Exploring the Link between Stress, Gut Health, and Medicinal Plants in Disease Management

This study explores the complex and bidirectional relationship between stress, gut health, and the therapeutic use of medicinal plants in the management of stress-related diseases, including cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Chronic stress has been found to disrupt gut homeostasis, increase intestinal permeability, and alter the microbiome, leading to a cascade of immune and metabolic dysfunctions. This review outlines the physiological stress responses and their interaction with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, highlighting the role of the gut–brain–microbiome axis in disease progression. Furthermore, the study investigates the pharmacological potential of medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, and antioxidant properties, such as Psidium guajava, Mentha piperita, and Curcuma longa, in modulating gut health and reducing stress-induced disorders. Drawing from emerging clinical evidence and traditional medicine, the paper emphasizes how botanical therapies can be integrated into holistic approaches for managing complex diseases and improving patient quality of life. Keywords: Chronic stress, Gut-brain axis, Gut microbiota, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, Medicinal plants, Phytochemicals, Intestinal permeability.