Can herbal medicine help people with anxiety, panic & PTSD? - Ask the Herbalist - post-traumatic stress disorder

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, August-Sept, 2002 by Andrew Gaeddert

What if you cannot find an herbalist to work with? Although there are many over the counter herbs sold for anxiety, these should be used cautiously with medications. Perhaps the safest are lavender essential oil which can be applied topically to the inner wrists and added to a bath, and Rescue Remedy a gentle herbal medicine which can be added to water and sipped on throughout the day.

In our experience the following popular herbs work best when combined with professionally prescribed constitutional tonic herbs. Like foods, herbs work best when used in combination. The well known herbal antidepressant, St. John's wort, has been found to interact with a variety of pharmaceutical drugs, so it is best used by clients who are not taking medications. In a few cases, it has also caused a photosensitive skin reaction. Ginkgo leaf is used to promote blood flow. Lately it has been used to help alleviate the side effects of sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants. Clients need to take ginkgo for at least six weeks to observe clinical benefits. It has been reported to interact with blood thinning medications, including aspirin and coumadin. Kava Kava has natural sedative and muscle relaxant properties. Clinical studies have demonstrated it to be safe and effective. It should only be used under professional supervision if clients are taking sedating drugs. It should not be used before driving or operating heavy machinery as a general precaution. Constitutional tonics include Shen Gem, qi and blood tonic for clients with anxiety, fatigue, pallor, and difficulty falling asleep; Calm Spirit for heart yin deficiency with anxiety, dryness or heat, and waking up frequently at night; Source Qi for loose stools, and fatigue; Rehmannia 8 for fear, coldness, low back pain and frequent urination. Shizandra Dreams or Griffonex 5-HTP can be used before bed to help clients enjoy more restful sleep.

Herbal therapy, when appropriately used, can offer many benefits to clients suffering from anxiety and panic disorders. Botanicals are often more suitable than drugs for highly sensitive patients and individuals who have previous herb experience. They should be combined with techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Whenever possible, use herbs under the direction of a professional herbalist.