10 Plants to Improve Your Mental Health

Introduction :

Are you feeling stressed, anxious or feeling down? Nature has the solution! Certain plants, thanks to their calming and revitalizing properties, can truly transform your mental well-being. In this article, we will explore 10 plants with recognized virtues to help you regain serenity and balance.

Mental health is a state of well-being that allows us to face life's challenges, work efficiently and fully enjoy our relationships. Unfortunately, the hectic pace of our modern society can sometimes lead us to exhaustion. Fortunately, herbal medicine offers a natural alternative to take care of our emotional balance.

10 Plants for your Inner Balance.

1. Lavender (Lavandula)

An effective plant to improve stress reduction.

Known for its captivating scent, lavender is a true natural remedy for stress and insomnia. Its essential oil, when diffused in a room or used in massage, promotes relaxation and soothes nervous tension. A study has shown that inhaling lavender can reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality.

Lavender essential oil can also be used as an inhalation or in a warm bath.

Discover our lavender-based products to infuse (Herbal Teas).

Discover our Lavender essential oils.

2. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

To infuse for top serenity!

Chamomile is a plant with calming properties that have been recognized for centuries. Its infusion, enjoyed in the evening, promotes restful sleep and soothes digestive disorders often linked to stress. Research has demonstrated its anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects.

Discover chamomile infusions.

3. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Ginger, in addition to warming the body, has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce symptoms of depression. It is also beneficial for reducing fatigue and improving concentration.

You could add fresh ginger, grated in dishes or infused in hot water.

Discover our Ginger oils.

4. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)

Contributes to stress reduction.

Considered an adaptogenic plant, rhodiola helps the body better resist stress. It improves cognitive functions, reduces fatigue and promotes a general state of well-being. A huge plus in stress management.

Discover the best Rhodiola rosea supplement.

5. Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri)

A plant promoting relaxation and concentration.

Bacopa is a herb used in Ayurveda to improve cognitive functions. It can help strengthen memory, reduce anxiety disorder and improve concentration.

Discover the most recommended Bacopa supplement in stores.

6. St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Say goodbye to the effects of stress.

St. John's wort is a plant with yellow flowers that has long been recognized for its antidepressant properties. It is particularly effective in relieving the symptoms of mild to moderate depression. Its active compounds, hypericin and hyperforin, act on serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation.

Use: St. John's wort comes in the form of capsules, mother tincture or infusion. It is important to respect the dosage indicated on the packaging and to consult a health professional before any use, especially if taking medication (anticoagulants, contraceptive pill, etc.).

Caution: St. John's wort may increase sensitivity to the sun. It is therefore recommended to protect yourself from UV rays during treatment.

Discover all the products based on St. John's Wort

7. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

For an optimal mood!

Native to India, ashwagandha is one of the adaptogenic plants that helps the body better resist stress. It reduces cortisol, the stress hormone, and promotes a state of calm and relaxation. Ashwagandha is also beneficial for improving the quality of sleep and strengthening the immune system.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps the body better manage stress.

Usage: Ashwagandha comes in powder, capsule or tincture form. It can be added to smoothies, yogurt or taken with water.

Discover our Ashwagandha.

8. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

Virtues on the nervous system.

Lemon balm is an aromatic plant with calming and antispasmodic properties. It is particularly effective in reducing anxiety, reducing stress, palpitations and stress-related sleep disorders. Lemon balm contains active compounds that act on the central nervous system, promoting relaxation and well-being.

Use: Lemon balm is mainly consumed as an infusion. It can also be used in the form of essential oil for relaxing massages.

Discover our Melissa supplements.

Discover our lemon balm infusions.

9. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

An aid for mood and against fatigue.

Passionflower is a climbing plant with spectacular flowers. Its sedative properties make it a valuable ally in the fight against insomnia and anxiety. It promotes restful sleep and calms nervous disorders.

Use: Passionflower comes in the form of capsules, mother tincture or infusion. It can be combined with other plants with calming properties, such as valerian.

Discover the Passionflower extract.

10. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Beneficial effects on relaxation.

Valerian is a herb known for its sedative properties. It has been used for centuries to promote sleep and reduce anxiety. Valerian works by increasing levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve activity.

Use: Valerian comes in the form of capsules, mother tincture or dried roots for infusion. It is advisable to start with low doses and increase gradually.

Important: Before starting any herbal treatment, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional. Some plants can interact with medications and cause side effects.

