I mentioned St. John's Wort briefly in an earlier post. I want to add some more information about this herbal remedy today.
It is the most herbal remedy for treating depression, and has been the subject of numerous studies, and been tested against pharmaceutical remedies; it has often worked at least as well as the pharmaceutical drugs in the study, and with fewer side effects.
(One caution, if you are taking any other medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking St. John's Wort, or any other herbal remedy, to be sure there are no interactions between the drug and the herbal remedy.)
This herbal remedy is approved by the German Commission E to treat anxiety and depressive moods. (The German Commission E is the German Regulatory Authority's herbal watchdog agency, which conducted extensive assessments of scientific data about 300 common herbal remedies; they listed the uses for which the herbal remedies may be considered effective. Their conclusions are considered to be the best expert consensus on medicinal herbs currently available.)
St. John's Wort may increase sensitivity to sunlight, especially if there is a past history of photosensitivity (that just means sensitivity to light). For most people, this reaction is dose related, and would require a massive dose, about 8 ounces for someone weighing 150 pounds. The recommended dose is generally in the area of 300-900 mg daily, usually in several doses. Check the dosage recommendations from the manufacturer of any herbal remedy you may take, as different manufacturers produce products of different strengths. It is also a good idea to discuss the appropriate dosage with a professional herbalist, or your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are suffering from depression, I cannot urge you strongly enough to check with your doctor or other qualified health professional to rule out any major health problems.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
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Saturday, August 02, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Herbal Remedies and Depression
I have been talking about herbal remedies and sleeplessness for the last few days, I want to move to a slightly different topic, depression.
Depression can be a cause of sleeplessness, some of the traditional herbal remedies for depression also affect sleeplessness and insomnia.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression affects nearly 21 million Americans. there are many symptoms of depression, which may include: persistent sad , anxious feelings; hopelessness, worthlessness, helplessness; restlessness or irritability; difficulty concentrating; difficulty making decisions; insomnia or excessive sleeping; overheating or loss of appetite; thoughts of suicide; persistent pains or headaches, or digestive problems that do not respond to treatment.
Depression can range from mild to severe, and symptoms vary from person to person.
If you suffer from depression, please consult a medical professional, especially if your symptoms are severe.
There are herbal remedies which have traditionally been used to treat depression, I will discuss them in the coming days.
I want to start with just a few remarks about St. John's wort, also called Hypericum perforatum.
There were some studies reported in the press, which said that St. John's wort was not effective for treating depression. The studies this information was based on are considered flawed, according to reports on the National Institute of Health's website: "However, due to problems with the designs of these studies, they cannot be considered definitive. Overall, the scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of St. John's wort in mild-to-moderate major depression. The evidence in severe major depression remains unclear."
If you would like to read the full entry about St. John's wort, it is available at this link: NIH St Johns wort report.
I will have more to say about St. John's wort in the coming days.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
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herbal remedies, herbs, natural remedies, alternative remedies
Depression can be a cause of sleeplessness, some of the traditional herbal remedies for depression also affect sleeplessness and insomnia.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, depression affects nearly 21 million Americans. there are many symptoms of depression, which may include: persistent sad , anxious feelings; hopelessness, worthlessness, helplessness; restlessness or irritability; difficulty concentrating; difficulty making decisions; insomnia or excessive sleeping; overheating or loss of appetite; thoughts of suicide; persistent pains or headaches, or digestive problems that do not respond to treatment.
Depression can range from mild to severe, and symptoms vary from person to person.
If you suffer from depression, please consult a medical professional, especially if your symptoms are severe.
There are herbal remedies which have traditionally been used to treat depression, I will discuss them in the coming days.
I want to start with just a few remarks about St. John's wort, also called Hypericum perforatum.
There were some studies reported in the press, which said that St. John's wort was not effective for treating depression. The studies this information was based on are considered flawed, according to reports on the National Institute of Health's website: "However, due to problems with the designs of these studies, they cannot be considered definitive. Overall, the scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of St. John's wort in mild-to-moderate major depression. The evidence in severe major depression remains unclear."
If you would like to read the full entry about St. John's wort, it is available at this link: NIH St Johns wort report.
I will have more to say about St. John's wort in the coming days.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
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Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Herbal Remedies for Sleeplessness and Anxiety- Lemon Verbena
Yesterday, I talked about Lemon Balm; today, I want to talk about a similar herbal remedy for sleeplessness, Lemon Verbena.
The botanical name of this herb is Aloysia triphylla. It is a popular herbal remedy in France, in fact, it is on many restaurant menus under the name, Vervaine Oderante.
The French use this remedy for relief of upset stomach, and other disorders of the digestive system, and for agitation and insomnia. It is also used as a flavoring agent in medicinal teas, since it has a pleasant lemony taste.
This herb is also a very safe herb, with no side effects or adverse reactions noted.
You can read a longer article I wrote about Herbal Sleep Remedies here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Herbal-Sleep-Remedies&id=2372875.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
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The botanical name of this herb is Aloysia triphylla. It is a popular herbal remedy in France, in fact, it is on many restaurant menus under the name, Vervaine Oderante.
The French use this remedy for relief of upset stomach, and other disorders of the digestive system, and for agitation and insomnia. It is also used as a flavoring agent in medicinal teas, since it has a pleasant lemony taste.
This herb is also a very safe herb, with no side effects or adverse reactions noted.
You can read a longer article I wrote about Herbal Sleep Remedies here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Herbal-Sleep-Remedies&id=2372875.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Herbs For Sleeplessness-Lemon Balm
Today, I want to talk a little about the herbal remedy, Lemon Balm, also called Melissa (its botanical name is Melissa officianalis), which has a long history of use to treat sleeplessness, as well as nervousness and anxiety.
This herb is very safe, with no health hazards or side effects noted at therapeutic dosages, (300-400mg in capsules, or several cups of an infusion steeped in boiling water per day.)
Not only has it been used at least since the 17th century, but recently, it was included in the German Commission E monographs, and approved as a natural remedy for nervousness and insomnia.
It also has some calming effect on digestive disturbances, as well as some anti-bacterial properties.
It is a useful addition to the herbal medicine chest for insomnia and sleeplessness.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
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This herb is very safe, with no health hazards or side effects noted at therapeutic dosages, (300-400mg in capsules, or several cups of an infusion steeped in boiling water per day.)
Not only has it been used at least since the 17th century, but recently, it was included in the German Commission E monographs, and approved as a natural remedy for nervousness and insomnia.
It also has some calming effect on digestive disturbances, as well as some anti-bacterial properties.
It is a useful addition to the herbal medicine chest for insomnia and sleeplessness.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
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herbal remedies, herbs, natural remedies, alternative remedies
Monday, July 28, 2008
Herbal Remedies for Stress and Sleeplessness- Rhodiola rosea
I mentioned an adaptogenic herb called Rhodiola rosea, also called Arctic root or Golden root in an earlier post, and said I would discuss it further this week.
Adaptogen is a word coined by researchers seeking to describe the effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus, also known as Siberian Ginseng; they had observed that as stress on the experimental subjects increased, the effect of the Eleutherococcus seemed to be stronger. Their observation was that the herb somehow helped the body adapt to the stressor, whether it was physical or psychological. The researchers thought the word "adaptogen" was the best way to describe this ability of the herb to help the body function under stress.
Further research has led to other herbs also being classed as adaptogens, among them is Rhodiola rosea. (While there are other varieties of Rhodiola, Rhodiola rosea is the type most studied, and thought to be the most effective.)
Rhodiola rosea helps the body adapt to many different types of stress, but also has other health benefits.
It seems to both stimulate mental function, while calming the emotions; it appears to help the memory, and improve concentration.
Rhodiola rosea also helps improve the energy levels of the body, and make it more resistant to fatigue, as well as improving recovery time after strenuous exertion.
This herbal remedy also seems to have strong anti-oxidant effects, and Rhodiola extract was shown to reduce C-reactive protein, a protein that increases during systemic inflammation (meaning wide spread or general inflammation, rather than a local inflammation which may occur with an injury), and C-reactive protein seems to show increased risk for heart disease. For more information about C-reactive protein, see the American Heart Association website .
