7 Herbs that can Treat Mental Health

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While studies report that one in five people aged between 13 to 18 suffers from mental health issues, individuals from any age group can face this condition that changes an individual’s mental well-being.

Some common mental health symptoms include:

• A sense of hopelessness
• Lethargy
• Low energy
• Indulging in excessive smoking and drinking
• Staying away from people that affects relationships
• Persistent thoughts of self-harm

Patients with mental issues continue taking prescribed medications to better cope with their mental condition. With changing times, herbal remedies are increasing in popularity, and people are looking for natural methods for healing the symptoms of mental disorders.

Herbal remedies use plant-based substances as medicines to cure diseases and prevent many health ailments. They are available in the form of teas, capsules, creams, oils, and dietary supplements.

Here are seven herbal remedies to relieve mental health problems:

1. Chamomile

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Chamomile is a popular herbal remedy, and its use dates back to Germany and Rome. Although this flower is widely used as a calming agent and to induce sleep, a few studies indicate chamomile’s psychotropic effects.

The physiological processes linked with anxiety involves alterations in the neuroendocrine systems. Human studies illustrate that chamomile consists of flavonoids that exert anxiolytic traits that can significantly reduce the signs of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Additionally, a 2012 study stated that participants, after taking chamomile, showed a considerable reduction in the symptoms of depression compared to taking a placebo.

Chamomile’s sleep-inducing properties also help to effectively reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. A report showed that the participants who drank this herbal tea helped them fall asleep in a short time. Chamomile essential oil can also be inhaled to relieve anxiety and depression.

2. Cannabis

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Cannabis is becoming very popular due to its therapeutic nature and benefits.

According to studies, cannabis might help in relieving stress and anxiety. CBD, one of the components of this plant, can interact with the ECS, which helps improve mental well-being without causing a ‘high.’ It’s available in various forms like tinctures, CBD oil, and CBD gummies, which makes it easy to consume and while providing good results combating stress and anxiety. Seeds that we recommend for stress are white widow marijuana seeds and sour diesel marijuana seeds. For more insight on various CBD products, vaping tips and tricks, cannabis growing hacks, read this.

3. Lavender

This herb is known for its medicinal and culinary purposes since ancient times. Traditionally, people have used lavender to treat infections, skin conditions, hair conditions, and muscle spasms. Its most popular form of usage is as an oil, and many have used it for its fragrance that stimulates calming sensations. Lavender oil also helps to achieve quality sleep and manage anxiety.

According to a 2013 report, lavender can have a significant impact on overcoming anxiety and enhancing sleep. In fact, Lavender oil showed sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects in mice. Many clinical studies implied that continuous exposure to this oil showed enhancements in sleep quality while relieving restlessness, mood changes, and distress.

4. Ginseng

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Ginseng is another popular herb known for boosting energy, promoting relaxation, and regulating cholesterol levels with remarkable benefits for the brain. It consists of ginsenosides that have neuroprotective properties that work effectively in managing and preventing neurological damage in people with Alzheimer’s and symptoms of depression.

According to a 2018 journal, ginsenosides can help to induce sleep and enhance memory power. Another study conducted on 70 patients who have schizophrenia found that ginseng helped reduce psychosis, oxidative stress, and created improved memory.

This herbal supplement also has neuroprotective properties that protect brain cells, reduce inflammation, enhance cognitive functions, and effectively counter strokes, depression, and Parkinson’s disease.

5. Valerian

This centuries-old flowering herb is known to improve sleep. The roots of the valerian plant contain many components like Valeria, which hold strong sedative attributes and help overcome anxiety.

Valerian modifies the GABA receptors, a neurotransmitter that controls nerve impulses in the nervous system. A decline in GABA levels can cause stress leading to anxiety and poor sleep. Research shows that Valerenic acid restrains the decrease of GABA in the brain, inducing calm, peaceful emotions, and treats mild insomnia.

A PubMed abstract suggests that ingesting valerian helped maintain the serotonin in the brain, which improved the stress responses.

6. Saffron

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This perennial herb happens to be a spice and also offers several medicinal properties. Saffron comes from the flower’s stigma and is harvested by hand, which makes it the most costly flavoring in the world. A PubMed study states that saffron supplementation can be an effective way to improve the symptoms of depression-affected patients. Unlike the conventional treatments with side-effects, using a small dose (30 mg) of saffron can effectively reduce depression, just like prescribed medications.

Research also confirms that saffron has significant antioxidant traits containing crocin and crocetin that give saffron its red color. These antioxidants have antidepressant qualities to help prevent memory loss, learning impairment, in addition to controlling appetite and aid with weight loss. Regular intake of saffron can even elevate moods, improve cognitive strengths, and protect brain cells from the damages of oxidative stress.

7. Kava

Kava, a plant that grows in the Pacific Islands, is known to be used as a herbal remedy. Meaning ‘intoxicating pepper,’ kava affects the brain to provide calm, relaxed, and happy feelings.

Research shows kava contains kavalactones that work as an anti-anxiety remedy. It is suggested to take Kava supplements with a minimum of 200 mg of kavalactones for at least five weeks for noticeable results.

Another experiment has shown that kava can alleviate sleep disturbance caused by anxiety. Taking kava extract for a month can reduce sleep issues and normalize sleep patterns.

Conclusion All the above are the seven herbs that can improve mental conditions. Most believe that since herbal remedies are plant-based, they are the safest compared to psychiatric drugs, but they can also cause side effects by interacting with other medications. Therefore, take any herbal remedy only after consulting with a doctor.

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