[toc]Mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder and panic attacks are a hazard faced by many persons in these stressful times. Due to various reasons such as genetic factors as well as exposure to tensions and stressors, mental pathology is being increasingly observed in people of all ages nowadays. Herbs use the healing power of nature to restore mental balance and emotional stability to a person.
Herbal remedies for mental health disorders include St. John’s Wort, Chamomile, Valerian, Ginseng, Kava, Winter Cherry, Ginkgo Biloba, Chinese Skullcap, Meadow Sweet, Bacopa, Hops, Passionflower and Licorice. Herbal remedies are very effective in soothing the troubled mind and restoring emotional equilibrium and cognitive clarity to the mental health patient. Some of the top herbal remedies for mental health disorders are discussed in this article. Do consult a doctor before trying any of these herbal remedies.
Herbal Remedies For Mental Health Disorders
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is a well known herbal remedy for depression. It helps to restore the mental stability to the person and enhances mood states as well. It is especially effective for lifting a person out of depressed and unhappy moods. St. John’s Wort is also an effective remedy for mental health disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder and phobias.
You can take this herbal remedy in the form of extracts or supplements for best results. This herb is also available in capsule or tablet form. This herbal remedy is also helpful for mental health patients because it wards off insomnia and restlessness at night caused due to mental agitation. This herb is beneficial in such cases because it is a natural sedative.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a nervine herb and it is also a relaxant and sedative. It wards off anxious mood states and prevents anxiety and panic in patients. This is why it is a very good remedy for those with mental disorders such as anxiety attacks, panic attacks and phobias. Chamomile soothes the mind and relaxes the body. It also promotes sound, restful sleep at night which is essential for retaining mental clarity.
Chamomile tea can be prepared and consumed by mental health patients for quick yet lasting relief from the symptoms of the disorder they have. You can brew the tea using dried Chamomile leaves and add honey or a natural sweetener to this tea. Chamomile tea should be consumed 2 to 3 times in the day at least for best results.
Kava
Kava has been used to prepare ceremonial drinks in the South Pacific Islands and this herb is well known as a cure for extreme fear and anxiety. Kava leaves contain antioxidants which restores mental balance to the patient. Phobias and panic attacks can be treated using this herb. You can steep the leaves of this herb in hot water for about 20 minutes.
Following this, use a strainer for obtaining the liquid that the herb’s leaves are soaked in. Drink this liquid regularly for getting the health benefits of this remedy. You can also add crushed Kava leaves to tea and hot drinks and consume these for good results. Kava is a natural sedative and adaptogen which lowers stress levels in persons who have mental illnesses.
Valerian
The root of this herb has sedative properties. This makes it a very effective herbal remedy for treating mental health disorders. One of the key symptoms that almost all mental health patients suffer from is disturbed sleep. To restore sleep patterns to their normalcy, you can take Valerian root extract or even soak the root in hot water and drink the water for best results.
Valerian root also has the ability to relax the body and calm the inner mind. It is useful for patients suffering from anxiety disorders, panic states and even phobic disorders. It can also soothe people with bipolar disorder and mania. This herbal remedy is best when combined with nervine herbs like Chamomile.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a popular herb for relieving the fatigue and anxiety in persons suffering from mental health disorders. Ginseng can be taken in the form of an extract or supplement for best results. Ginseng insulates a person against physical as well as mental stressors. It is very effective for curing the lethargy experienced by depressed persons.
It can also boost activity levels and alertness in schizophrenic persons and restore cognitive clarity to person suffering from emotional disturbances. Ginseng raises the energy levels of the body and also activates anxiety relieving processes in the body. It is quite a useful remedy for a variety of mental health disorders.
Gingko Biloba
Gingko Biloba has been used for decades in ancient Chinese medicine for restoring health and vitality to the body and mind. This herb can be taken in supplement, extract, capsule or tincture form for relieving fatigue and listlessness in depressed and schizophrenic patients.
It is also very helpful in improving the circulation of the body. This alleviates thought disturbances and disorderly thinking in persons suffering from mental health disorders, by increasing the flow of blood and nutrients to the brain. This herbal remedy restores cognitive clearness and ensures that a person who has a mental disease becomes more active and regains his or her vitality.
Passionflower
Passiflora Incarnata or Passionflower is a very good herbal remedy for person suffering from anxiety attacks and psychosis. This is because it lowers the blood pressure and calms a person. It can be very useful in combating mood swings and physiological symptoms of mental illnesses such as extreme tension, bodily rigidity and sweating palms and feet.
Passionflower tea should be consumed regularly for getting relief from such mental health problems as emotional instability and mental agitation. Passionflower tea can be made from the dried leaves of this herb. You can boil the leaves in water and let the tea simmer for about 10 minutes. Then add natural sweeteners such as honey and Stevia leaves. You must drink this tea regularly for benefits.
Lavender
Lavender is also known by its b. One of the main benefits of this herb is its ability to soothe the person suffering from a mental ailment. Lavender oil is very effective for improving the circulation and easing the tense muscles that accompany mental illnesses. It also calms the mind. You can mix Lavender oil with some Olive oil and heat this oil mixture slightly. You can then use this mixture oil to massage your body.
Using this oil regularly will help to lower your stress levels and lift you out of depressed or anxious mood states. You can also take steam inhalation by adding a few drops of Lavender oil in a vaporizer and breathing the hot steam that emerges. Lavender oil is very good for calming panicky an phobic mood states as well in persons who have a mental health disorder.
