Antistress Herbs for Women

Stress is a ubiquitous phenomenon that individuals encounter daily that has adverse consequences on physical and mental well-being. Women are the demographic most significantly impacted by stress. The hormonal imbalance, life obligations, and medical disorders associated with oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to its progress. Using phytochemicals, either plant extract, volatile oil, or isolated compounds, has gained prominence for stress management. For instance, adaptogens such as Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, and ginseng regulate stress hormones and they influence the interaction between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal glands, which is known as the HPA axis. Furthermore, studies have demonstrated the efficacy of volatile oils in lowering stress and enhancing general mental well-being. Compounds isolated from plants have also exhibited stress-reducing properties, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, and steroidal saponin, which have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. This chapter aims to gather and analyze several models, such as in vitro , in vivo , and human responses, that are employed to explore the potential antistress effects of diverse phytochemicals.