Herbs Loaded with Psychoactive Molecules: A Potential Role to Cure Mental Disorders

Pages: 543-549
Deepa Sharma1 and Rajender Kumar Sharma2 (Department of Applied Psychology, Sri Aurobindo College (E), University of Delhi, Delhi1 and Department of Botany, Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, Delhi2)

In the past few decades, interest in herbal medicines has been increased significantly, the reason includes, isolation, purification and identification of active principles, scientific validation of traditional uses, better compatibility of the natural molecules with human body, comparatively economical, fewer side effects, better presentation, packaging and advertisements. In the current manuscript, we presented more than 25 important medicinal herbs (Achillea millefolium, Bacopa monnieri , Cannabis Sativa, Centella asiatica, Crocus sativus, Datura stramonium Ginkgo biloba, Hyoscyamus niger, Humulus lupulus, Hypericum perforatum, Juniperous macropoda, Lavendula angustifolium, Mucuna pruriens, Papaver rhoeas, Passiflora incarnate, Physochlaina praealta, Piper methysticum, Rauvolfia serpentine Rhodiola rosea, Scutellaria lateriflora, Solanum nigrum, Tussilago farfara, Verbascum Thapsus, Valeriana officinalis, Withania somnifera & Ziziphus jujube) rich in psychoactive molecules, and having potential role to cure various psychiatric ailments including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, post-traumatic stress, depression, bipolar maniac-depressive, seasonal affective disorder, psychotic, phobic disorders and Schizophrenia. Their traditional uses, psychological effects, active principles, validation of ethno-pharmacological effects are recorded and discussed. Additionally, photographs of the plant species will be helpful to know or easy identification of the plants.