Herbs that may be used for mental health

[Cranky]

Herbs that may be used for mental health

Although there have been tests on many herbs, there is often no conclusive information about what side effects may occur and how likely they are. However, in comparison to the majority of pharmaceuticals, herbs are well tolerated. It’s worth remembering that herbal remedies have been used safely for a very long time.

Damiana
A herb, Damiana Turnera diffusa. ( Plant family: Turneraceae.) Comes as a leaf, powder, capsule, tincture or fluid extract.
What's it for?
A tonic herb to strengthen the reproductive and nervous systems. For mild to moderate depression and anxiety associated with fatigue. Also for lack of sexual desire.
Possible side effects
No reported side effects.
Caution
Turnera can be very stimulating, so, if you are self-prescribing, use the minimum dosage.

Gingko biloba
Extract from a Chinese tree. (Plant family: Gingkoaceae.) Comes as tablets, liquid or tea.
What's it for?
Memory and other age-related mental effects. Can be helpful for depression, and when an antidepressant reduces interest in sex. Gingko has a powerful influence on the circulatory system, and research has been undertaken into how it affects Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Possible side effects
Rare. Stomach upset, headache, allergic skin reactions, or slight dizziness, on occasion.

Kava kava
A shrub, Piper methysticum, a member of the pepper family. (Plant family: Piperaceae.) Comes as pills, capsules, liquids, tea, tincture or spray. Currently unavailable in the UK.
What's it for?
Anxiety and stress. May also be helpful for sleep, pain and depression. Used for chronic irritation of the urinary tract and for some arthritis.
Possible side effects
Generally well tolerated. Exceptionally, people have experienced stomach discomfort, headache, tiredness and wobbliness.
Caution
Consult your doctor if you are already taking sedatives.

Lavender
A herb, Lavendula officinalis. (Plant family: Labiatae.) Available as a tea, essential oil and in some over-the-counter preparations.
What’s it for?
A safe herb, generally used to influence the nervous system, digestive system, circulation and skin. Aids sluggish digestion and sleep, and relieves tension headaches. Also used by herbalists to help people with mild to moderate depression, and to ease pain.
Possible side effects
No reported side effects.

Lemon balm
A herb, Melissa officinalis. (Plant family: Labiatae.) Available as a tea and essential oil.
What’s it for?
Anxiety, irritability, insomnia, headaches and period pains.
Possible side effects
No reported side effects.

Peppermint
Mentha piperita. (Plant family: Labiatae.) Comes as herb, powder, capsule, essential oil, tincture and fluid extract.
What's it for?
Commonly used by sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome. Useful for those who experience nausea due to emotional disruption, for digestive spasm and pain, mild diarrhoea, headaches and migraine.
Caution
Do not use medicinally in children under five. Do not use during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.

St John's wort
A herb, Hypericum perforatum. (Plant family: Guttiferae.) Comes as tablets, capsules, liquid, tea, tincture, ointment and oil.
What's it for?
Depression. Clinical trials confirm its benefits for treating mild depression. May also be helpful for anxiety, sleep problems and seasonal affective disorder (SAD). It can influence the nervous system, the body's defences (the immune system) and the glands, and can be used, internally and externally, for a wide range of symptoms. Herbalists may use St John’s wort to influence a number of health problems, including nerve damage, menopausal symptoms and viral infections.
Possible side effects
Mild nausea, headaches, sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation, itchiness, restlessness, dizziness, mania (in manic depression) and sunburn. Has been shown in scientific trials to have fewer side effects than older antidepressants.
Caution
Do not use it if you are taking medication (including the contraceptive pill) without seeking professional advice. May thin the blood. The Medicines Control Agency suggests it should not be used with drugs such as Warfarin, anticonvulsants and certain antidepressants. Increases the skin's sensitivity to sun.

Valerian
A common plant, Valeriana officinalis. (Plant family: Valerianaceae.) Comes in capsules, pills, liquid extracts, tinctures, infusions, and tea.
What's it for?
Anxiety and stress. It may be helpful for depression and for sleep problems. Herbalists may use valerian in combination with other herbs for pain management and to influence a whole range of health problems that may be exacerbated by disruption of the nervous system.
Possible side effects
Mild headaches, feeling sick, nervousness, palpitations, grogginess on waking. Long-term use at large doses may increase the range and severity of side effects.


cranky

[Dawg]

I take St. Johns wort every winter....helps keep the blues at bay ;)
Great post cranky :D

[icarus]

BUMP

just wanted to bump and say thanks for this post!

natural remedies in general, imo, are not used enough these days. seems like all the commercials on tv these days are for another drug from the pharmaceutical companies to treat the symptoms and side effects of the other drugs they've got you on. i think the power of natural remedies is underestimated and overlooked too often...

i've had trouble with sleeping and anxiety for a loooong time. doctor's have tried all kinds of sleeping pills and anxiolitics, but the most relief i've found comes from lavendar. i put lavendar flowers in a small bag made out of fine mesh fabric, like organza or something similar, in my pillow case (i use a bag approximately 3" x 5" so that it will lay flat against the pillow). when i climb into bed, i scratch the surface of my pillow where the bag is to help release some of the oils. it's extremely relaxing :D

[Pistol Pete]

For Cold Winters And Aching Joints;
One Teaspoon Of Cayanne Pepper Sprinkled Into Each Shoe You Are Wearing!
This Is An Old Alberta Post Office Trick Used By Posties Who Deliver Mail In Sub Minus 40 Degree Weather
For The Arthritis Sufferer , The cayanne Is Absorbed Subcutaniously And Provides great Relief To Joints ;)
PP

[SmokinMa]

St. Johns Wort is a good one, and I use it occassionally sometimes too.

Great post, sometime I may look into those other ones.

[CylonBud]

For Cold Winters And Aching Joints;
One Teaspoon Of Cayanne Pepper Sprinkled Into Each Shoe You Are Wearing!
This Is An Old Alberta Post Office Trick Used By Posties Who Deliver Mail In Sub Minus 40 Degree Weather
For The Arthritis Sufferer , The cayanne Is Absorbed Subcutaniously And Provides great Relief To Joints ;)
PP

I'll have to give this a try this winter.:D We have plenty of winter in Buffalo.:eek:

[San]

Great thread 2thumbs

Comfry: AKA knit-bone, for good reason ;) apply a poultice to sprains, broken limbs, burns, ulcers, arthritus joints etc.

Some people call it a "miracle cure" specially on ulcers that won't heal, like deep burns, or really bad bone breaks like smashed hands ;)

San:smokin:

[Pistol Pete]

San; Comfrey Is The Oldest Recorded Anti Infammatory;) Preparation Mash And Boil , Then Wrap Affected Joint With he Large Borage Leaves
Comfrey/Borage Is Also A Great Insect Repellant, BTW
PP:)

Thanks San:)

[San]

Comfrey/Borage Is Also A Great Insect Repellant

Funny, I've read about Borage in old english texts, but never put the two [comfrey] together. It grows abundant on old rubbish tips and midden fields over here, maybe because the seeds were used often in olden times, borage tea was a common pick me up, said to give courage :)

This thread has inspired me to make some 2thumbs I'll keep my eye out for some seeds this week.

It's also good worm food if you're making your own wormcastings, the wriggly fuggers love it, handy since most of the kitchen scraps go to the chicks thesedays ;)

San:smokin: