General Information, Herbal Remedies, Folk Remedies
A Common problem My friends, who deal with many of these mental conditions, have one thing in common they are so occupied with the daily trials of functioning that they have to be reminded to look after their health. This is as important an area to health as any other and especially emotional health. The emotional responses caused by deficiencies and allergies can, and do, fit the DSMIV, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, criteria for mental illness. The cost of allergies In New York State, a lady was confined to an institution as a diagnosed schizophrenic for five years. After trying an elimination diet, it was found she had an allergic reaction to refined sugar. With the removal from her diet of sugar, removal of her symptoms followed. As soon as sugar was reintroduced into the diet, so were the ravages of the mental conditions. Please take this section seriously as the results of nutrition can be profound on your life. Most common allergens: refined sugar, wheat, corn, milk and cigarette smoke. Schizophrenics have a higher copper level when in an active state. This can be helped with supplemental Zinc. Magnesium levels are low when in a Schizophrenic event and normal when in remission, therefore supplementation with this mineral is inexpensive if it helps. Please read and follow This is not to suggest or recommend that you self diagnose or treat a deficiency, but to make you aware of the effect nutrition can play in our mental health. Please use your Physician or health care professional to help with specific vitamin, mineral or herbal supplementation. Deficiency SymptomsVitamin B1: fatigue, insomnia, faulty memory, disturbed sleep patterns and weight loss. Vitamin B6: in infants: mental retardation and convulsions while in adults includes nerve damage, neuropathy and confusion. Vitamin B12: fatigue, depression, hallucinations, memory loss, moodiness, nervousness and heart palpitations. Niacin: fatigue, insomnia, apathy, confusion, hallucinations, memory loss and manic-depressive disorder. Folate: apathy, fatigue, insomnia, memory impairment or loss and paranoia. Biotin: insomnia, weight loss, anxiety attacks, muscle pain, exhaustion and even hallucinations. Para-Aminolenzoic Acid: depression, irritability and fatigue Vitamin C: depression and fatigue. Minerals are an important tool our bodies use to carry out all the functions that are required of it. The toxic levels and interactions between them are too critical to experiment with. A good multiple vitamin and mineral supplement, with trace minerals, from a reputable manufacturer is probably good insurance for us all. Dehydration: in cases of dehydration the fluid and electrolyte, mineral salts, levels in the body can result in confusion, hallucination and coma. General Nutrition: A variety of fresh, organic if possible or frozen, vegetables and fruits with whole grains, rice, cereals, unprocessed if possible, and legumes, beans, peas, etc., should make up the bulk of our diet. This will insure a source of vitamins and minerals that is healthy to our body and mind. It may help to include supplemental enzymes as they are an important part of the diet metabolism and processing to process the vitamins and food we eat. Adding more raw food to the diet will greatly help if you can find a life style change that will facilitate better nutrition. It is also wise to try an elimination diet as some food allergies can cause many varied reactions to our bodies besides the common rash or runny nose symptoms we normally associate with an allergic reaction. Low level allergies can alter our body chemistry as well as effect our immune system.
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Schizophrenia and Depression Evening Primrose Oil (Oenothera biennis) contains large amounts of gamma linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid, which has been shown to have a beneficial effect on our nervous system. It is one of the few remedies traditionally used to treat Schizophrenia. This should have a beneficial effect on depression as well. Remarks: Not suggested for use if you have seizures or epilepsy
From: East North America
Plant Part Used: oil from seeds
Suggested Dosage: up to 6 grams per day divided doses Schizophrenia and Anxiety Albizzia Bark (Albizzia jalibrissin) can help with anger, memory, excessive worry, anxiety and possibly schizophrenia. In Chinese medicine this is called He Huan Pi. Remarks: the flowers are reportedly stronger in action than the root
From: South America
Plant Part Used: root and flowers
Suggested Dosage: up to 10 grams per day divided doses Schizophrenia Indian Snake Root (Rauwolfia serpentina) has a long historical use in India, 3,000 years, for treating extreme mental conditions that today are called schizophrenia. This is an effective plant in the hands of trained professionals. It is the original source of the drug Resperidol but does not have the side effects of manic-depressive behavior found with the pharmaceutical.
Remarks: lowers blood pressure and heart rate and can give a feeling of euphoria. Only use with professional supervision
From: India
Plant Part Used: root
Suggested Dosage: 600 mg per day Anxiety and Insomnia Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is a Chinese herbal that can aid with a sedating effect and a more tonical action on the body. Jujube has been shown to be helpful with anxiety accompanied with a racing heart rate and insomnia caused by dream-disturbed sleep.
