Green Remedies for the Mind: Translation Potential of Medicinal Plants in Future Mental Healthcare

Abstract

Stress and anxiety are becoming more common mental health issues in modern culture, owing primarily to lifestyle changes, work pressure, and social barriers. Conventional pharmaceutical therapies are effective, but they are frequently linked with side effects, dependence, and expensive costs. In this context, medicinal plants present a potential, safer, and more cost-effective option for stress and anxiety relief. Various ancient medical systems, such as Ayurveda, Unani, and ancient Chinese Medicine, have long used plant-based therapies to promote mental health. Several medicinal plants, including Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Valeriana officinalis, and Passiflora incarnata, have been shown to have anxiolytic and stress-relieving properties through mechanisms involving neurotransmitter modulation, antioxidant activity, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis regulation. This article presents an overview of medicinal plants used to treat stress and anxiety, including their active elements, pharmacological activities, and scientific data supporting their efficacy. The increased interest in green therapies demonstrates their potential to improve mental health with few side effects.