John's wort is effective in alleviating mild to moderate depression; however, careful use is necessary particularly due to possible interactions with other drugs.
Plants can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression
A 2007 study found a bacterium in plant soil called Mycobacterium vaccae that triggers the release of serotonin, which lifts mood and reduces anxiety. Therefore, interaction with indoor or outdoor plants can alleviate symptoms of depression.
Monstera or Swiss Cheese plant can boost your mood and purify the air, thus making your home a healthy place to live in. The ideal growing conditions for Monstera are humid environments, away from direct sunlight.
The greatest concentration of serotonin in plants has been found in walnuts and hickory. In pineapples, banana, kiwi fruit, plums and tomatoes the concentration of serotonin is around 3 to 30 mg/kg. In general, vegetables contain moderate levels of serotonin, at around 0.1 to 3 mg/kg.
Jasmine - The calming scent of jasmine provides therapeutic benefits. Jasmine is often infused into medicinal alternatives for conditions like depression, stress, anxiety, and even insomnia. Chamomile - Chamomile is another well-known plant lauded for its relaxation benefits.
Plants Boost Your Mental Health
Surrounding yourself with plants indoors helps to trigger the same chemical response in our brain on a smaller scale, releasing serotonin – also known as 'the happy hormone' – which lifts our mood in a completely natural way.
Since succulents aren't fussy or hard to care for, so they might even reduce your stress more than other plants! With the winter months approaching, succulents are known for helping with depression.
chamomile, lavender or valerian remedies for sleep and relaxation. St John's wort for depression. chaste berry for PMDD and premenstrual syndrome.
Jasmine. Jasmine is not just a beautiful bloom, it is also one of the preferred flowers for mental health preservation. Jasmine reduces stress, anxiety levels and helps with sleep problems.
Lavender is a flowering plant belonging to the mint family. Many people use lavender to help calm their nerves and alleviate anxiety.
Positive effects of a number of herbs and their active compounds such as St John's-wort, saffron, turmeric, ginkgo, chamomile, valerian, Lavender, Echium amoenum and Rhodiola rosea L. in improvement of symptoms of mild, moderate or major depression have been shown in clinical trials.
Studies have indicated that valerian is effective in treating anxiety and depression in menopausal women. Valerian is a safe herbal remedy in HD.
rosea, ginseng, and ashwagandha, may help boost serotonin and improve mood. These herbs and plant extracts are often used in Ayurveda (a form of alternative medicine that is the traditional medicine of India) and traditional Chinese medicine.
Among the top plant antidepressant foods are watercress, spinach, lettuces, fresh herbs, peppers, pumpkin, cauliflower, lemon and strawberry. Antidepressant animal foods include oysters, clams, mussels, crab, tuna, lobster, salmon, herring and snapper.
Growing scented flowering plants, such as Lilacs, Lavender or Jasmine, can help you improve your mood, sleep better, and ease other depression symptoms.
The majestic sunflowers are said to bag the title of the happiest flowers on earth – and much can be attributed to their brilliant, yellow petals and tall green stems that remind us of the sweet summer sun. Like a pocketful of sunshine, sunflowers can bring warm feelings to our hearts.
For example, dopamine is found at high concentration in the pulp of yellow banana (Musa acuminata), red banana (Musa sapientum var. baracoa), the spathes of Araceae inflorescences, fuerte avocado (Persea americana), and plantain (Plantago major).
Essential Oils
These oils often have medicinal properties. One study found that bergamot, lavender, and lemon essential oils are particularly therapeutic. Using your sense of smell, they prompt your brain to release serotonin and dopamine.