Give the gift of wellbeing - Gift cards now available 🎁

Could Naturopathy be the answer to Anxiety?

userimg

Written by Yoshimi Hofmann

Yoshimi Oneness Naturopath


Exploring the benefits of Naturopathy for Anxiety

 
In a fast-paced world, the prevalence of anxiety and depression is increasing. These mental health conditions can be debilitating, affecting not only our emotional wellbeing, but also our physical health and overall quality of life. Naturopathy is a holistic system of medicine that emphasises the body's natural healing powers and offers a comprehensive and individualised approach to managing anxiety and depression.
 
This article explores how naturopathic approaches, including natural interventions and lifestyle changes, can significantly improve a person's mental and emotional health and help people suffering from anxiety and depression.
 

Detecting the symptoms of anxiety and depression

Anxiety and depression are common mental health conditions that can have a profound effect on your overall well-being. 

  • Anxiety involves excessive worry, fear, or nervousness, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as rapid heartbeat or sweating. 

  • Depression involves persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities and fatigue. 

Both conditions often lead to physical symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances and changes in appetite. 


How can Naturopathy help with anxiety and depression?

When treating anxiety and depression, naturopaths go beyond symptom management to identify and treat the underlying causes.

This comprehensive approach involves assessing nutritional imbalances, hormonal fluctuations, lifestyle stressors, and emotional traumas that contribute to these conditions. Naturopathy aims not only to relieve symptoms, but also to promote lasting mental and emotional well-being. It empowers individuals to achieve harmony within themselves, promoting a deeper and more enduring state of mental health.

 

Naturopathic approaches to anxiety and depression

The first step in a naturopathic approach to anxiety and depression is a thorough assessment of the patient's physical, emotional, and mental health. A qualified naturopath will go through a detailed medical history, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs. 

Each treatment plan is unique and aims to restore physical balance, relieve symptoms, and maintain mental and emotional resilience. 

Let’s dive deeper into common naturopathic treatments for anxiety:

  1. Dietary changes to balancing neurotransmitters naturally

Naturopathic approaches focus on supporting neurotransmitter balance as an important factor in promoting positive mood and mental health. It recommends adequate dietary intake of essential precursors to produce neurotransmitters essential for mood regulation, such as tryptophan, which is required to produce serotonin, and tyrosine, which is required to produce dopamine.

Naturopathy for anxiety

  1. Nutritional recommendation to promote mental wellness

The link between diet and mental health is profound, and naturopaths recognise the impact of nutrition on emotional well-being. Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds can enhance mood and cognitive function. B vitamins, especially B6, B9 (folate), and B12, are crucial for neurotransmitter production and are often recommended to alleviate depression and anxiety symptoms.

Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables combat oxidative stress, supporting brain health. Probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir nurture a healthy gut-brain connection. Whole grains provide steady energy levels, reducing mood swings. By incorporating these nutrient-rich foods, naturopathy improves mood through dietary choices.

  1. Herbals remedies and supplements to alleviate the symptoms 

Naturopaths often use herbal remedies and supplements to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. A few examples of these are:

    • St John's Wort is known for its mood-lifting properties and can help with mild to moderate depression, but it interacts with medicines and should be used with caution.
    • Lavender and passionflower are sedative herbs that reduce anxiety.
    • Adaptogens such as Ashwagandha and Rhodiola increase resilience to stress.

However, reactions vary from person to person, and it is important to consult a naturopath to determine the appropriate approach. In terms of safety, professional advice is essential before starting to take any herbs or supplements, as there is the possibility of drug interactions.

Herbal remedy for naturopathy - St John's Wort

  1. Lifestyle changes to reduce stress

Lifestyle changes are integral in the natural management of anxiety and depression:

    • Regular exercise releases endorphins, improving mood and reducing stress.
    • Quality sleep is essential for emotional well-being, as it allows the brain to process emotions effectively.
    • Stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, and deep breathing promote relaxation and help alleviate symptoms.

A balanced routine that includes these practices can enhance overall mental health.

  1. Mind-Body techniques to foster deeper relaxation and improve emotional resilience

Mind-body practices, including meditation, mindfulness, yoga, and deep breathing exercises, are potent tools in managing and alleviating anxiety and depression symptoms naturally:

    • Meditation and mindfulness promote present moment awareness, reducing rumination and anxiety.
    • Yoga combines physical postures with breath control, enhancing flexibility and fostering relaxation.
    • Deep breathing exercises activate the body's relaxation response, reducing stress and calming the mind.

