People have been using herbs for thousands of years to improve both physical and mental health. Since they’re a natural way to reduce stress, anxiety, or depression, they can be much better than pharmaceuticals.

Many medicines for mental health even come with severe side effects, such as addiction. So, it’s no wonder people are increasingly turning to herbs.

Here are some of the best herbal medicines you can use to improve mental health.

Chamomile

If you’ve ever tried chamomile tea, you certainly know how it can relax you. But sitting down to drink a hot cup of any tea can be very calming, so what’s so special about chamomile? Is it all just the placebo effect?

According to a 2012 exploratory study, chamomile may reduce the symptoms of depression, considerably more than a placebo.

A randomized clinical trial in 2016 revealed that long-term chamomile use could also help with generalized anxiety disorder, significantly alleviating moderate-to-severe symptoms.

Although more studies are needed to confirm the effects of chamomile for depression and anxiety, the herb looks promising.

The best thing is it couldn’t hurt to try. Make yourself a nice cup of chamomile tea every day, and see whether it makes you feel better. While you can find it prepackaged, using dried chamomile might be the best way to go.

Kratom

Several studies on kratom found that this herb may be an effective treatment for depression and anxiety.

That’s because it can stimulate the production of serotonin and dopamine, the happy hormones responsible for improving mood. In doing so, it can reduce stress and stress-associated depression and anxiety.

Its main active ingredient, mitragynine, is an alkaloid that can have mildly stimulating effects, which can also help combat depression and anxiety.

One systematic review on kratom and mental health confirmed that kratom might be able to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and boost mood.

More research is necessary, but available studies show great mental health benefits.

You can buy bulk kratom now if you’re interested in giving this promising herbal medicine a try. Just make sure you start with a small dose to avoid any potential side effects.

Lavender

Lavender may even be better for relaxation and reducing stress due to its great therapeutic effects. That’s one of the main reasons why spas use lavender oil regularly.

You can administer lavender topically (aromatherapy massage), or through steam inhalation. Its fragrance can help you unwind and feel better.

According to several clinical trials on lavender, this herb can significantly reduce anxiety in generalized anxiety disorder patients. It can also help with insomnia due to anxiety and generally improve your quality of life.

Another review of lavender studies arrived at the same conclusions, showing the herb’s promise to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and improve sleep.

Just like with chamomile, there aren’t too many studies on lavender for mental health. Still, you should try it to see for yourself if its fragrance and other properties would help you.

Ginseng

For millennia, people have been using ginseng to reduce stress, strengthen the immune system, boost energy and mood, and improve cognitive function.

One randomized controlled trial suggested that ginseng may improve cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

Thanks to its antioxidative properties, it may even help treat and prevent various neurodegenerative diseases, according to a 2016 research. However, more studies are required to definitively prove these findings.

Another recent study on ginseng found that this medicinal herb may help suppress the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It also showed that it might help prevent various stress-induced physiological problems, such as hormonal changes and the immune response.

If you decide to give ginseng a try, you can choose from many different options. You can use dried ginseng root to make tea, add it to cooked meals, or use various ginseng supplements.

If you’re going to use a supplement, make sure it comes from a reputable brand that uses ginseng in its products. There are known cases of supplement retailers that used to sell products with completely different ingredients than those advertised on the label.

Saffron

Commonly known as “red gold,” saffron is one of the most expensive spices on the planet. Rich in antioxidants, it’s known to improve mood and cognitive function.

Saffron can be an effective treatment for anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders, according to one non-systematic review of this herbal medicine and its active ingredients.

Another review of randomized clinical trials on saffron showed that this spice could be a great alternative to pharmaceuticals for treating depression, particularly major depressive disorder.

More studies are necessary for definitive proof, although saffron does look promising.

For the best results concerning your mental health, consider trying all of these medicinal herbs. They’re much better alternatives to conventional medicines, as they’ll provide you with a natural way to improve your mental health without any side effects.

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