ALTERNATIVES TO DRUGS

[Guest guest]

Alternatives

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Herbal remedies are enjoying an increasing popularity as alternatives to

conventional drugs for psychiatric conditions. Nevertheless, most of the studies

involved adults so their impact on children is not clear. Always seek the

advice of a qualified health practitioner. [A note of caution: If your child is

already taking psychiatric drugs, do not stop the treatment without first

consulting your doctor or an experienced practitioner.]

 

* St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).

There is substantial evidence of the antidepressant effects of this herb.

When children aged under 12 years with mild-to-moderate depression were treated

for four to six weeks with 300-1800 mg/day, St John’s wort was effective and

well-tolerated - with no adverse effects (Phytother Res, 2001; 15: 367-70).

 

* Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra).

The components in liquorice inhibit the reuptake of serotonin in much the

same way as do SSRI antidepressants such as Prozac, making it of potential

benefit in mild-to-moderate depression (J Mol Neurosci, 2003; 20: 135-40).

 

* Griffonia simplicifolia. The seeds of this African plant contain

5-hydrotryptophan (5-HTP), the intermediate form of tryptophan during its

conversion to

serotonin that has antidepressant effects that appear to be more consistent

than those of tryptophan (Biol Psychiatry, 1981; 16: 291-310; J Clin

Psychopharmacol, 1987; 7: 127-37).

 

* Rhodiola rosea.

Its active ingredients rosavin and salidroside alleviate depression by

enhancing the transport of tryptophan and 5-HTP, and diminishing the action of

catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), an enzyme that breaks down serotonin

(Saratikov AS, Krasnov EA. Rhodiola rosea is a Valuable Medicinal Plant (Golden

Root).

Tomsk, Russia: Tomsk State University Press, 1987).

 

* Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). A well-known sleeping aid, Germany’s

Commission E recommends 2-3 g of the dried root at least once a day for

restlessness and nervous disturbance of sleep (Blumenthal M. The Complete German

Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin, TX:

American

Botanical Council, 1998)

 

* Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).

A preparation of six herbal extracts (Passiflora, Crataegus, Ballota,

Valeriana, Cola and Paullinia) eased anxiety symptoms in 182 patients with

adjustment

disorder compared with a placebo (Fundamental Clin Pharmacol, 1997; 11:

127-32)

 

* Ginkgo biloba.

This herb increases blood flow in the brain, boosting the delivery of oxygen

and nutrients, and the clearing of cellular waste products. Ginkgo is

traditionally used in combination with St John’s wort for treating more severe

cases

of depression (LaValle JB et al. Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide. Hudson, OH:

LexiComp; 2000: 441-2).

 

* Water hyssop (Bacopa monnieri).

This Ayurvedic herb (brahmi) increased learning ability in rats (J

Ethnopharmacol, 1982; 5: 205-14). Although this result may not necessarily apply

to

humans, there are anecdotal reports of mentally retarded children showing

significant improvements in short- and long-term memory when treated with

Bacopa.

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

For the last few years I have been suffering from ulcerative inflammation of the

colon, ulcer disease, diabetes, hypertension and neurasthenia. I was very sick

and weak, I had strong headaches, severe abdomen pains and diarrhoea; my stools

contained blood. The pressure on the left ureter causing urine retention in the

kidney was a result of intestine disease according to my medics. I was taking

heaps of medication for my problems; I weighed 115 kg.

I have been implementing the optimal diet for the last 6 weeks. During that time

I have lost 18 kg of body weight! My blood sugar level was between 18-22 mmol

(224-280 mg%) even though every day I took 6 pills to reduce it.

I stopped taking the diabetes pills after only 5 days and since then the sugar

level has remained within the normal range. I stopped taking the

anti-hypertension pills after a week since the blood pressure has normalised.

These days a typical pressure is 115/65.

The stomach pains and heartburn were gone after 1 day on the diet.

The abdomen pains, although persisting are minimal, I have no diarrhoea, nor

blood in my stools. Urinary retention is gone. There has been a great

improvement in my neurosis; I stopped taking sedatives from day one of the diet.

I am full of energy and strong. I have regained the will to live and my

enjoyment of life. I have forgotten what a headache is.

Zenon G. from Bytom

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