Herbal Medicines In The Treatment of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders
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Abstract
Objective: This review will indicate the quality of the evidence supporting the clinical effects of a number of commonly used types of herbal medicines for psychiatric and neurological disorders.Method: We conducted a review of literature to understand the biochemical and evidential bases for the use of herbs in psychiatric and neurological disorders as follow: 1) Alzheimer’s disease, 2) Depression, 3) Anxiety, 4) Insomnia, 5) Substance use disorders, 6) Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 7) Migraine.
Results: Evidences support use of Ginkgo biloba, Huperzine A, Galantamine, Melissa officinalis,and Salvia officinalis for Alzheimer’s disease; St. John’s wort, Lavender, and Saffron for depression; Passionflower, and Kava, for anxiety disorders; Valerian, and English Lavender for sleep disorders; Hypericum for substance related disorders; Ginkgo biloba, and Passionflower for ADHD; and feverfew, and Butterbur root for migraine. The highest level of confidence derives from well-designed, randomized, double blind controlled studies.
Conclusion: Herbs may have beneficial effects in variety of psychiatric and neurological disorder; however we must consider their potential side effects and drug-drug interactions.
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| Issue | Vol 1 No 1 (2006) | |
| Section | Articles | |
| Keywords | ||
| Anxiety Dementia Depression Herbal medicine Psychiatry | ||
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