Essential Herbs To Save Your Mental Health
Introduction
The drastic change in our lifestyles has negatively impacted our mental health in recent years. With little or less attention paid to mental health, issues like insomnia, anxiety, depression have crept in, and the majority of the population today is impacted by one of these mental health issues.
As per a survey done by Mental Health America, 19.00% of adults experience a mental illness. Equivalent to over 47 million Americans, which is worrisome. A growing percentage of youth in the U.S. live with major depression.
According to MSA, 15.08% of young people experienced a major depressive episode in the past years when the world came to a standstill and dealt with an unprecedented pandemic. Covid- 19 further deteriorated the situation and led to a surge in mental health cases around the globe. In such cases, herbs such as Delta 8 and its products like Delta 8 cartridge can be of great help!
Importance Of Mental Health
According to the definition propagated by WHO, sound mental health is a state where a person recognizes their potential to cope with the everyday stresses of life and work productively and can effectively contribute to the community.
The state of our mental health can significantly impact our day-to-day life. It can negatively affect our mood, thinking capacity, our ability to deal with stress, and one can also witness a behavioral change. Thus, mental health focuses on emotional, psychological, biological & social well-being.
With the stigma prevalent in our society related to mental health, there’s a need like never before to discuss this issue and educate more people on how critical taking care of one’s mental health is. It enhances productivity, improves our self-esteem & boosts our confidence. Sound mental health leads to healthy relationships, helps us perform effectively & comfortably in our day-to-day lives, & helps us to tackle any inconvenience in our daily lives. It also helps us with physical issues that result from underlying mental health issues.
For instance, stress can lead to increased blood pressure and chest pains, so working on mental health can prove beneficial in tackling, to some extent, our physical health issues.
Herbs And Mental Health
Medications and counseling are the conventional and most recommended treatment for mental health issues. Still, certain herbs have also proven beneficial and help people cope with issues related to mental health. Further this article, we will be discussing herbs that help in curing mental health-related issues-
1. Delta 9 – Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol is a cannabinoid molecule in marijuana (cannabis). Some studies show that THC stimulates appetite, decreases nausea, and may reduce pain and inflammation. If taken in small quantities as prescribed, it isn’t very sure to result in a high feeling and cause side effects. There has been an emphasis on the part of experts: that a small THC amount is essential for the effectiveness of CBD. CBD can be an excellent option to treat anxiety and positively affect social anxiety disorder (SAD) patients. Some of the diseases that THC may help cope with are as follows – Anxiety, Depression, Post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD), Migraines, Insomnia, Seizures, etc.
2. Turmeric -(Curcuma Longa) A bright yellow powdery substance is an edible root often used in Asian cuisine. For centuries, turmeric has been an essential herb in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown how it treats psychiatric disorders. According to James Phelps, evidence has suggested that inflammation is a critical mediator in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. A compound named Curcumin comes after crushing the root of the turmeric plant. In recent years Curcumin has been a relatively discussed component that treats Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
3. Saffron – Depression and anxiety are the two most common mental health disorders that plague most people. Still, the available treatments, psychotherapy, antidepressants, drugs, etc., are not economical and have side effects. The use of saffron to counter anxiety and depression is rising because of its efficacy and minimal to no side effects. Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a plant that contains chemicals that might alter mood, kill cancer cells, decrease swelling, and act as antioxidants. As per the survey conducted by Drs. Anton and Hausenblas, who serve as scientific advisors and consultants for ReBody, LLC, Saffron, have effectively reduced depression symptoms.
4. Rhodiola – A herb that grows in the cold mountainous regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. It has been used historically in the form of a Eurasian traditional tonic referred to as ‘adaptogen. ‘Rhodiola Rosea effectively treats a wide range of conditions, such as stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment. It also improves mental performance and physical fitness. It positively affects neurotransmitters which in turn balance the mood and emotions. Rhodiola can be used to combat anxiety within 30 minutes of its consumption; it will act on the body’s stress system (Sympathy Adrenal System) and will provide rapid relief.
5. Ashwagandha – (scientific name: Withania somnifera)An evergreen shrub that grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. It is a crucial herb in Ayurveda and has been used for centuries to relieve stress and reduce anxiety. Studies have shown that it can also help reduce symptoms of other mental health issues like depression. There is not much scientific research done to support the claim that Ashwagandha can completely cure problems related to mental health. But for a long time, it has been used for conditions like insomnia, aging, anxiety, and many others. As per the research done, Ashwagandha may help improve the condition of patients who have bipolar disorder.
Conclusion
Sound mental health can preserve a person’s ability to enjoy life. Doing this will help one achieve a striking balance between life activities, responsibilities, physical fitness, and protection from not all but many illnesses. The lack of knowledge available about mental health issues and negligence on the part of the patient can lead to worsening mental health conditions. Hence, it is essential to understand the symptoms of mental health diseases, and we must take steps to prevent further damage. Consultation with the physician and proper medication can help avoid further deterioration of health.
