Occasional, fleeting feelings of sadness, anxiety and even panic are part of the normal human emotional spectrum. However, when these feelings become frequent, severe or long-lasting, they may be symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder. All of these disorders are treatable, often with a combination of psychotherapy and medication. Some herbal treatments may help, but untreated psychological disorders can lead to severe consequences at work and home. If anxiety, panic or depression are causing difficulties in your life, seek professional treatment.
Herbs for Anxiety
A review of herbal treatments for anxiety published in the journal "Phytomedicine" reported that kava, bacopa and passionflower reduced anxiety symptoms in small clinical studies. Kava, now widely touted as an anxiety treatment, was originally used in the Pacific Islands as a relaxant for promoting conviviality at celebrations and ceremonial occasions. Bacopa is an Ayurvedic herb used not only for anxiety but also as a cognitive booster. Passionflower has a long history of use as a Native American remedy for seizures, insomnia and anxiety. Ask your physician before using these herbal treatments for anxiety or any other health condition.
Herbs for Panic Disorder
"Dr. Earl Mindell's Natural Remedies for 150 Ailments" suggests ginkgo biloba, skullcap, St. John's wort and valerian for panic disorder. Ginkgo biloba, derived from the world's oldest species of trees, may also boost cognition and memory. Skullcap is North American herb employed for a number of nervous conditions. St. John's wort is best known as an antidepressant, and valerian, often used to promote sleep, has sedative effects. No scientific studies have directly proven the utility of these herbs for panic disorder. Consult a qualified health care practitioner before using these herbs for panic or any other condition.
Depression
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends ginkgo biloba at a dose of 40 to 80 mg three times daily for depression. Much more research is necessary to understand its effects, but studies of ginkgo for memory problems indicated that the herb seemed to also alleviate depression in older adults. The Center also lists St. John's wort standardized extract as an herbal treatment for mild-to-moderate depression, at a dose of 300 mg two to three times per day. St. John's wort has been used to treat depression since the time of the ancient Greeks, and is widely prescribed in Europe for that purpose. Use these herbal treatments only under the supervision of a qualified health care professional.
Considerations
Herbal treatments are classified as dietary supplements by the Food and Drug Administration. As such, they are regulated very differently than prescription medications. Prescription pharmaceutical companies must prove to the FDA that a prescription medication is safe and effective before it can be sold. In contrast, manufacturers of dietary supplements need not register their products or get FDA approval before they go on sale. That means that buyers should educate themselves about the effects of an herbal treatment before using it.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Depression
- "Phytomedicine"; Herbal Remedies for Anxiety -- A Systematic Review of Controlled Clinical Trials; E. Ernst; August 2005
- "Dr. Earl Mindell's Natural Remedies for 150 Ailments"; Earl Mindell; 2005
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