemistry to Medicine - PMC
Citrus Essential Oils in Aromatherapy: Therapeutic Effects and Mechanisms - PMC
Lemon balm | Herbs | Herbal Reality
Passiflora incarnata L. (Passionflower) extracts elicit GABA currents in hippocampal neurons in vitro, and show anxiogenic and anticonvulsant effects in vivo, varying with extraction method - ScienceDirect
Passiflora incarnata L. (Passionflower) extracts elicit GABA currents in hippocampal neurons in vitro, and show anxiogenic and anticonvulsant effects in vivo, varying with extraction method - PMC
Chamomile For Dogs: A Safe Way To Calm Anxiety | ZamiPet
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): 6 Soothing Reasons Why It's a Must-Have for Your Pet's Natural Medicine Cabinet - Holistic Vet in Scotland
The Author: Hanka Fahey
Vet.Surg. (FU Berlin 2001), certified nutritionist for dogs and cats, certified Veterinary Homeopath, double certified Phytotherapist (herbalist) for animals and humans, Member of CIVT (College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies)
