A 2026 animal study found that an extract from Hemerocallis citrina, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, improved sleep quality in mice with perimenopausal insomnia symptoms. According to Gram Research analysis, mice receiving the highest dose showed significantly longer deep sleep periods, faster sleep onset, and fewer nighttime awakenings. The plant extract worked by altering brain proteins involved in serotonin and relaxation signaling. However, these results are from mice, not humans, so more research is needed before this treatment could be recommended for people
Researchers tested a natural plant extract from Hemerocallis citrina, a flower used in traditional Chinese medicine, to see if it could help with sleep problems during perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause). According to Gram Research analysis, the extract improved sleep quality in mice that had been given chemicals to mimic perimenopausal symptoms and insomnia. The study found that the plant worked by changing how certain brain chemicals function, particularly those involved in mood and relaxation. While these results are promising, the research was done in mice, so scientists will need to test whether the same benefits apply to humans.
Key Statistics
A 2026 animal study of 70 mice found that Hemerocallis citrina leaf extract improved sleep quality in mice with perimenopausal insomnia, with the strongest effects at the highest dose tested (40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight).
Research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showed that high-dose Hemerocallis citrina extract increased expression of sleep-promoting brain proteins 5-HT1AR and GABRA2 while decreasing ADCY5 and PKA in mice with perimenopausal insomnia.
In a 2026 mouse study, Hemerocallis citrina extract shortened the time it took mice to fall asleep and increased the duration of deep sleep (NREM sleep) compared to untreated mice with sleep disturbances.
A 2026 study of 70 female mice found that Hemerocallis citrina extract reduced nighttime awakenings and NREM-to-wake transitions in mice with perimenopausal insomnia symptoms, with effects comparable to the prescription sleep medication zopiclone.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether an extract from Hemerocallis citrina leaves (a traditional Chinese medicinal plant) could improve sleep problems in mice experiencing perimenopausal symptoms and insomnia
- Who participated: 70 female laboratory mice divided into seven groups, with 10 mice in each group. The mice were treated with chemicals to create symptoms similar to perimenopause and insomnia in humans
- Key finding: Mice treated with the highest dose of the plant extract showed significant improvements in sleep quality, including longer periods of deep sleep and fewer nighttime awakenings compared to untreated mice with sleep problems
- What it means for you: This research suggests that Hemerocallis citrina may eventually help people with perimenopausal sleep problems, but much more research is needed before it could be recommended as a treatment. The findings are preliminary and based on animal studies, not human trials
The Research Details
Scientists created a mouse model of perimenopausal insomnia by first giving mice a chemical called VCD to trigger menopause-like changes, then giving them another chemical called PCPA to cause sleep disturbances. They then divided 70 female mice into seven groups: a healthy control group, a control group that also received the plant extract, a disease model group, three groups receiving different doses of the plant extract (10, 20, and 40 milligrams per kilogram of body weight), and a group receiving zopiclone, a common sleep medication used as a comparison.
The researchers tracked sleep using multiple methods. They observed the mice’s behavior and measured how long it took them to fall asleep after receiving a sedative drug. They also used specialized equipment called polysomnography to record brain waves and muscle activity throughout the day and night, which allowed them to measure different types of sleep and wake patterns. They collected tissue samples to examine under a microscope and measured levels of various chemicals in the blood and brain.
To understand how the plant extract worked at a molecular level, the scientists used advanced techniques to identify which genes were turned on or off in the brain, analyzed the composition of bacteria in the gut, and measured changes in metabolic compounds in the blood. This multi-layered approach helped them understand not just whether the plant worked, but how it might be working in the body.
Using multiple measurement methods and analyzing changes at different biological levels (brain chemistry, gene expression, gut bacteria, and blood metabolites) provides a more complete picture of how a treatment works. This comprehensive approach helps researchers understand whether improvements in sleep are due to direct effects on the brain or indirect effects through other body systems. Testing in a carefully controlled animal model allows scientists to establish whether a traditional remedy has real biological effects before investing time and money in human trials
This study used a well-established mouse model and multiple objective measures of sleep quality rather than relying only on self-reported sleep. The researchers included appropriate control groups and used a standard sleep medication as a comparison point. However, the study was conducted only in mice, not humans, so results may not directly translate to people. The sample size of 10 mice per group is typical for preliminary animal research but is relatively small. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, which means other experts reviewed the methods and findings before publication
What the Results Show
The plant extract significantly improved sleep in the mice with perimenopausal insomnia symptoms, with the strongest effects seen at the highest dose tested (40 milligrams per kilogram). Mice receiving this high dose showed several improvements: they fell asleep faster, spent more time in deep sleep (called NREM sleep), had fewer nighttime awakenings, and showed sleep patterns that more closely resembled healthy control mice.
When researchers examined brain tissue, they found that the plant extract changed the levels of four key proteins involved in sleep and mood regulation. The extract increased levels of a protein called 5-HT1AR, which is involved in serotonin signaling (a brain chemical linked to mood and sleep), and GABRA2, which helps the brain relax. At the same time, it decreased levels of ADCY5 and PKA, proteins involved in a different signaling pathway. These changes suggest the plant works by adjusting how brain chemicals communicate with each other.
The researchers also found changes in the mice’s gut bacteria composition and in various metabolic compounds in their blood after treatment with the plant extract. Interestingly, the analysis suggested that steroid biosynthesis (the body’s production of steroid hormones) was affected by the treatment, which makes sense given that hormonal changes are central to perimenopause. The mice’s circadian rhythm (their internal 24-hour clock) also appeared to be affected by the treatment.
Beyond the primary sleep improvements, mice treated with the plant extract showed better performance on behavioral tests designed to measure mood and anxiety. The extract also improved various blood markers related to hormonal and metabolic health. The gut microbiota changes suggest that the plant may work partly through effects on the bacteria that live in the digestive system, which are increasingly recognized as important for brain health and sleep. The changes in brain gene expression patterns indicated that the plant extract influenced multiple interconnected biological pathways rather than just a single target
Previous research had shown that Hemerocallis citrina flowers have traditional use for sleep problems in Chinese medicine and that extracts from this plant have antidepressant and neuroprotective effects in other studies. This research extends those findings by specifically testing the plant in a model of perimenopausal insomnia, a condition that hasn’t been thoroughly studied with this plant before. The molecular targets identified (particularly the serotonergic pathway) align with how some existing sleep medications work, suggesting the plant may operate through similar but distinct mechanisms. The multi-omics approach (examining multiple biological systems simultaneously) is more sophisticated than most previous studies of this plant
The most important limitation is that this research was conducted only in mice, not humans. Mice and humans have different biology, and a treatment that works in mice doesn’t always work in people. The study used a composite model combining two different chemicals to create perimenopausal symptoms, which may not perfectly replicate the natural condition in humans. The sample size of 10 mice per group is relatively small for detecting subtle effects. The study didn’t follow the mice long-term to see if benefits persisted over time. The researchers identified many molecular changes but couldn’t definitively prove which changes were most important for the sleep improvement. Finally, this was a single study from one research group, so the findings need to be confirmed by other independent researchers before drawing firm conclusions
The Bottom Line
Based on this animal research, Hemerocallis citrina extract shows promise for perimenopausal sleep problems, but it is not yet ready for human use. Before anyone should consider using this plant extract, human clinical trials are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness. If you’re experiencing perimenopausal sleep problems, talk with your doctor about proven treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, hormone therapy, or FDA-approved sleep medications. Confidence level: Low to Moderate (this is preliminary animal research)
This research is most relevant to: researchers studying traditional Chinese medicine and sleep disorders, pharmaceutical companies looking for new drug leads, women experiencing perimenopausal insomnia who are interested in natural approaches, and healthcare providers treating sleep problems in midlife women. This research should NOT be used to self-treat perimenopausal insomnia at this time, as human safety and effectiveness data are not yet available
In this mouse study, improvements in sleep were observed within the timeframe of the treatment period (typically a few weeks in mouse studies). If this plant extract eventually moves to human trials and proves effective, it would likely take several months to see noticeable benefits, similar to other sleep treatments. However, this timeline is speculative since human studies haven’t been conducted yet
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Hemerocallis citrina to treat my perimenopausal sleep problems?
Not yet based on current evidence. While a 2026 mouse study showed promise, human clinical trials haven’t been conducted. Talk to your doctor about proven treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, hormone therapy, or FDA-approved medications before trying any herbal remedies
How does Hemerocallis citrina improve sleep according to this research?
The plant extract appears to work by changing how brain chemicals communicate. It increased proteins involved in serotonin signaling and relaxation (5-HT1AR and GABRA2) while decreasing proteins in another signaling pathway (ADCY5 and PKA). It may also work through effects on gut bacteria and hormone production
Is this research applicable to humans or just mice?
This research was conducted only in mice, not humans. While the findings are interesting, they don’t directly prove the plant works the same way in people. Human clinical trials would be needed to establish safety and effectiveness before recommending it for perimenopausal insomnia
What is Hemerocallis citrina and where does it come from?
Hemerocallis citrina is a flowering plant native to Asia with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s documented in Chinese medicinal material standards and has traditionally been used to treat sleep disturbances, particularly reduced or disturbed nighttime sleep
How does this plant extract compare to prescription sleep medications?
In this mouse study, the high-dose plant extract showed sleep improvements comparable to zopiclone, a prescription sleep medication. However, this doesn’t mean it would work the same way in humans. The plant extract worked through different brain mechanisms than most conventional sleep drugs
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track sleep quality metrics daily: record time to fall asleep, number of nighttime awakenings, total sleep duration, and subjective sleep quality rating (1-10 scale). This creates a baseline for comparison if you’re monitoring any sleep interventions with your doctor’s guidance
- If this research eventually leads to a human treatment, users could log their perimenopausal symptoms alongside sleep data to identify patterns. The app could send reminders to maintain consistent sleep schedules and track how lifestyle factors (exercise, stress, temperature) correlate with sleep quality during the perimenopausal transition
- Establish a 4-week baseline of sleep metrics before starting any new treatment, then continue tracking for at least 8-12 weeks to assess whether improvements occur. Use the app’s trend analysis to visualize changes in sleep latency, sleep duration, and awakenings over time. Share this data with your healthcare provider to inform treatment decisions
This article summarizes animal research on Hemerocallis citrina and should not be interpreted as medical advice or a recommendation to use this plant extract for treating sleep problems. The study was conducted in mice, not humans, and results may not apply to people. If you’re experiencing perimenopausal insomnia, consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, including herbal supplements. Some herbal products can interact with medications or cause side effects. Do not use this information to replace professional medical diagnosis or treatment. The findings presented are preliminary and require confirmation through human clinical trials before any therapeutic claims can be made
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.