The Valerian extract is here.

Bonus: What if we talked about Ginkgo?

Anxiety Reduction : Some studies show that ginkgo may help reduce symptoms of anxiety, especially for people who are sensitive to stress. By regulating blood flow and acting on neurotransmitters, it may promote a calmer state of mind.

Support in the management of symptoms of depression : Ginkgo may also be beneficial in relieving symptoms of mild depression, especially in older adults. Its action on blood circulation and its neuroprotective effect help improve mood.

Ginkgo may also improve memory and concentration.

Discover the Ginkgo Biloba product.

FAQ-Questions and answers about plants and mental health.

1-How to easily integrate plants into your daily life for a calming effect?

Plants can be incorporated into your routine in the form of herbal teas (chamomile, lemon balm), by diffusing essential oils (lavender), or by taking capsules suitable for easy and regular use.

2-What natural ingredients are recommended for daytime use without drowsiness?

Ginger and rhodiola, for example, support vitality and concentration without causing drowsiness, unlike more sedative herbs like valerian.

3-Can we use plants to improve resilience to daily stress?

Yes, adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola and ashwagandha build stress resilience by helping the body adapt to stressful situations, thereby reducing negative mental effects.

4-Are infusions effective in benefiting from the benefits of medicinal herbs?

Yes, infusions are an effective and simple way to consume plants with relaxing effects, such as chamomile and lemon balm. They allow the release of the active compounds in the plants, thus promoting a calming effect.

5-Can we combine several plants for enhanced effects?

Yes, some combinations can be beneficial. For example, chamomile and lemon balm in infusion for stress and sleep. However, avoid mixing too many plants with similar effects without medical advice.

6-Can herbal remedies replace medications for mental health?

Herbs can be a natural aid, but they should not replace treatment prescribed by a doctor, especially in the case of severe depression or anxiety. Rather, they are a complement to well-being.

Which plants can affect your concentration?

Practical Tips for Optimal Use

• Consult a healthcare professional : Before starting any new herbal treatment, it is important to seek the advice of a doctor, pharmacist or wellness professional, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or following medical treatment.
  
  

• Choose the right form : Plants can be consumed in the form of infusions, capsules, essential oil or mother tincture. Each of these forms has its advantages and disadvantages.
  
  

• Be patient : The beneficial effects of plants are not always immediate. It can take several days to several weeks to feel the first results.
  
  

• Combine plants with a healthy lifestyle : A balanced diet, regular physical activity and relaxation techniques (meditation, yoga) amplify the effects of plants on your well-being.
  
  

• Do not mix too many plants with the same purpose together.

Conclusion

Nature offers us a treasure trove of plants with soothing and revitalizing properties. By integrating these plants into your daily life, you will take a big step towards better psychological balance. Do not hesitate to explore the different possibilities offered by herbal medicine to find serenity and balance.

Our Full Relaxation complex is also worth mentioning, because it has its place in this subject and it is one of the best-selling supplements in stores!

Discover Full Relaxation!

Drug interactions: Be careful!

While herbs can be a great help in improving your mental well-being, it is crucial not to overlook the risk of interactions with certain medications. Indeed, certain herbs can potentiate or diminish the effect of drug treatments, or even cause unwanted side effects.

Plants to watch out for

Among the plants mentioned in this article, some require special attention when taking medication:

• St. John's Wort : This herb is known to interact with many medications, such as antidepressants, blood thinners, oral contraceptives, heart medications, HIV medications, cancer medications, immunosuppressants, and statins.

• Ginkgo : Ginkgo may interact with blood thinners, antiplatelet drugs, diabetes medications, and high blood pressure medications.

• Valerian : Valerian may potentiate the effect of barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and other sedatives.

• Ashwagandha : Ashwagandha may interact with immunosuppressants, thyroid medications, and sedatives.

• Lemon balm : Lemon balm may interact with sedatives.

sources of studies:

Sources: (1) Sayorwan, W. et al. (2013). The effects of lavender oil inhalation on emotional states, autonomic nervous system, and brain electrical activity. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, 96(4), 56-63.

(2) Srivastava, J.K., Shankar, E., & Gupta, S. (2010). Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Molecular Medicine Reports, 3(6), 895-901.

(3) Lopresti, AL, & Drummond, PD (2020). Efficacy of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in ameliorating biochemical and cognitive outcomes for mild to moderate depression, evidence from systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Nutrients, 12(1), 244.