Physiological basis of stress-relieving effects of herbal and homoeopathic medicines: A cross-disciplinary review

Abstract

Stress is a multifactorial physiological and psychological condition that activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to elevated cortisol levels and disrupted neurotransmitter balance. Chronic stress contributes to cardiovascular diseases, depression, anxiety, and immune suppression.This review aims to explore the physiological basis of stress relief offered by selected herbal and homeopathic medicines, with a cross-disciplinary perspective integrating classical principles with modern biomedical research. Literature was reviewed from PubMed, Google Scholar, AYUSH databases, and other academic sources. Focus was placed on herbal adaptogens (e.g., Withania somnifera, Bacopa monnieri) and homeopathic remedies (e.g., Ignatia amara, Gelsemium sempervirens, Aconitum napellus) commonly used for stress. Mechanisms were analyzed in terms of neuroendocrine modulation, neurotransmitter regulation, immune function, oxidative stress attenuation, and molecular signaling pathways.Herbal adaptogens have been shown to normalize cortisol levels, support the HPA axis, and enhance GABAergic and serotonergic signaling. Homeopathic medicines, although highly diluted, demonstrate physiological effects potentially explained by nanopharmacology, hormesis, and time-dependent sensitization. Both approaches influence systemic stress response through neuroimmune pathways, molecular signaling cascades, and regulatory gene expression. Herbal and homeopathic interventions may offer effective stress relief by modulating physiological systems. A cross-disciplinary understanding may help integrate these traditional modalities into modern evidence-based practice.