Remarks: Astringent in action this may help with night sweats
From: East Asia
Plant Part Used: fruit
Suggested Dosage: no dosage found Anxiety and Insomnia Oriental Arborvitae (Platycladus orientalis) may be effective for short-term use in the problems of anxiety and insomnia. Being calming and sedating in action it is also believed to be beneficial to the functions of the heart.
Remarks: not recommended for use with liver problems or disease
From: China and Northern Asia
Plant Part Used: seed
Suggested Dosage: up to 10 grams per day in divided doses Depression and Anxiety Wild Oats (Avena stiva) is a good plant source of many vitamins and minerals and is thought to have a tonical effect on the nervous system. It is used to relieve stress related depression and anxiety while helping to lower your cholesterol.
Remarks: lowers blood sugar
From: Western Europe
Plant Part Used: leaf and stem
Suggested Dosage: usually taken as a tea Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) is considered one of nature’s best tranquilizers that can be safely used long-term. Non-addictive in action it is useful for chronic cases of anxiety and insomnia.
Remarks: helps to relive pain and the body does not build a tolerance to this plant. Has an anticoagulant effect of blood so discontinue use if surgery is planned and notify your physician.
From: Eastern USA
Plant Part Used: flower
Suggested Dosage: 250 mg to 2 grams per day Depression and Pain Cowslip (Prismula veris) has a mild sedating and relaxing action. This may be a useful addition to your life if depression is caused by pain. The pain relieving action is most effective with nerve pain and stress related tension.
Remarks: large quantities of this may be toxic
From: Europe and Western Asia
Plant Parts Used: leaf and root
Suggested Dosage: 1 cup of tea three times per day Depression, Anxiety and Pain Virginia Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a useful herb for treating depression or anxiety accompanied by muscle pain. Tonical in action on the nervous system and may be useful in treating barbiturate withdrawal.
Remarks: Lowers blood pressure and avoid using in cases of liver damage or disease
From: North America
Plant Part Used: flower, leaf and stem
Suggested Dosage: 1 to 2 grams per day Depression, Anxiety and Pain Wood Betony (Stachys officinalis) can help lift depression and reduce anxiety while easing nerve related pain like sciatica. Betony can also help you breath easier as it is expectorant in action and might even help cure a headache.
Remarks: In ancient times it was thought to be a cure for rabies
From: Europe and Asia
Plant Part Used: leaf and flower
Suggested Dosage: 1 cup of tea up to 3 times per day Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia Chinese Senega (Polygalae tenuifolia) is a useful remedy in that it clears the bronchial airways, asthma, while it calms the emotions. Used traditionally for treatment of mild depression, anxiety and insomnia.
Remarks: may be used externally for healing wounds and fresh for salads
From: Korea, Manchuria, Mongolia and Eastern Asia
Plant Part Used: root
Suggested Dosage: 3 to 6 grams per day in divided doses Anxiety and Impotence Winter Cherry (Withania somniferam) is called Aswagandha in the medicine of India, Ayuvedic, and has been used there for the treatment of anxiety and sexual debility. This is a rejuvenative plant that has effects similar, but milder, to Ginseng.
Remarks: used in India as an anti-aging herb
From: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India
Plant Part Used: root
Suggested Dosage: 2 to 4 grams per day in divided doses Anxiety and Insomnia Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) works similar to the prescription drug Valium but has a more beneficial action to the nervous system. This plant remedy is widely used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
Remarks: does not cause grogginess or dependency
From: Europe, Western Asia and Western USA
Plant Part Used: root
Suggested Dosage: 150 mg twice per day Anxiety Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) is from the South Pacific and has a long history of use for celebrations and treatment of anxiety. It is believed to work on the limbic system in our brain. This area of the brain is thought to have a great effect on our emotions and beneficial effects on the rest of our nervous system.
Remarks: does not dull sense3s and the body does not develop a tolerance to this plant. Not recommended for continuous use
From: Western Pacific Region
Plant Part Used: dried root
Suggested Dosage: 400 mg to 500 mg up to three times per day Anxiety Gypsy Wort (Lycopus europaeus) is a sedative plant that is a tonic for the heart as well as some anti-anxiety action. Bugle Weed, Lycopus virginicus, if from the same family and has both a sedative and a narcotic effect.
Remarks: may act as a contraceptic
From: Europe to North Western Asia
Plan Part Used: flower, leaf and stem
Suggested Dosage: 200 mg to 2 grams per day in divided doses Seizures and Epilepsy Calamus (Acorus calamus) is included because it is used in China to treat Epilepsy. It is also used for the treatment of digestive disorders and has been found to be a smooth muscle relaxant.
Remarks: some disorders are also accompanied by tremors or epilepsy
From: Asia and Eastern USA
Plant Part Used: rhizome
Suggested Dosage: 3 to 6 grams per day in divided doses Seizures and Epilepsy Peony (Paeonia officinalis) has been used as a remedy for epilepsy for many hundreds of years. Although the flowers were also used, the root seems to have the most neuroprotective activity.
Remarks: may induce menstruation
From: Europe
Plant Part Used: flower or root
Suggested Dosage: 1 cup of tea up to three times per day Depression, Hysteria and Epilepsy Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is used in folk medicine to treat depression, hysteria and epilepsy. This herb has a long, hundreds of years, history of use as a relaxing tonic to the nervous system.
Remarks: believed to be very effective for depression caused by long-term chronic illness
From: Southern Europe
Plant Part Used: flower, leaf and stem
Suggested Dosage: 1 cup of tea up to three times per day Depression and Insomnia Pasque Flower (Anemone pulsatilla) this beautiful plant was used in the middle ages and still has some value today. A mild anti-depressant that can help with insomnia it will also help with bronchial congestion or colds. This Herb was used to dye Easter eggs in the Middle Ages.
Remarks: works best with emotional based insomnia, not recommended for continuous use
From: Northern Europe
Plan Part Used: flower, leaf and stem
Suggested Dosage: 120 mg to 300 mg up to three times per day Depression and Weight Coleus (Coleus forskohlii) this plant is a mild anti-depressant that also acts as a digestive aid. This can help with problems concerning your weight. Another action of Coleus is as a bronchial dilator to help with any breathing problems. Also increases testosterone, muscle mass, glaucoma and is being tested as a natural sun tanning lotion.
Remarks: helps with psoriasis but lowers blood sugar
From: Nepal, Thailand and India
Plant Part Used: root
Suggested Dosage: 50 mg 2 to 3 times per day Depression and Memory Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a mildly sedative herb that is very good for your memory and the venous system of the body. This spreading vine is used in the medicine of India to treat many conditions and in China it is considered a longevity tonic.
Remarks: tested in India for improved memory with mentally challenged children and was shown to have marked improvement in attention and short term memory
From: wild in India and subtropics
Plant Part Used: leaf
Suggested Dosage: 60 mg to 120mg per day Epilepsy, Memory and Impotence Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) comes to us from Ayuvedic medicine where it has been used historically, and presently, to treat Epilepsy and memory. This herb is also used in China to treat impotence. Recent research has shown that Bacopa speeds the conduction velocity of nerve tissue and has a beneficial effect on our nerves.
Remarks: Most of the plant medicines of India and China have a very long history of use and are just now being validated by science
From: Tropics and temperate areas
Plant Part Used: flowers, leaf and stem
Suggested Dosage: none found so follow directions of supplier Epilepsy, Dementia and Memory Chinese Club Moss (Huperzia serrata) has been used and tested in China and is called Qian Ceng Ta. Shown to be protective of our brain cells seems to verify the traditional uses for epilepsy and dementia as well as an improvement in brain functions. It acts similar to the drugs Tacrine and Donepezil except with fewer side effects and a stronger action.
Remarks: used for centuries to treat fever and inflammation
From: China
Plant Part Used: not found
Suggested Dosage: 50 micrograms to 100 micrograms 2 times daily Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is the most widely tested plant antidepressant in modern times. For most of history this plant was valued for its wound healing ability. It is now found to be effective on anxiety, depression and a help with insomnia.
Remarks: can cause photosensitivity so watch exposure to the sun and is being tested against the HIV virus
From: Europe to Central China
Plant Part Used: leaf and flower
Suggested Dosage: 300 mg up to 3 times daily Depression and Memory Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) flavors not just our food but our day as well. Shown to be a tonic to our nervous system that can brighten the day as well as improve your concentration and memory. It does all of this while also strengthening the immune system to help keep us healthy.
Remarks: highly valued in Egyptian lore
From: Mediterranean
Plant Part Used: leaf and flower
Suggested Dosage: 1 gram to 3 grams per day in divided doses Depression, Anxiety and Impotence Thyme Broomrape (Orobanche alba) is a plant that has been shown to improve muscle tone while being a mild sedative. This seems to support the traditional use of treating impotence, anxiety and to help in mild depression.
Remarks: also called Ghost Plant
From: Europe and China
Plant Parts Used: whole plant but root believed to be stronger in action Suggested Dosage: none found Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia Catnip (Nepeta cataria) not only makes your cat happy but can help you with mild depression and anxiety. This herb has been shown to be effective for insomnia. Remarks: may cause euphoria if smoked
From: Europe, Asia
Plant Part Used: flowering tops
Suggested Dosage: 380 mg up to 3 times per day Sweet Marjoram (Origanum marjorana) is a kitchen herb that helps us to enjoy our days as well as our food. Marjoram is a mild anti-depressant that can help with anxiety and insomnia as well.
Remarks: may help with stress caused headaches
From: Turkey and Mediterranean
Plant Part Used: leaf and flower
Suggested Dosage: 1 cup of tea 2 to 3 times per day Anxiety, Depression and Memory Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is more than a useful cooking herb. It has been held in great respect in Greece, Egypt and India because it has excellent actions for our nervous system. It can reduce anxiety and lift depression while it helps to improve memory and concentration.
Remarks: not recommended for continuous use long term
From: Asia
Plant Part Used: leaf
Suggested Dosage: 1 cup of tea 2 to 3 times per day Depression and General health Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) is an unusual plant that is balancing in nature for many of our body’s systems. It tends to be only mildly anti-depressant but has such a harmonious effect on our general energy and stamina that I have found it to be useful for many. It works by protecting us from many of the negative effects of stress by balancing the glandular system, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. This action works whether the output of these systems is low or high. Energy and stamina are achieved by a more balanced functioning and not through an artificial stimulation of energy.
Remarks: comes from a different species than Asian or American ginseng
From: Eastern China and Japan
Plant Part Used: dried root
Suggested Dosage: 600 mg up to 3 times per day Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia and Pain 5 HTP (5-hydroxytrytophan) this is not an herb but is included here as it has been effective in helping many conditions without the side effects of many drugs. This product has the same end result as the class of drugs called SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Our body takes Tryptophan from mostly meat and converts that to 5HTP which is then metabolized to 5HT which is the brain chemical Serotonin. This is also believed to be a precursor to Melatonin so you will probably sleep better as well. Serotonin is believed to effect mood and sleep as well as the perception of pain.
Remarks: start with a low dose and be patient as it may take a few days to notice an effect. This is very well absorbed by the brain
From: this is a commercially manufactured product so buy from a quality suppler Plant Part Used: found in the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia
Suggested Dosage: up to 300 mg per day _________________________________________ Back 
TexasThis one comes from a Lady in Texas but is repeated in Hawaii and many other states. After her anxiety attacks had gotten so severe and frequent that she had to quit her job, disrupt her marriage and generally ruined any quality of life, she began to take vitamins and minerals. These included the B vitamin group, B1, B2 and Niacin, and the minerals calcium and magnesium. They seemed to work like magic for restoring peace and sanity to her world. CanadaThis is included from Ontario, Canada because it points out the importance of continuing your search for any area that might contribute to your emotional and mental health. Over a ten-year period this mans wife, in her 50’s, had been treated with everything from electro shock therapy, insulin shock therapy and many medications to no avail. Finally they sought out a Physician that specialized in allergies and there effects. After numerous tests it was found that she was allergic to fumes from the oil heat in their home, residue from pesticides on produce they ate and minerals in the water they drank. After eliminating these things from their life all symptoms went away. That is ten years of life negatively altered by the common things around us. Easy things to try People from many places and all walks of life have found their own answers that improved the quality of life. Here I will give you a summary of a few that are safe and have helped some. Going for a walk seems to be as effective for many as the medications that are so common in our world. There is scientific evidence that this works by raising the serotonin levels in our brain. Adopt or buy a pet seems to be very effective for depression caused by loneliness. There is a lot to be said for having the unqualified affection and love of a pet to brighten our life.. Develop friendships to help you think of new things and experiences instead of filling your day with the haunting ones from your past. Take up a hobby or volunteer work to get you out of your rut and see a new world and discover who you are today. All of these things have been effective for many and do not cost much to try, so why not? Please understand that I have included this selection of folk remedies in the hope that it will remind you to not be a victim of your present state of mind. Know that you are worth every effort and avenue of exploration to rediscover that marvelous and mysterious person that is you. This fascinating and exciting world needs you, so come and join me on this journey to your health. ____________________________________________ | 
