Medicinal plants used for anxiety, depression, or stress treatment : an update

Kenda, Maša (author), Kočevar Glavač, Nina (author), Nagy, Milan (author), Sollner Dolenc, Marija (author)

Depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental disorders, which are on the rise worldwide, are indications that pharmacological therapy can have serious adverse effects, which is why many patients prefer to use herbal products to treat these symptoms. Here, we reviewed plants and products derived from them that are commonly used for the above indications, focusing on clinical data and safety profiles. While lavender, hops, maypop, lemon balm, and valerian have consistently been shown in clinical trials to relieve mild forms of neurological disorders, particularly depression, anxiety, and stress, currently available data do not fully support the use of peppermint for anxiety disorders and depression. Recent studies support the use of saffron for depression; however, its toxicological profile raises safety concerns. St. John’s wort is effective in alleviating mild to moderate depression; however, careful use is necessary particularly due to possible interactions with other drugs. In conclusion, more studies are needed to validate the mechanism of action so that these plants can be used successfully and safely to alleviate or eliminate various mental disorders.

• Language: English
• Keywords: central nervous system, depression, anxiety, insomnia, medicinal plants
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.02 - Review Article
• Organization: FFA - Faculty of Pharmacy
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Publication date: 01.01.2022
• Year: 2022
• Number of pages: 20 str., art. 6021
• Numbering: Vol. 27, iss. 18
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-140596
• UDC: 582:615.322
• ISSN on article: 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules27186021
• COBISS.SI-ID: 121583363
• Publication date in RUL: 16.09.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Molecules
• Shortened title: Molecules
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1420-3049
• COBISS.SI-ID: 18462981

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 16.09.2022

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: centralni živčni sistem, anksioznost, zdravilne rastline, depresija (medicina), nespečnost

Projects

• Funder: Other - Other funder or multiple funders
• Funding programme: Erasmus+Programme
• Project number: 2020‐1‐CZ01‐KA203‐078218