Borage

“Echlum amoenum”

Antidepressant mechanism currently unknow

Used: depression, Anxiety

Lavender 

“Lavandula spp.”

GABA modulation. Anxiolysis shown in animal models.

Used: Depression, anxiety, Somatic tension

Korean ginseng

“Panax ginseng”

Central nervous system effects included increased proliferating ability of neural progenitors and increased central levels of acetylcholine, serotonin, nor- epinephrine, and dopamine in the cerebral cortex.

• Monoamine modulation (dopamine & serotonin)
• Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant effects
• NO synthase inhibition

Used: fatigue, depression, poor cognition

Mimosa 

“albizia julibrissin”

• 5-HT_1A receptor binding affinity
• 5-HT2c binding affinity
• Antidepressant & anxiolytic effects in animal models decrease sleep latency & increased sleep duration.

Used: depression, anxiety, insomnia

St. John’s wort

“Hypericum perforatum”

• Modulation of monoamine transmission via NA+ channel
• Non-selective inhibition of Serotonin, DA, NA re-uptake
• DA minergic activity (prefrontal cortex)
• Antidepressent & anxiolytic activity in animal models
• Decrease degradation of neurochemicals

Used: depression, bipolar, depression

Saffron 

“crocus sativus”

• Increased re-uptake of monaomaines (DA, NA, 5-HT)
• NMDA receptor antagonism
• GABA A agonism/ potentiation
• Anxiolytic effects in animal models

Used: depression, anxiety

Kava-kava

Used: Anxiety.

Toxic effect = Hepatotoxicity.

Jin Bu Huan

Used: Sedative.

Toxic effect= Hepatoxicity.

Ginko “Ginko Biloba”

Cardiovascular effects: increase blood flow, reduce blood viscosity, and promote vasodilation, thus enhancing tissue perfusion.

CNS effects: Ginkgo has been used to treat cerebral insufficiency and dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Miscellaneous effects: Ginkgo has been studied for its effects in schizophrenia, tardive dyskinesia, allergic and asthmatic bronchoconstriction, short-term memory in healthy, nondemented adults, erectile dysfunction, tinnitus and hearing loss, and macular degeneration.

Used: altitude sickness (prevention), cerebral vascular insufficiency, cognitive disorders, dementia, dizziness/vertigo, intermittent claudication, macular degeneration/glaucoma, memory loss, premenstrual syndrome, SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, and as a vasodilator.