These practices empower individuals to develop emotional resilience, improve self-awareness, and reduce the impact of anxiety and depression. Naturopaths often recommend integrating these techniques into daily routines as they play a pivotal role in promoting mental well-being and overall health.

Mind-body techniques

  1. Gut balancing probiotics to regulate the mood

The gut-brain connection highlights how gut health affects mental well-being. Naturopaths recognise the crucial importance of a balanced gut microbiota, supported by gut-friendly foods such as probiotics, yoghurt, kefir, and prebiotics such as fibre-rich vegetables:

    • A healthy gut produces neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which is essential for mood regulation.
    • Probiotics help maintain this balance while reducing inflammation, which has been linked to depression and anxiety.

Naturopaths often prioritise optimising gut health through dietary changes and supplementation. They emphasise that the deep connection between the gut and the mind supports overall mental health.

 

Can a naturopathic approach be combined with a conventional treatment?

Naturopathy can complement well conventional treatments. The natural interventions suggested by the naturopaths, such as dietary changes, herbal remedies, and lifestyle adjustments, can indeed enhance the efficacy of pharmaceutical treatments while minimising side effects.

By better addressing the root causes and promoting overall well-being, naturopathy can provide a more holistic framework for individuals undergoing conventional therapy. 

 

Is there any scientific evidence and/or case studies? 

Numerous studies underscore the efficacy of naturopathic interventions for anxiety and depression. For example, research in the Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, has demonstrated the positive impact of St. John's Wort on reducing depressive symptoms (1), while saffron has shown promise in improving mood, as evidenced in the BMC complementary medicine and therapies (2).

Real-life success stories also highlight the effectiveness of naturopathic approaches. My patients report significant relief from anxiety and depression by incorporating herbal remedies such as St John's wort and ashwagandha into their daily lives, along with mindfulness meditation, improved diet, and lifestyle changes.

 

Is there any safety or precautions to be aware of when considering Naturopathy to treat anxiety or depression? 

It is important to be aware that natural remedies for anxiety and depression may interact with medicines.

For example, St John's Wort can interact with certain antidepressants, and herbal supplements can affect the absorption of prescription medicines. Such interactions may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment or cause side effects. Taking supplements and herbal remedies on your own can be dangerous and it is always important to consult a naturopath or healthcare professional.

 

Can a naturopath help provide long-term strategies for well-being?

Regular consultations with a naturopath can help you adjust your holistic treatment plan to meet your changing needs. Self-care includes daily mindfulness practices, adequate sleep, a balanced diet, and physical activity to maintain emotional balance. Stress management through meditation and other techniques remains essential. Building a strong support network and proactively addressing underlying issues also contribute to sustainable mental health.

These strategies, combined with ongoing guidance from a natural health practitioner, can help individuals develop resilience and enjoy sustainable mental health over the long term.

 

Legal and ethical considerations

Naturopaths follow ethical guidelines and legal regulations to maintain professional standards and patient safety. These guidelines include principles such as informed consent, patient confidentiality and advocacy of the highest level of care. Naturopaths are usually regulated by associations that ensure that practitioners meet educational and ethical requirements. These regulations are in place to protect patients and maintain the integrity of naturopathic practice. It is essential that anyone seeking naturopathic treatment checks the qualifications and registration of practitioners, promoting trust and accountability in the profession, while ensuring access to safe and ethical treatment for anxiety and depression.

 

In summary, Naturopathy offers a holistic, evidence-based approach to effectively treating anxiety and depression. By incorporating personalised nutrition, herbal remedies, lifestyle changes and mind-body cultivation, mental wellbeing and resilience can be promoted. Collaboration with healthcare professionals ensures safe and comprehensive care, leading to lasting emotional balance and overall wellbeing.

The information provided here is for general guidance only and you should consult your naturopath or health care professional for individual advice.

 

 

About the Author

Yoshimi Hofmann

Yoshimi made the move to be surrounded by nature, residing in the Blue Mountains and she is originally from Japan. She offers Naturopathy & Authentic Japanese Reiki Energy healing plus Mindfulness Meditation to support her clients wellbeing from many aspects. Yoshimi specialises in reducing stress levels and supporting the happiness of her clients by using natural therapies and energetic healing.

See Profile
© 2025 Bodhi Holistic HubTMTerms|Privacy