The Herbalist's Guide to a Happier, Healthier Mind
We all struggle with our mental health at some stage in our lives. Tthe pharmaceutical industry has clearly adapted to this reality over the last 30 years since I began my journey into professional healthcare as a Medical Herbalist, with multiple new medications for depression and anxiety being integrated into our health services. And our understanding of mental health has developed hugely with research in psychotherapeutic fields too. We all face challenges, and we can all benefit from a little help sometimes.
I am not for or against pharmaceuticals if it works - great - as long as they work without worse side effects than the original condition. I often work alongside these medicines so I have to be fully aware of how they interact with herbs I may prescribe as a Medical Herbalist, and just like a Doctor, I have a legal responsibility to my clients.
I also want to speak up to say - that Mama Nature has powerful medicines too! Many very effective herbs can calm the mind and soothe the body’s physical response to stress. So I want to describe to you 7 of the best herbs for mental health you can buy cheaply, or grow yourself and access safely and without side effects or interactions with other medicines you may be taking.
Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis
With a wonderful lemon flavour if you pick it from fresh, easy to grow much like mint it thrives best in a warm sunny spot in the garden, Melissa is a balancing herb, and there are many types of emotion this herb is used for.
I use it to help soften the raw feelings of grief and heartbreak. I also like it for anxiety and depression, especially when it affects digestion. It’s a softener, it helps everything feel a little less scary and sad. Emotionally it feels like a hug from a close friend.
Drinking it as tea is the best way, it isn't as expensive as a dried herb, although the essential oil is costly - so go with the tea unless you treat yourself to a little luxury.
German Chamomile, Matricaria recutita
A much-underrated herb, as the tea bags you buy in the shops are a poor quality version of this if you are using it as a medicine.
Although the tea is honey-like and delicious if made from fresh or dried flowers, and best bought as a loose tea rather than in tea bags as the quality is far superior.
Chamomile is known for healing the gut. The gut is also the source of 80% of our serotonin, our happy hormone, so we do need to treat the gut to be emotionally balanced! It helps with relaxation and sleep, and can also prevent nightmares, especially in children.
Lime flower, Tilia spp.
A large tree that grows all over the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere with delicious flowers that blossom in spring. You may have parked your car under one if you live in London and noticed how the annoying sticky deposits she leaves as the blossoms exude a delicious nectar.
The tea is especially calming to the heart. I choose this herb to soothe feelings of panic that affect the heart, to soothe palpitations that come during a panic attack and to help us feel safe again.
I see this herb as a healer for our inner child, often our panic disorders arise from the trauma we experienced earlier in life and this herb can help us feel stronger and safer again, perhaps as if channelling the strength of this magnificent tree herself!
Passionflower, Passiflora incarnata
A slightly smoky flavour herb that tastes divine blended with lime flower, a perfect blend of honey and smoke flavours.
She is an easy to grow climbing herb with the most beautiful flowers, and these flowers turn into passionfruit. It is a hypnotic herb that can help us sleep better.
This herb helps us to move into sleep as she guides us to soften and relax into a deeper state of consciousness, a hypnotic state. Its not like being sedated, more like a massage for the mind. It may help if you struggle to go to bed ‘on time’ if you don’t feel sleepy enough, perhaps naturally a night owl, or with too overactive a mind.
And we all feel better after a good night sleep!
Valerian, Valeriana officinalis
Perhaps one of the better-known herbal sedatives for sleep.
This herb works on the GABA receptors of the brain a little like valium, but without the hangover effects, dangerous risk of overdose or addictive potential.
I use this herb when there are big dramas that the mind just can’t switch off from no matter how much I try to quieten the mind.
It can take the raw edge off reality, making everything a bit softer and helping us to feel a little less raw. It is very easy to grow, but harvesting is a bit of a pain as it is the root that is used medicinally, so I do grow it, but prefer it as an ornamental in my garden and I buy in powder, capsules and tincture for my clients.
I also use it when I fly, if I take a reasonable dose, I find it is as relaxing as a triple dose of gin and tonic, but again, without any dehydrating or hangover effects.
Borage, Borago officinalis
The best herb for courage!
It has wonderful blue star-shaped flowers and although an annual, once planted in the garden self seeds so you can enjoy it forever. It doesn't have much flavour but blends well with other herbs in a tea.
This is a herb for adrenal exhaustion when you are burnt out and frazzled. I see it as a warrior herb when the stress doesn't look like it will stop for a while, it can help to restore the adrenal glands and bring back energy and stamina to keep going.
I have also seen it work wonders on confidence, helping people find their voice and speak up to get the boost they need to ask a girl out on a date or act confidently in a job interview.
Most often I use it in treating difficulties experienced during perimenopause, where adrenal exhaustion can significantly worsen symptoms. Physically we may also experience hot flushes, blood sugar fluctuations, and brain fog. This leads to feelings of insecurity, depression and anxiety as the person naturally doesn't feel as emotionally strong when the adrenal glands adjust their function at this stage of our life, taking over the function of producing our sex hormones as our ovaries switch off. I encourage you to try Borage if you need to restore a sense of physical, emotional and mental strength.
Rose, Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia, Rosa gallica
This is a wonderfully tasty herb for healing the heart, encouraging love and also soothing anger.
Easy to grow, and there are so many varieties, but the best 3 for medicine are listed here in latin.
I love this herb, especially for hormonal emotional wobbles, such as severe anxiety, depression, frustration and rage!
Our heart is a place where we generate and sense joy and love, and if this space feels empty of these happy emotions, we can feel sad and even suicidal, as we can become so sad, that we cannot see the point of life anymore.
Rose probably ends up in 80% of my herbal prescriptions as it is so gentle and so effective, plus I do seem to attract the clients that need this herb, perhaps because I have been there myself and I sincerely understand how they feel.
Rose is very versatile as a herb. It can be drunk as tea, eaten as Turkish delight, or my favourite way is in syrup form added to sparkling water (or wine) which is served at dinner parties can help everyone open up, feel safer and more confident, see the beauty in each other and often brings on the giggles as it opens our heart to a playful sense of joy, love and laughter!
I am so passionate about Herbal Medicine because it has saved my life several times, and I have seen how it has profoundly transformed the lives of my clients and students over the 3 decades of this work.
I integrate herbal wisdom into all the courses I teach, as a voice for the plant nation, I am Plant Spirit Medicine Woman after all!
A quick legal disclaimer - if you are on medication, are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a health condition, it is best to seek advice from a qualified health professional. The information presented here is not meant to be medical advice or replace other medical advice. It is a herbal guide to promote your own research and support your healing journey.
