From St. John’s wort to ashwagandha – a journey of psychiatry’s evolution through plants

The evolution of psychiatry has accelerated rapidly in recent decades but dates back far beyond the invention of modern medications or psychotherapy theories. Long before these developments, healers relied on natural remedies to alleviate mental symptoms. The aim of this study is to assess whether the use of plants in treating psychiatric disorders is supported by contemporary research. This systematic review evaluated scientific literature published in the past 10 years using databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Academia.edu, and Google Scholar. Out of 56 total articles reviewed, 28 were selected based on relevance and methodological rigor. Over 30 plants were evaluated for their potential effects on psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit disorder, and schizophrenia. Among these, 10 showed promising results as adjunctive therapies. Given the internet’s influence in rapidly spreading alternative treatment ideas, it is essential to assess the safety and scientific validity of such approaches. Although many plant-based psychotropic agents are available over-the-counter and generally considered safe, further evaluation is necessary to confirm their efficacy and potential interactions with conventional treatments.