Serotonin is an important mood-regulating, sleep-promoting brain chemical, or neurotransmitter, that helps with signal transmission between nerve cells. Low levels of serotonin can have a negative impact on your mood and affect your quality of sleep. Certain herbs may help increase serotonin levels naturally. Consult your doctor before using any herbal supplements.
Passionflower
Passionflower, also known by its scientific name Passiflora incarnata, is an herb that has been used for hundreds of years in the Americas and throughout Europe for its sedative, calming properties. While herbalists and traditional healers still recommend passionflower for treating anxiety disorders and alleviating nervous tension, there's not much research available to confirm its mechanism of action. Passionflower's benefits may be due to its content of serotonin, according to Dr. Paul Barney in his book, "Doctor's Guide to Natural Medicine." Passionflower also increases levels of GABA, another calming neurotransmitter that is regulated by serotonin, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Passionflower can increase the effect of blood thinners, certain sedative medications and MAOIs, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors, older drugs used to treat depression. Consult your doctor before using passionflower.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort is an herb that has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes that St. John's wort is used to treat depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. St. John's wort is believed to work, in part, by raising serotonin levels in your brain, according to Barney. St. John's wort can interact with certain medications, including SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, medications commonly used to treat depression. Consult your doctor before using St. John's wort.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola rosea is a plant that grows near the Arctic and other cold areas of the world. It has traditionally been used in the medicines of countries like Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Russia to increase energy, alleviate fatigue, prevent infections, enhance mental function and fight depression, although there's not much scientific evidence to support these claims. While its mechanism of action isn't entirely understood, a study published in the September 2009 issue of the journal "Phytomedicine" showed that administering a rhodiola rosea extract to laboratory rats increased the level of serotonin in the hippocampus. However, there haven't yet been any human studies to confirm this effect. There are no known safety risks associated with the use of rhodiola, according to Tufts Medical Center.
Valerian
Valerian is an herbal remedy that has been used throughout history to treat anxiety, nervous tension and promote sleep. The root of the valerian plant is cultivated for medicinal purposes and is used to make teas, extracts and powder. Valerian may have an impact on serotonin receptors, according to a study published in the Aug. 18, 2005, issue of the journal "Molecular Brain Research." This study evaluated the benefits of valerian for insomnia in an in vitro laboratory test. The researchers found that valerian acts as an agonist, or a substance that can cause a reaction when combined with a receptor, for serotonin receptors. Valerian is generally considered safe for use but can increase the effects of sedative medications and interact with certain drugs. Consult your doctor before using valerian.
References
- "Doctor's Guide to Natural Medicine"; Paul Barney, M.D.; 1998
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Passionflower
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: St. John's Wort
- "Phytomedicine"; The Effects of Rhodiola Rosea Extract on 5-HT Level, Cell Proliferation and Quantity of Neurons at Cerebral Hippocampus of Depressive Rats; Q.G. Chen et al.; July 2009
- Tufts Medical Center: Rhodiola Rosea
- "Molecular Brain Research"; Valerian Extract and Valerenic Acid are Partial Agonists of the 5-HT5a Receptor in Vitro; B. Dietz et al.; Aug. 18, 2005
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