5 HTP.Calm Ingredients

Natural Balance manufactures HTP.Calm, a blend of dietary supplements. It contains 50 mg of 5-HTP, 300 mg of St. John's wort standardized to .3 percent hypericin, 20 mg of vitamin B-6 and a 590 mg proprietary blend of passion flower, gotu kola and kava kava. HTP.Calm is marketed for mood support. Consult your doctor before taking HTP.Calm.

5-HTP

Your body makes 5-HTP from tryptophan, an amino acid. It is the precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, a brain chemical that plays a role in your mood. 5-HTP may help improve mood due to its role in serotonin production. It can be toxic, however, at high doses. However, health care professionals typically recommend taking 50 mg up to three times daily, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort is a perennial plant. The leaves and flowers are used in herbal medicine. It contains an active chemical called hypericin, which is commonly used for depression. A typical dose is 300 mg standardized to .3 percent hypericin up to three times daily. Side effects include restlessness, anxiety, stomach upset and diarrhea. Talk to your doctor before taking St. John's wort or supplements containing this herb.

Proprietary Blend

Passionflower, kava kava and gotu kola are the plants used in herbal medicine for anxiety and insomnia. A typical passionflower dose is dose of 90 mg daily. Kava kava typically taken in a standardized dose of 150 to 300 mg up to three times daily. A typical gotu kola dose is 1 to 4 grams up to three times daily. These herbs can also cause drowsiness. Take these herbs only after consulting your doctor.

Vitamin B-6

Vitamin B-6 is a water-soluble vitamin. It is part of a group of eight vitamins known as B complex. Your body uses B-6 along with other B vitamins to produce healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your organs and tissues. You generally get enough B-6 from your diet from meat, poultry, fish, beans and fortified cereals.

Safety

Clinical data supporting the safety of this combination of herbs and nutrients are lacking. It is important to talk to your doctor before taking HTP.Calm. All supplements have the capacity to interact other drugs. Tell your doctor if you are currently on prescribed medication. You should not take HTP.Calm if you are pregnant or nursing.