Healing Herbs for Better Mental Health
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| Healing Herbs for Better Mental Health |
We always read about the importance of physical health and
staying in good shape, but we often ignore the other significant side of our
well-being, which is mental health. Today, mental disorders like depression,
anxiety, insomnia, dementia, and others are more common and serious risks than
ever.
The good news is that treatments for such conditions are
widely available, and once people encourage themselves to seek help, they
usually end up with psychiatric medications with the many unpleasant side
effects and other disadvantages they usually come with.
Fortunately, there are many alternative natural remedies
that can help you improve your mental well-being and reduce the symptoms of
mental illness to some degree. Although herbal remedies may not work for
everyone, they are still a highly recommended first line of treatment. Here are
some of the best herbs you can use to enhance your mental health.
1. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) - This
safe herb is often used to fight insomnia, depression, nervousness and
headaches. Lemon balm soothes the nervous system gently, yet effectively.
Scientific studies have found that its extract can have anti-depressant and
anti-anxiety-like effects, which helps people reduce stress levels and improve
mood. Furthermore, lemon balm promotes relaxation and helps people sleep
better, which is why it is widely popular as a natural remedy to treat
insomnia. Nevertheless, because of its sedative effects, lemon balm should be
used with caution.
2. St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) -
This herb is widely studied and one of the most accepted herbs when it comes to
mood disorders, especially mild to moderate depression. In fact, some people
are able to use St. John's Wort instead of synthetic antidepressants very
effectively and without the several annoying side effects of prescription
drugs. There are, however, some reported unwanted effects of this herb, such as
sleeplessness or insomnia. For that reason, in case you notice any unpleasant
changes in your overall well-being after you start with St. John's Wort, it
might not be the right antidepressant for you.
3. Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius or Panax
ginseng) - This herb is globally used to increase mental endurance and
improve attention and memory. Additionally, it is used to boost mood, ease
anxiety, and improve physical performance and energy. Panax ginseng has many
uses in traditional medicine and it has been clinically proven to have many
health benefits. But, make sure you buy high-quality Asian (Korean) red ginseng
as this variety provides the most benefits.
4. Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) - This herb
works as a sedative and is most often used to help people relax without
negatively affecting their mental clarity. In fact, it is one of the best
remedies used to relieve anxiety and nervousness in social settings; it doesn't
overly sedate you, so you can still be friendly and outgoing. Kava Kava can
treat insomnia and migraines, and it is also a pain reliever.
5. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) - This
plant has mild narcotic properties which can promote better sleep and
relaxation. Without a good night's sleep, memory and mental acuity eventually
degrade, so passionflower improves overall brain health and performance. In
some cases it may be helpful for treating daytime anxiety too. Passionflower is
usually encapsulated, made into tincture or brewed into tea.
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