Better Body Clinical Nutrition
BLOG
Enter Text
Natural Alternative Strategies to the Top Ten Prescription Drugs – Part 5
Thursday, May 2, 2024 7:40 AM
Article by Mark Anderson of Standard Process West
and Kerry Bone of MediHerb.
- Nebel OT, Fornes MF, Castell DO. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: incidence and precipitating factors. AM J Dig Dis. 1976;21(11)”953-956
- Spechler SJ. Epidemiology and natural history of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Digestion. 1992;51(supp 1):24-29.
DEPRESSION
Background Issues
• Like anxiety, depression is often linked to a medical disorder. It can also be linked to substance abuse and the side effects of drugs.
• Unipolar depressive disorders (depression without a manic or hypomanic phase) which are not associated with medica illness are classified as major depression, dysthymic disorder and SAD.
• Depression may be associated with prolonged anxiety or stress. Hypersecretion of ACTH from the pituitary is often a feature.
• Some depressed patients present with increased susceptibility to infections, and both this aspect and the depression should be treated.
• Impaired circulation to the brain, especially in elderly patients, is a cause of depression.
Therapeutic Strategy: Goals, Actions and Herbs –
• Herbal support is most appropriate for mild to moderate episodes of depression, dysthymic disorder, and SAD.
• The nervine tonic herbs are the mainstay of herbal support, especially St John’s Wort, which is well-proven support for mild to moderate depression. Other important herbs in this category include Vervain, Damiana, Bacopa and Skullcap. St John’s Wort has also been shown to be effective in SAD.
• Patients who are also anxious should be given anxiolytic herbs. Valerian and Passionflower are useful, but Hops is contraindicated.
• Depressed patients are low in vitality, so adrenal tonic, tonic and adaptogenic herbs are often indicated. Korean Ginseng may have antidepressant activity, but it should be used cautiously if anxiety is present. Licorice and Schisandra also have exhibited some antidepressant activity in animal models.
• These herbs will also help to correct the adverse long-term effects of stress on the physiology of the stress response.
• If required, herbs which improve circulation to the brain should be prescribed, especially Ginkgo.
MENTAL SUPPORT –
- St John’s Wort
- Navaton
- Withania Complex
- Valerian Complex
- Ginkgo
NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT –
- Orchex
- Min-Tran
- Wheat Germ Perles
- Inositol
- Catalyn
- Cataplex G
- Tuna Omega 3
and Kerry Bone of MediHerb.
- Nebel OT, Fornes MF, Castell DO. Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux: incidence and precipitating factors. AM J Dig Dis. 1976;21(11)”953-956
- Spechler SJ. Epidemiology and natural history of gastro-esophageal reflux disease. Digestion. 1992;51(supp 1):24-29.
DEPRESSION
Background Issues
• Like anxiety, depression is often linked to a medical disorder. It can also be linked to substance abuse and the side effects of drugs.
• Unipolar depressive disorders (depression without a manic or hypomanic phase) which are not associated with medica illness are classified as major depression, dysthymic disorder and SAD.
• Depression may be associated with prolonged anxiety or stress. Hypersecretion of ACTH from the pituitary is often a feature.
• Some depressed patients present with increased susceptibility to infections, and both this aspect and the depression should be treated.
• Impaired circulation to the brain, especially in elderly patients, is a cause of depression.
Therapeutic Strategy: Goals, Actions and Herbs –
• Herbal support is most appropriate for mild to moderate episodes of depression, dysthymic disorder, and SAD.
• The nervine tonic herbs are the mainstay of herbal support, especially St John’s Wort, which is well-proven support for mild to moderate depression. Other important herbs in this category include Vervain, Damiana, Bacopa and Skullcap. St John’s Wort has also been shown to be effective in SAD.
• Patients who are also anxious should be given anxiolytic herbs. Valerian and Passionflower are useful, but Hops is contraindicated.
• Depressed patients are low in vitality, so adrenal tonic, tonic and adaptogenic herbs are often indicated. Korean Ginseng may have antidepressant activity, but it should be used cautiously if anxiety is present. Licorice and Schisandra also have exhibited some antidepressant activity in animal models.
• These herbs will also help to correct the adverse long-term effects of stress on the physiology of the stress response.
• If required, herbs which improve circulation to the brain should be prescribed, especially Ginkgo.
MENTAL SUPPORT –
- St John’s Wort
- Navaton
- Withania Complex
- Valerian Complex
- Ginkgo
NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT –
- Orchex
- Min-Tran
- Wheat Germ Perles
- Inositol
- Catalyn
- Cataplex G
- Tuna Omega 3
Click on the subscribe button below to sign up for our monthly newsletter
