The CNP Herbs and Mental Health Research Category consolidates research exploring the application of herbs in psychological and psychiatric health. Jill Troderman is CNP’s Herbs and Mental Health contributor and is the lead developer of this research category. To view each original study on the open internet, click “Original.” To view the CNP-written abstract summary, click “CNP Summary.” While only some of the CNP-written abstract summaries are available below for free, all abstract summaries are available to CNP members through the CNP Library Membership.
While there have been studies investigating the adaptogenic herb ashwagandha and its use in combating stress, Salve et al. (2019) claim this study to be the first to offer insight into the dose-response of a high concentration root extract. This double-blind study included 60 participants (male and female), with a baseline perceived stress scale (PSS) score greater than 20. The participants were randomly selected to receive capsules of 125 mg of ashwagandha extract, 300 mg of ashwagandha extract, or an identical placebo twice daily for eight weeks in a 1:1:1 ratio. The following measures were taken: stress (using PSS) at baseline, at four weeks and eight weeks; anxiety using the Hamilton-Anxiety (HAM-A) scale; cortisol levels in the blood at baseline and at eight weeks; and sleep quality utilizing a seven-point sleep scale. Fifty eight of the 60 participants completed the study (96.7% completion rate). Both a significant reduction in PSS scores and a drop in cortisol levels were seen in participants who took 250 mg/day or 300 mg/day of ashwagandha extract. Moreover, sleep quality was significantly better in those that received ashwagandha relative to the placebo group. These findings show that the ashwagandha root aqueous extract may have stress and anxiety-relieving properties. [NPID: adaptogens, herbs, ashwagandha, stress, anxiety, cortisol]
The anti-depressive effect of Rehmanniae Radix Preparata via anti-inflammatory activity
Kava for generalized anxiety disorder: A review of current evidence (2018)
Baicalin regulates the dopamine system to control the core symptoms of ADHD
Potential antidepressant effects of Scutellaria baicalensis, Hericium erinaceus and Rhodiola rosea
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
The effects of Lavender and Chamomile essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and stress in older community-dwelling people: A randomized controlled trial
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Ameliorative effects of Radix rehmanniae extract on the anxiety- and depression-like symptoms in ovariectomized mice: A behavioral and molecular study
The effect of ginsenosides on depression in preclinical studies: A systematic review and meta-analysis
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Effects of aromatherapy with Rosa damascena on nulliparous women's pain and anxiety of labor during first stage of labor
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Herbal medicine for depression and anxiety: A systematic review with assessment of potential psycho-oncologic relevance
A placebo controlled randomized clinical trial of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) on depression and food craving among overweight women with mild to moderate depression
Effects of saffron aqueous extract and its main constituent, crocin, on health-related quality of life, depression, and sexual desire in coronary artery disease patients: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Putative antidepressant effect of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oral extract in subjects with comorbid generalized anxiety disorder and depression
Attenuation of anxiety-like behavior by Helichrysum stoechas (L.) Moench methanolic extract through up-regulation of ERK signaling pathways in noradrenergic neurons
A preliminary assessment of a combination of rhodiola and saffron in the management of mild–moderate depression
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Clinical use of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) in depression: A meta-analysis
Dietary intake of the citrus flavonoid hesperidin affects stress-resilience and brain kynurenine levels in a subchronic and mild social defeat stress model in mice (animal)
A double-blind, randomized pilot study for comparison of Melissa officinalis L. and Lavandula angustifolia Mill. with Fluoxetine for the treatment of depression
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Effects of Gladiolus dalenii on the stress-induced behavioral, neurochemical, and reproductive changes in rats (animal)
Cannabidiol: A potential new alternative for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders
Role of 5-HT1A receptor in the anxiolytic-relaxant effects of bergamot essential oil in rodent (animal)
Assessment of Withania somnifera root extract efficacy in patients with generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Use of complementary alternative medicine and the associated factors among patients with depression
Cannabidiol as a therapeutic alternative for post-traumatic stress disorder: From bench research to confirmation in human trials
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Acute ingestion of rosemary water: Evidence of cognitive and cerebrovascular effects in healthy adults
Short-term open-label chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) therapy of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Valerian root in treating sleep problems and associated disorders-a systematic review and meta-analysis
Antidepressant-like effects of penta-acetyl geniposide in chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression rat model: Involvement of inhibiting neuroinflammation in prefrontal cortex and regulating hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis (animal)
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Effects of Saffron extract supplementation on mood, well-being, and response to a psychosocial stressor in healthy adults: A randomized, double-blind, parallel group, clinical trial
Honokiol exerts antidepressant effects in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress by regulating brain derived neurotrophic factor level and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity (animal)
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Efficacy of curcumin, and a saffron/curcumin combination for the treatment of major depression: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Antidepressant-like behavioral, anatomical, and biochemical effects of petroleum ether extract from maca (Lepidium meyenii) in mice exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Neuroprotective efficacy of thymoquinone against amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cholinergic neurons
Phytochemicals in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Neurotransmitter, antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory mechanistic potentials of herbal medicines in ameliorating autism spectrum disorder
An open-label study to elucidate the effects of standardized Bacopa Monnieri extract in the management of symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Long-term chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) treatment for generalized anxiety disorder: A randomized clinical trial
An investigation of the effects of curcumin on anxiety and depression in obese individuals: A randomized controlled trial
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
A diet enriched with curcumin promotes resilience to chronic social defeat stress
Curcumin treatment leads to better cognitive and mood function in a model of Gulf War Illness with enhanced neurogenesis, and alleviation of inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in the hippocampus
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Interaction between gut microbiota and Curcumin: A new key of understanding for the health effects of Curcumin
Relevance of the anti-inflammatory properties of Curcumin in neurodegenerative diseases and depression
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Effect of lavender scent inhalation on prevention of stress, anxiety and depression in the postpartum period
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and major depressive disorder: A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Clinical use of Curcumin in depression: A meta-analysis
Curcumin boosts DHA in the brain: Implications for the prevention of anxiety disorders
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study