Top Mood-Boosting Supplements: Safe Herbal Options

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, at least 100,000 supplements are available to consumers. About three in four Americans take at least one.

Many of those products market themselves as mood-boosting supplements containing herbal ingredients. Valerian root, lavender, and chamomile are some of the most common plant-based supplements on the market.

In this guide that our team at Oak Gardens Place in Altoona, WI, put together, we'll discuss what older adults must know about mood-enhancing supplements, including the best and safest ones to use.

Friendly Reminders Before Taking Mood-Boosting Supplements

The best herbal mood enhancers are those recommended by your primary healthcare provider. They're your top source of reliable information because of their professional knowledge regarding:

How supplements work and how they may interact with medications you take
Effective herbal mood stabilizers and boosters backed by research
How safe herbal antidepressants and mood-boosting supplements are
Natural mood supplements benefits vs. their cons

So, if you or an older loved one is considering taking supplements to boost your mood, please speak with your doctor first. They can help you better understand your best and safest options and make recommendations based on your current and family health history.

Herbal Supplements With Possible Potential

Mood disorders, particularly depression, are common among older adults in the United States. According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), depression affects over two million older adults aged 65 and over. Many of these individuals also experience anxiety, a common mental health illness.

Herbal supplements won't cure depression and mood disorders, and neither can they claim to cure or treat it. However, researchers continue to study them and their potential to help with mood problems.

Here are some examples of herbal supplements with potential mood benefits based on research.

Valerian Root

Valerian root is an herbal remedy that originated in ancient Greece. Supplements containing it are available as pills, teas, and tinctures. Individuals promote it for insomnia, anxiety, and depression.

According to Medical News Today, several studies examined valerian root efficacy and safety. Some results are positive, while others are contradictory, so the researchers say they must conduct more studies. Some of the findings that suggest valerian may help with mood include the following:

Potential to be safe and helpful for sleep problems and anxiety
Potential to improve sleep markers, such as overall sleep duration
Generally safe for short-term use of up to 28 days for most adults

Researchers advise against using valerian root supplements to treat chronic insomnia. If you have long-term sleep issues behind your mood woes, it's best to seek professional advice from your doctor. You can also start by optimizing your bedroom environment and establishing a bedtime routine to help improve sleep quality.

Lavender

Lavender, known for its pretty purple flowers, is also a common ingredient in herbal products, including those promoted to boost mood. Its many natural properties may make it a helpful addition to your mental well-being strategies. Plus, according to an article by Verywell Mind, clinical research supports its use for depression, anxiety, and stress.

Lavender is available in many forms, including teas, plants, extracts, and essential oils. Per Verywell Mind's article, the studies conducted on this plant found evidence that it may:

Help with the symptoms of mild to moderate depression
Aid people with anxiety disorders
Help with stress
Promote sleep and help combat insomnia

An excellent way to try lavender is to use a diluted form of its essential oil as a room spray or put a few drops on your pillow. Doing so can help you gauge whether the plant's lovely scent may be enough of a "supplement" to help boost your mood. If it seems to work, ask your doctor if you can try lavender extracts or teas.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a fragrant herb from the daisy/sunflower plant family. One of its most common uses nowadays is as an herbal tea, offering consumers an alternative to caffeinated black and green tea. However, its extracts are also in supplements like capsules, tablets, topicals, and essential oils.

According to Healthline, teas, extracts, and essential oils made of chamomile have soothing effects that may help boost moods. Some of the studies conducted on this plant found several potential benefits, such as possibly:

Helping people with anxiety and depression
Promoting better sleep
Benefitting heart health
Soothing to the stomach

The Healthline article also says that consuming chamomile tea is generally safe for most folks. However, some people may experience allergic reactions to this plant, especially those with allergies to daisy plants (e.g., ragweed). To be sure, please ask your primary healthcare provider for specific advice.

Other Top Natural Mood Lifters to Consider

While mood-boosting supplements may benefit consumers, you should still regard them only as an addition to a healthy lifestyle. Besides, there are several natural ways to boost your moods without supplements.

One way older adults can feel better and happier is through regular exercise. Exercise can uplift your mood by triggering your body to produce and release feel-good natural chemicals called endorphins. Plus, it helps you stay on top of your health and fitness goals, including achieving or maintaining a healthy weight and staying mobile for as long as possible as you age.

Exercise can also expose you to sunshine, another natural mood lifter. Getting enough sunlight makes the brain release serotonin, which, like endorphins, is a mood-boosting chemical. It's a happy hormone that can help you feel more energized, focused, positive, and calm.

Give These Natural Mood Boosters a Try

Herbal mood-boosting supplements, such as valerian root, lavender, and chamomile, are worth a shot, provided your doctor has given you the green light to take them. Just remember that they aren't meant to cure mood disorders.

If you can't take supplements, don't worry: You can always exercise (which you should) instead. Unlike supplements, physical activity is for everyone, which is also why our senior living community, Oak Gardens Place Assisted Living in Altoona, WI, organizes them daily. We also have many other social and recreational events for our residents.

To learn more about our community, contact us today to schedule your tour. We'd love to show you how we help our older residents enjoy better emotional and mental well-being.