3 Herbal Remedies for Mood Enhancement
From a stronger immune system to a longer lifespan, happiness has a host of health benefits.[1] However, maintaining an uplifted mood can be challenging amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Fortunately, nature has some ready-made solutions. Herbs have been used for mood support since ancient times.[2] Today, many mood-boosting herbs have modern research to back up their benefits.
If you want to discover the best mood-boosting herbal supplements, keep reading. Below, we’ll explain the benefits of leveraging nature’s apothecary for cognitive function. We’ll also highlight three powerful herbs for mood that have ancient wisdom and modern herbal medicine on their side.
Why Consider Herbal Mood Enhancers?
Whether you’re struggling with poor sleep or a stressful schedule, it’s not always easy to stay positive.
People who experience low moods are often prescribed pharmaceutical medications to ease their symptoms. While modern medicine can certainly play an important role in mental health, some people may prefer a more natural mood enhancer.
Here are a few reasons to consider herbal mood enhancers:
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Holistic health benefits – Holistic medicine factors in the whole person—body, mind, and spirit. Herbal mood enhancers are often used in holistic medicine to address internal imbalances that may lead to low moods.
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Traditional wisdom – Western science is making fascinating discoveries about herbal remedies every day. However, the benefits of herbal medicine have been known for centuries across ancient cultures. While certain herbs may need more research to confirm their benefits scientifically, many have time-tested wisdom on their side.
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Nutritional benefits – Improving your mood is just one of the many potential benefits you can experience from herbal remedies. Another perk is that you can simultaneously nourish your body with herbs’ nutrients—many herbs for energy enhancement are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.[3]
- Personal empowerment – If you suffer from sluggish, low moods, you may be eager to take your health into your own hands. Learning about different mood-enhancing herbs can help you do just that.
Top 3 Herbs for Mood Enhancement
With these benefits in mind, let’s take a look at three herbs that are heralded for their mood-enhancing properties:
#1 St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is a shrubby plant that grows on several continents across the globe. Since ancient Greek times, St. John’s Wort has been used as an herbal remedy to ease a variety of conditions. Today, it’s one of the most thoroughly researched herbal supplements in modern medicine.[4]
Studies show that this herb can improve low moods. Better yet, it has fewer side effects than many pharmaceutical antidepressant medications.[5]
While this ayurvedic herb boasts impressive benefits, it should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider. That’s because it can interfere with certain medications, impact some health conditions, affect your ability to become pregnant, and cause side effects in some people.
#2 Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root or arctic root, grows on the mountains of Europe and Asia. This herbal adaptogen has traditionally been used to lower stress levels, anxiety, and fatigue.[6]
Modern research shows that Rhodiola rosea may increase energy, improve mood, and strengthen stress tolerance. By supporting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, this herb may also reduce mood swings.[7]
Like St. John’s wort, Rhodiola may interact with certain medications and induce mild side effects, so again, consult with your healthcare provider before exploring it.
#3 Kava
For centuries, kava has been consumed ceremonially in the Pacific Islands. This herb is known for its mood-boosting effects. Similar to alcohol, it can enhance your sense of well-being and relaxation. Studies have found that kava may:[8]
- Improve mood
- Alleviate occasional anxiety
- Reduce sleeplessness
- Relax the body
While kava can calm the mind and relax the body, it must be ingested responsibly. Some research suggests that kava may cause liver damage if consumed excessively or in combination with alcohol, so it’s important to consume it in moderate doses without mixing it with alcohol. Look into other herbs for sleep for similar effects.
If you have depression, liver disease, or Parkinson’s disease, you should consult with your doctor before using kava. You should also avoid kava if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, undergoing surgery soon, or consuming alcohol. Like many other herbs, kava may interact with certain medications.
How to Incorporate Herbs Into Your Routine
Whether you’re seeking solace from stress or a break from the occasional blues, herbal remedies may be able to help. Luckily, adding herbal supplements to your daily routine is a breeze. After getting the green light from your doctor, you can consume your herb of choice in tea, supplement, or tincture form.
Safety Tips and Precautions
In the pursuit of a better mood, it’s important to practice safety at every stage. Your doctor can help you determine if an herb is right for you while taking your medications, health conditions, pregnancy status, and age into account. If you experience any side effects from herbal remedies, let your doctor know right away.
Boost Your Mood With Botanic Tonics
Want to try some of these herbs for mood swings, mood brightening, or just a boost in overall well-being? At Botanic Tonics, we produce mood-enhancing herbal tonics and capsules that contain kava and Rhodiola, along with lion’s mane and kola nut.
Our kava capsules and tonics are third-party tested and made in the USA. Give one of our feel free® herbal remedies a try to brighten your mood today.
Sources:
1. PositivePsychology.com. 6 Benefits of Happiness According to the Research.https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-happiness/
2. Mount Sinai. Herbal medicine.https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/treatment/herbal-medicine
3. Michigan State University. Increase intake of fresh herbs for everyday health. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/increase_intake_of_fresh_herbs_for_everyday_health#:~:text=Just%20like%20green%20leafy%20vegetables,antioxidant%20and%20anti%2Dinflammatory%20capabilities.
4,5. Mount Sinai. St. John's wort.https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/st-johns-wort#:~:text=Some%20have%20suggested%20that%20the,John%27s%20wort%20may%20help.
6. Mental Health America. Rhodiola Rosea.https://www.mhanational.org/rhodiola-rosea#:~:text=state%20that%20they%20use%20rhodiola,improves%20mood%20and%20stress%20tolerance.%22&text=Anxiety-,Brown%20et%20al.,label%20study%20supports%20this%20use.
7. NIH. Schisandra chinensis and Rhodiola rosea exert an anti-stress effect on the HPA axis and reduce hypothalamic c-Fos expression in rats subjected to repeated stress. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26889268/
8. Mount Sinai. Kava kava.https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/kava-kava#:~:text=Kava%20is%20said%20to%20elevate,kava%20may%20cause%20liver%20damage.
About The Author
Jamal Bouie is an accomplished professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Biomedicine at Salus University. Jamal has worked in several industries; he began his career in pharmaceutical manufacturing and transitioned to the cannabis industry, where he specialized in analytical testing and manufacturing, playing a vital role in ensuring product safety and compliance. Now, Jamal has turned his attention to the dietary supplement field, combining his scientific acumen with his passion for health and wellness.
