PLANTAS MEDICINAIS NO TRATAMENTO DA ANSIEDADE E DEPRESSÃO: UMA REVISÃO DE LITERATURA

Abstract

The consumption of medicinal plants is an ancient practice, dating back to the beginning of human civilization, and which remains in practice, even in the face of the use of allopathic medicines. In the current context of society, and the significant increase in the use of psychotropic drugs, herbal constituents and extracts have been shown to act directly on various receptors of the central nervous system and their pathways, in vitro and in vivo experiments, most commonly in clinical pre-tests. This work aims to carry out a bibliographical review on the plants Melissa officinalis, Passiflora incarnata, Hypericum perforatum, Matricaria recutita and Valeriana Oficinallis and their applicability in the treatment of anxiety and depression disorders. The study was carried out with text searches from the years 2011 to 2023 with the descriptors “medicinal plants”, “anxiety” and “depression”. In the discussed articles, it was found that the plants in question obtained good results in controlling symptoms and even ceasing the diseases studied, as well as fewer side effects and better adherence to treatment. The application of these methods and the advancement of technologies in favor of clinical analyzes tend to promote the understanding of the richness of phytotherapy that is still little explored, as well as helping to reduce prejudice and ignorance regarding its use in clinical practice.