Role of herbal medicines in the treatment of depression: Acomprehensive review

Abstract

Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent sadness, reduced interest in daily activities, low energy levels, and impaired functional ability. Although conventional antidepressant drugs such as SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAO inhibitors are widely prescribed, they are often associated with limitations including delayed onset of therapeutic action, adverse effects, and incomplete recovery in some patients. These limitations have encouraged growing interest in herbal medicines as safer and potentially more effective alternative treatment options. Medicinal plants such as Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort), Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), and Curcuma longa (Turmeric) contain important bioactive phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. These compounds help regulate neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which play a key role in mood regulation. In addition, these phytochemicals exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties that contribute to improvement in mental health and emotional stability. Herbal antidepressants are generally considered well tolerated, economical, and suitable for long-term therapeutic use. However, appropriate standardization, quality control, and clinical validation are essential to ensure their safety, consistency, and effectiveness. Overall, herbal medicines represent a promising complementary or alternative therapeutic approach for the management of depression