MEDICINAL PLANTS AND MENTAL HEALTH: AN ANCIENT APPROACH TO MODERN PROBLEMS
Authors: Vijay Kumar Bansal, Rajesh Babu Vemula, Mohini Vishwas, Mohammad Junaid Alam Mansoori, Ayush Garg, Chetna Baregama, Yogesh Kumar Apurwa, Suresh Kumar Dev*, Akhil Mangal, Vaibhav Rathore
Publication Date: 2026/03/25
DOI: 10.59551/DOI: 10.59551/IJHMP/25832069/2026.7.1.105
Abstract
<p>The significant global health problems caused by mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline have led to a rise in interest in natural and holistic remedies. Medicinal herbs, with their extensive use in Ayurvedic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Native American healing practices, offer a promising remedy for these modern problems. This chapter explores the role of medicinal plants in mental health, focusing on their historical use, phytochemistry, pharmacological mechanisms, and clinical applications. Plants including ginkgo biloba, kava, valerian, ashwagandha, and St. John’s Wort have been used for thousands of years to promote relaxation, lower stress, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function. Recent research has identified important bioactive compounds that alter neurotransmitters, reduce inflammation, and protect the brain from oxidative stress. These consist of phenolic acids, f lavonoids, terpenoids, and alkaloids. Despite their potential, problems including potency fluctuations, safety concerns, and drug interactions must be fixed to ensure their effective and safe use. Research developments like metabolomics and neuroimaging are providing deeper insights into the mechanisms of action of these plants, even as efforts to standardize and regulate herbal products are improving their quality and consistency. Combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific methodologies has huge potential for developing novel plant-based remedies for mental health disorders. This chapter highlights the traditional benefits of medicinal plants for mental health and how they can provide safe, useful, and cost-effective solutions to some of the most significant mental health problems of our time.</p>
<p>KEYWORDS: Medicinal plants, Mental health disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Ayurvedic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).</p>
References
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