Gelsemium, derived from the plant Gelsemium sempervirens (commonly known as yellow jasmine), has a long history of use in traditional herbal and homeopathic medicine, particularly for its purported calming and sedative effects. Historically, it has been employed for conditions related to anxiety, nervousness, and tension, often in the context of muscle tension, headaches, and general nervous excitement. In homeopathy, highly diluted preparations of Gelsemium are widely used for symptoms described as tension, including anticipatory anxiety and performance-related stress.

However, scientific evidence supporting Gelsemium’s efficacy for treating tension is extremely limited. A few preclinical studies suggest that certain alkaloids in Gelsemium may interact with neurotransmitter systems in the central nervous system, potentially producing mild anxiolytic or muscle relaxant effects in animal models. Nonetheless, robust human clinical trials are lacking, and the majority of supporting claims come from traditional use and anecdotal reports rather than rigorous scientific validation. Additionally, the use of Gelsemium in non-homeopathic (i.e., pharmacologically active) doses carries significant risk due to its toxicity. As a result, while traditional and homeopathic practices continue to recommend Gelsemium for tension, there is minimal scientific evidence to justify its effectiveness or safety for this purpose.