Keeping inner restlessness at bay with plant power

Herbal medicines can help to find inner peace, lighten the mood and release anxiety. Traditional Heilplants, which are said to have a calming effect, are for example, valerian, lemon balm and lavender. In the form of mono- or combination preparations, the interaction of various ingredients unfolds noticeable effects. Due to the good compatibility and the low dependence potential, phytotherapeutics often have very good patient acceptance.

Stress is an adaptation reaction of the body to stressful environmental stimuli. When we are exposed to pressure, energy is mobilized and our nervous system is revved up. We need a certain amount of stress to cope with the demands placed on us. But our psyche and our body also depend on the fact that tension is always followed by a phase of recovery. If there is no relaxation, permanent stress develops. Today, medicinal plants are again used with great success for many mild and moderate diseases of the psyche and nervous system [2–4].

Lavender, lemon balm and valerian: the ingredients and their effects

Complementary and herbal medicines are very popular and widely used in Switzerland. For prescription phytotherapeutic medicinal products, Swissmedic ensures that the basic authorization requirements are met [5]. The best known plants that can be used as sedatives include valerian, lemon balm, and lavender [6]. HPMC (Herbal Medicinal Product Committee) monographs of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) exist for these medicinal drugs [7,8]. The effects of these plants can be explained by the fact that they increase the arousal threshold, making a person less sensitive to external stimuli, and thus more calm and relaxed. These effects can be triggered either by direct action on the central nervous system or indirectly by olfactory or spasmolytic mechanisms [6]. Lavender and lemon balm belong to the Lamiaceae family. Accordingly, essential oils and lamiaceae tannins are the central ingredients in both plants. Both medicinal plants are used for nervous unrest and related sleep disorders [9].

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): originally from the Mediterranean region, lavender also thrives in the gardens of Central Europe. Lavender is used in traditional herbal medicine, among other things, to treat problems falling asleep and sleeping through the night, irritability, nervousness, stress and nervous heart complaints, as well as to support the human psyche in difficult life situations. Folk medicine lavender was used as early as the 16th century [2]. Lavender oil exerts its anxiolytic effects by inhibiting presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels in the CNS [9]. The key ingredients of lavender are found in the essential oil. Lavender flowers used for processing usually contain 1-3% essential oil, with monoterpenes primarily present (e.g., linalyl acetate, linalool, camphor, cineole). In addition, lavender contains about 12% lamiaceae tannins, such as chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid. Other constituents include flavonoids, phytosterols, and hydroxycoumarins [9].

Stressful circumstances, such as an overwhelming daily routine, can lead to permanent stress. Inner restlessness is often accompanied by irritability, anxiety, and tension, and is often followed by sleep disturbances that stress the psyche and body [1]. Drawing a line between healthy and diseased nervous system is often not easy. When is a patient simply tired, when does exhaustion begin? When is a patient merely irritable, whereas where is a pathologically overstimulated nervous system found that should be treated? [2]. Herbal medicines can be supportive in helping to find inner peace, lighten mood, and relieve anxiety [1].

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): Lemon balm, also called lemon balm, is one of the oldest medicinal plants and originates from Western Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean regions. Melissa officinalis was already used in ancient times. With the Benedictine monks, the plant reached Central Europe and has been cultivated ever since. From the plant Melissa officinalis, the lemon balm leaves (Melissae folium) are prepared and used as aleaf drug. Melissa officinalis contains up to 0.8% essential oils. These include, for example, citronellal, citral a/b, β-caryophyllene, linalool and other monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. In addition, the plant has lamiaceae tannins, especially rosmarinic acid, flavonoids, as well as bitter substances. The essential oil component plays a key role in the plant’s action profile [9]. Due to its sedative, stress-relieving, spasmolytic and carminative effects, it is used for sleep disorders, nervousness, nervous heart complaints, gastrointestinal complaints and states of exhaustion [2].

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): Valerian has been highly valued in medicine since ancient times. Even then, the plant was considered a remedy for all kinds of ailments [9]. In the medicinal context, Valeriana officinalis is used as a root drug (Valerianae radix). In this process, the roots are collected from cultivated plants in the fall. Valerian roots contain iridoids. These include valepotriates such as valtrate or isovaltrate. In addition, flavonoids, alkaloids and lignans are among the components. Essential oil is also present, which consists of about 150 different monoterpenic and sesquiterpenic compounds [9]. Important for the sleep-promoting effect is a contained hydrophilic lignan, an olivine derivative that partially targets the adenosine-1 receptor, which is almost exclusively located on the central neurons of the brain, thereby inhibiting the postsynaptic potential of neurons in the brain [10]. This affects the desire to sleep. In addition, valerian root has a stimulating and balancing effect on mental stress. A mood-lifting effect is achieved due to the valepotriates present [9]. Valerenic acid causes muscle relaxant effects and dampens the central nervous system. This is presumably achieved by acting on adenosine receptors as well as GABA-benzodiazepine receptors. Other indications include nervous excitement states, also in combination with gastrointestinal complaints, and nervous heart complaints. The dosage forms with valerian roots are diverse. In many cases, the root drug is processed into finished medicines. In this context, efficacy depends to a large extent on a sufficient dose. In addition, combination with other sedative phytotherapeutics can improve efficacy possibilities. Common combinations exist, for example, with lemon balm, hops, St. John’s wort, or lily of the valley [9].

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