Top Herbs For Happiness

Throughout centuries and cultures, herbs have been used to uplift emotions and spirits, leading to a sense of calm and balance. This ultimate lead will indicate the best herbs to bring you happiness, as well as present their main properties and the integration of said herbs into your lifestyle.

In this blog, we’ll have a closer look of three of the most popular ones, as well as herbs that are used to boost the mood, namely, ashwagandha, kanna, and kratom.

What Are Herbs for Happiness?

Happiness herbs are natural herbs or plants that possess substances that can alter brain chemistry and body processes that affect mood control.

These herbs can usually exert their effect by changing the levels of neurotransmitters, like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, or by making the body less responsive to our stress levels via the adaptogenic response.

They are useful in reducing anxiety, stress, and minor depression symptoms and boosting emotions related to happiness, rest, and increased mental lucidity.

Top Herbs for Happiness and Joy

Here are some of the most effective and well-known herbs that support happiness and emotional well-being:

1. Kratom – Mitragyna Speciosa

Kratom is one of our favorite plants! It’s a magnificent evergreen tree that grows natively in the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. The Kratom tree (Mitragyna Speciosa) is directly related to the coffee plant.

Kratom is known for the wide array of positive benefits that come from the active alkaloids within the plant’s leaves, called Mitragynine and 7-Hydroxymitragynine.

Kratom Powder is hands down the most popular form of Kratom you’ll see on the market. However, there are a couple of other products gaining popularity too: Kratom Capsules and Kratom Extracts.
Kratom Capsules are just regular Kratom Powder that’s been encapsulated in a pill form to make it easier for consumption and measuring your serving sizes. They’re super convenient!
Kratom Extracts have a much higher concentration of alkaloids. Manufacturers take Kratom Powder and initiate a detailed extraction process that isolates the alkaloids, creating a much more potent result. With Kratom Extracts, you can take a much smaller serving size to feel the desired effects.

Benefits of Kratom

Let’s focus on the most desired Kratom benefits:

Mental/physical stimulation: Similar to coffee, Kratom may stimulate the mind and body, providing increased alertness.
Mental Clarity: The mental stimulation may also clear the mind to increase focus and concentration.
Relieving physical discomfort: May help ease minor discomforts.
Encouraging a happy mentality: Encourages an overall sense of well-being that helps you remain happy and positive.
Relaxation: Kratom provides calming effects that can help boost a restful night’s sleep.

2. Kanna – Sceletuim Tortuosum

There’s a certain botanical indigenous to South Africa called Sceletium tortuosum, more commonly referred to as Kanna. It is a succulent plant that produces thick, fleshy leaves. Like many other succulents, the leaves can heavily retain and store water.

Kanna leaves contain several alkaloids that are said to trigger exceptional effects. These rumored effects are the reason that the natives of South Africa used Kanna as a type of medicine in their culture. The four main alkaloids that are responsible for Kanna’s effects are Mesembrine, Mesembranolone, Mesembranol, and Mesembrenol.

Local African tribes will put the Kanna plant through a comprehensive fermentation process to enhance the alkaloids, creating a more potent result. Typically, the plant is harvested, dried, and fermented before being distributed as a buyable product.

There are several ways to use Kanna. The most common and enjoyable method of consumption is to brew the raw plant material into a Kanna Tea. However, you can also get the effects from it by chewing the plant material directly. Or, if you’re looking for a more concentrated route, you can seek out Kanna Extracts or Tinctures.

Benefits of Kanna

Similar to Kratom, the benefits of Kanna are extensive. They can range anywhere from providing the user with subtle energy and motivation to encouraging deep relaxation and minor discomfort relief. The effects you experience will depend on your method of consumption and serving size.

Sleep improvement
Discomfort relief
Boosts a happy mentality
Deep relaxation
Mental clarity
May suppress food cravings

3. Maca Root – Lepidium Meyenii

The last alternative botanical we are going to discuss is called Maca, also known as Peruvian Ginseng. Its scientific name is “Lepidium Meyenii.” The Maca plant grows in the Andes of Central Peru. It can withstand extreme weather conditions and very high altitudes.

Maca is considered a ‘vegetable’ and belongs to the Brassicaceae family, which is the same family as broccoli, cabbage, and kale! Cool, right?

The edible part of the plant is the root. The Maca root is harvested, dried, and then consumed in powder form, but you can also find it in liquid extract and capsule form.

Maca Root is more well-known in the United States than the other botanicals. Chances are, you can probably find bags of Maca Powder in the nutrition section of your local grocery store.

Benefits of Maca Root

Maca Root powder is highly nutritious and contains several important vitamins, such as Vitamin C and B6. It’s low in fat, high in carbs, and provides a fair amount of fiber.

Energy and endurance
Happiness boost
Increased focus and attentiveness
Helps balance hormones
Promotes natural antioxidants in the body

4. Kava Root – Piper Methysticum

Kava (Piper Methysticum) is a perennial evergreen shrub that grows in the islands of the South Pacific – specifically, Fiji, Micronesia, Vanuatu, the Samoas, and Tonga. Kava is directly related to the Pepper plant family!

Natives of the Pacific islands have been using Kava for centuries, and it is a special ceremonial beverage.

Different cultural traditions use Kava to honor memorable events throughout life. A traditional Kava ceremony consists of sitting in a circle on beautiful woven mats and pouring a serving from the communal Kava tanoa (bowl).

Kava is pretty well-known in the US, too. You can even find public Kava bars that sell cups of Kava juice to paying customers!

While several parts of the plant can be consumed, the hearty root is considered the best. The roots are harvested and dried by farmers.

From there, it gets pulverized into a fine, fluffy powder. This powder is used to make the Kava beverages.

Benefits of Kava Root

Kava Root is highly admired due to its ability to calm and relax the mind and body. Deep relaxation and discomfort relief are its main benefits.

However, like all herbal substances, it’s important to remember that all effects are subjective to the individual.

Calm the mind and body
Total relaxation
Restful sleep

5. Akuamma – Pircralime Nitida

Akuamma, scientifically known as Picralima Nitida, is another alternative herb that contains special alkaloids which produce outstanding effects for the user. Akuamma is a rainforest tree that grows natively in West Africa, primarily in Nigeria.

Practically every part of the tree is consumable, but the seeds are known to be the most potent. African natives claim that all of the individual parts of the plant have their unique benefits.

For example, in traditional African medicine, natives used the bark to remedy fevers, the tree’s root for jaundice or pneumonia, and the leaves for measles or guinea worm.

Benefits of Akuamma

The primary benefits of Akuamma are similar to those of Kratom and Kanna. The active alkaloids within the plant resonate very similarly for most people. However, all herbal botanicals are subject to the user.

Calming sensations
Temporary discomfort relief
Supports overall wellness
Relaxation
May encourage restful sleep

How to Use Herbs for Happiness

Herbal Teas: Simple and soothing, teas made from herbs like lemon balm, chamomile, and holy basil are easy to incorporate into daily routines.
Capsules and Supplements: Convenient for standardized dosing, especially with herbs like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and St. John’s Wort.
Tinctures and Extracts: Concentrated forms that provide faster absorption and stronger effects.
Powders: Can be added to smoothies, juices, or warm milk for versatile consumption.

Final Thoughts

Using herbs of happiness in your everyday life is a simple yet ancient method of promoting emotional stability and finding a wider balance in life. The stimulating properties of maca root and the sedative ones of kava, together with mood-elevating qualities of kratom, kanna, and akuamma, comprise all that can offer significant advantages.

Depending on whether you want to increase your energy levels, reduce stress, improve discomfort, or just improve your general mood, there is an herb that can help you achieve it.

Like any supplement, it is advisable to take low doses and to keep in touch with your body and, above all, a health professional, particularly when you are on medication and/or have mental issues.

When taken responsibly, these herbs will be great helpers on your way to happiness, a feeling of relief, and a greater sense of emotions. Let nature lead you to a more harmonious, alive, and happier you.