When worries, depression, and stress are bothering you, try some remedies that can improve your mood. Some plants have been shown to be effective in reducing emotional disturbances and you can consume them when you are depressed.
St John
Used for centuries for various health problems, St. John’s wort helps to combat depression. One of the plant’s compounds, hyperforin, has antidepressant and calming action. St. John’s wort is indicated in mild to moderate depression, not in severe forms. It is good to know that the plant may interact with some oral contraceptives, antivirals, anticoagulants and synthetic antidepressants.
The plant is administered as an infusion, for the preparation of which you need 25 g of dried St. John’s wort (or 35 g of fresh) in 500 ml of water. You can consume 2 cups of infusion per day.
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Passion flower
Also known as passionflower, this medicinal plant is renowned for its benefits in improving mental health, reducing emotional disturbances, and combating anxiety and stress. The plant also helps with insomnia and reduces the symptoms of menopause. It is rich in tannins, flavonoids, coumarin and glycine, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. It is not indicated for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children under 6 years of age or people undergoing surgery. Passion flower can be administered in the form of infusion, tincture, capsules (1 per day). The infusion is prepared from 2 teaspoons of the plant in 200 ml of water and left to infuse for 15 minutes. Drink 2 cups a day, preferably in the afternoon and evening.
Roine
Considered a natural sedative, rhinitis improves psycho-emotional state, calms nervousness, agitation, and reduces anxiety. To benefit from these effects, you can try the infusion of rhubarb obtained from 2 teaspoons of the plant in 1 cup with 200 ml of boiled water. Let it infuse for 5-10 minutes. Against insomnia, nervousness or agitation, you can massage your arms and temples with a few drops of rosemary essential oil dissolved in a little vegetable oil. The consumption of rhubarb has no side effects in the recommended doses, however the plant is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating mothers.
For a more pronounced effect in improving the psycho-emotional state, you can associate roinita with St. John’s wort and passion flower.
Valerian
Renowned for its anxiolytic effects (against anxiety), valerian is also beneficial in sleep disorders caused by stress, thanks to its sedative action. It is also indicated in case of hypertension that occurred due to stress, nervousness, depression and neuralgia. The infusion of valerian, obtained from a tablespoon of the plant in 200 ml of boiling water, is drunk in the evening, to promote sleep. For emotional and neuro-mental balance, you can also try valerian tincture: take 20-25 drops diluted in 100 ml of water 3 times a day.
Hops
The basic ingredient in beer, hops is also a valuable medicinal plant. From time immemorial, hop cones have been used for sedative action. Hops are indicated for reducing nerve excitability, the plant also has antispasmodic, diuretic and astringent effects. For the calming action, the infusion obtained from a tablespoon and a half of hop cones in 200 ml of hot water is recommended. Drink throughout the day in 3 installments.