Chinese researchers have also demonstrated the ability of Rhodiola rosea to reduce feelings of agitation, and sleeplessness, and described calming and sleep inducing effects from the herb. There are also preliminary reports that Rhodiola rosea has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects.
The many positive effects of this herbal remedy suggest that it is a good addition to anyone's herbal repertoire. The only caution I have seen for this herb is that it may cause feelings of agitation in high doses. The average doses I have seen range from 200-400mg of standardized extract daily. (I always suggest starting at the lowest dose, and increasing if needed, as long as there are no side effects.)
As always, consult with your doctor, or a professional herbalist, before taking any herbal remedy.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
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Adaptogen is a word coined by researchers seeking to describe the effect of Eleutherococcus senticosus, also known as Siberian Ginseng; they had observed that as stress on the experimental subjects increased, the effect of the Eleutherococcus seemed to be stronger. Their observation was that the herb somehow helped the body adapt to the stressor, whether it was physical or psychological. The researchers thought the word "adaptogen" was the best way to describe this ability of the herb to help the body function under stress.
Further research has led to other herbs also being classed as adaptogens, among them is Rhodiola rosea. (While there are other varieties of Rhodiola, Rhodiola rosea is the type most studied, and thought to be the most effective.)
Rhodiola rosea helps the body adapt to many different types of stress, but also has other health benefits.
It seems to both stimulate mental function, while calming the emotions; it appears to help the memory, and improve concentration.
Rhodiola rosea also helps improve the energy levels of the body, and make it more resistant to fatigue, as well as improving recovery time after strenuous exertion.
This herbal remedy also seems to have strong anti-oxidant effects, and Rhodiola extract was shown to reduce C-reactive protein, a protein that increases during systemic inflammation (meaning wide spread or general inflammation, rather than a local inflammation which may occur with an injury), and C-reactive protein seems to show increased risk for heart disease. For more information about C-reactive protein, see the American Heart Association website .
Chinese researchers have also demonstrated the ability of Rhodiola rosea to reduce feelings of agitation, and sleeplessness, and described calming and sleep inducing effects from the herb. There are also preliminary reports that Rhodiola rosea has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects.
The many positive effects of this herbal remedy suggest that it is a good addition to anyone's herbal repertoire. The only caution I have seen for this herb is that it may cause feelings of agitation in high doses. The average doses I have seen range from 200-400mg of standardized extract daily. (I always suggest starting at the lowest dose, and increasing if needed, as long as there are no side effects.)
As always, consult with your doctor, or a professional herbalist, before taking any herbal remedy.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
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herbal remedies, herbs, natural remedies, alternative remedies
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Some Book Recommendations to Learn About Herbal Remedies
The first book is a favorite of mine, with a lot of information, and aimed at the general reader, rather than the health professional.
Prescription for Herbal Healing
This book is an excellent resource; I personally own several editions. It is very thorough, but aimed at herbal practitioners and medical professionals.
PDR for Herbal Medicine
This next book is one of the definitive texts on Chinese Herbal Medicine, and highly recommended, if your interest is in Chinese herbs.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica
The next book is an introduction to the concepts of Traditional Chinese medicine, written by American acupuncturists, and, also contains some information about Chinese herbs.
Between Heaven and Earth
If you want to explore the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I highly recommend the book by Ted Kaptchuk
The Web That Has No Weaver.
The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
Technorati Tags:
herbal remedies, herbs, natural remedies, alternative remedies
Prescription for Herbal Healing
This book is an excellent resource; I personally own several editions. It is very thorough, but aimed at herbal practitioners and medical professionals.
PDR for Herbal Medicine
This next book is one of the definitive texts on Chinese Herbal Medicine, and highly recommended, if your interest is in Chinese herbs.
Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica
The next book is an introduction to the concepts of Traditional Chinese medicine, written by American acupuncturists, and, also contains some information about Chinese herbs.
Between Heaven and Earth
If you want to explore the concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I highly recommend the book by Ted Kaptchuk
The Web That Has No Weaver
.The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.
Technorati Tags:
herbal remedies, herbs, natural remedies, alternative remedies
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