Valerian has been used to ease insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness since the second century A.D., and grew especially popular in Europe in the 17th century.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) was used traditionally in the Americas and later in Europe as a "calming" herb for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and hysteria. It is still used today to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver and gall bladder problems.