Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that affects many people following traumatic events. Although pharmacological treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed, they are often associated with significant side effects. More and more research is looking at natural remedies to manage the symptoms of PTSD.
Understanding post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD/TSPT)
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious anxiety disorder that occurs after a traumatic event. It manifests as flashbacks, recurrent nightmares, persistent anxiety and heightened emotional responses. These symptoms, which are often debilitating, are directly linked to brain dysfunctions, particularly in the hippocampus.
Key role of the hippocampus in PTSD
The hippocampus, a brain region essential for managing memories and regulating emotions, is particularly vulnerable to chronic stress. In patients with PTSD, a reduction in its volume is frequently observed, leading to major alterations in the following functions:
- Spatial memory: difficulty remembering non-traumatic places or situations.
- Regulation of fear responses: over-activation leading to disproportionate panic reactions.
- Monitoring of traumatic memories: inability to distinguish a memory from a real threat.
Brain imaging studies have shown that patients suffering from PTSD have a reduced hippocampal volume compared with healthy individuals. This structural decline is directly linked to the prolonged secretion of cortisol, the stress hormone, which has a negative impact on hippocampal neurons.
Neurobiological consequences of PTSD
PTSD affects several neural circuits, exacerbating emotional reactions and altering the brain’s ability to process memories. This explains why patients often relive their traumas in the form of flashbacks, reinforcing their state of hypervigilance. This pathological loop intensifies psychological distress and worsens the symptoms of PTSD.
Promising medicinal plants
Natural therapies aim to alleviate symptoms without the side effects often associated with conventional medication. They rely on medicinal plants, known for their neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as practices such as meditation and deep breathing to calm the mind.
Certain medicinal plants are particularly effective in the natural management of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
These natural anti-stress solutions target biological mechanisms specific to PTSD, in particular hippocampal dysfunction and excessive emotional responses. Here are the most promising plants, backed up by recent studies. (2)
A. Chaenomeles sinensis
Chaenomeles sinensis is widely recognised for its neuroprotective properties and beneficial effects on memory. By targeting the hippocampal dysfunctions often associated with PTSD, this plant helps to reduce anxiety symptoms and improve cognition.
Chaenomeles sinensis plays a crucial role in managing the symptoms of PTSD by stimulating hippocampal neurogenesis, a vital process for building resilience in the face of trauma. It also helps to significantly reduce anxious behaviour and excessive fear reactions, often triggered by traumatic memories. At the same time, its anti-inflammatory properties help to restore brain cells damaged by post-traumatic stress, promoting better cognitive and emotional recovery.
B. Glycyrrhiza uralensis (liquorice)
Liquorice is a medicinal plant with multiple properties. Its components, such as liquiritin, provide significant relief from the symptoms of PTSD, notably by reducing anxiety and modulating stress reactions.
Thanks to its therapeutic properties, Glycyrrhiza uralensis helps to modulate the exacerbated emotional responses that characterise post-traumatic stress disorder. It also offers valuable neuronal protection, limiting the damage caused by prolonged exposure to stress. By supporting emotional regulation mechanisms, this plant plays a key role in psychological balance, which is essential for better management of PTSD symptoms.
C. Atractylodes macrocephala
Known for its anti-apoptotic properties,Atractylodes macrocephala plays a crucial role in protecting neurons affected by PTSD. It improves brain resilience in the face of chronic stress.
Atractylodes macrocephala stands out for its powerful neuroprotective effects, notably by preventing cell death in neurons exposed to traumatic stress. It also helps optimise synaptic connections in the hippocampus, an essential region for managing and regulating traumatic memories. In addition, this plant helps to modulate levels of corticosterone, a stress hormone often elevated in people suffering from PTSD, thereby reducing the negative hormonal impact on the brain.
The effectiveness of combined formulas: focus on HFE
The benefits of these plants are maximised when they are combined in specific formulas, such as Herbal Formula Extract (HFE). This blend, tested on animal models, has been shown to significantly reduce the symptoms of PTSD, including anxiety, exaggerated fear and memory disorders. (1)
Studies on Herbal Formula Extract (HFE) revealed a significant reduction in levels of corticosterone, a hormone closely linked to the worsening of PTSD symptoms. This treatment also demonstrated a significant improvement in the functions of the hippocampus, in particular by enhancing spatial memory and the regulation of traumatic memories. In addition, HFE contributes to the restoration of Kv4.2 potassium channels, which are essential for maintaining optimal neuronal communication, thereby promoting better cerebral balance.
Incorporating natural remedies into the management of PTSD can bring significant relief from symptoms while avoiding the side effects of pharmacological treatments. However, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before starting any natural treatment to ensure that it is appropriate and effective.
Read more:
- Park HR, Cai M, Yang EJ. Herbal Formula Extract Ameliorates Anxiety and Cognitive Impairment via Regulation of the Reelin/Dab-1 Pathway in a Murine Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Pharmaceutics. 2024 Aug 30;16(9):1150. doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16091150. PMID: 39339187; PMCID: PMC11434737.
- Park, H.R.; Cai, M.; Yang, E.J. Novel Psychopharmacological Herbs Relieve Behavioral Abnormalities and Hippocampal Dysfunctions in an Animal Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Nutrients 2023, 15, 3815.
