Mental health problems are found in people of all ages, regions, countries and societies.
People used to give a certain stigma to this term, but it is now becoming widely understood that this does not mean that you are crazy. we all experience mild depression, inability to sleep or states of anxiety from time to time or at some stage of our life.
The British Journal of Psychiatry (2005) estimated that 1 in 4 British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year and that approximately 450 million people worldwide have a mental health problem.
Mixed anxiety & depression is the most common mental disorder affecting Britons: about 9 percent of people, and between 8 and 12% of the population experience depression in any year. These problems affect especially women (29% compared to 17% of men), although it may also be because women are more likely to be open about these problems and wishing to talk about them to a doctor. Luckily the majority of sufferers seem to suffer of these symptoms for not longer than approximately 18 months at a time, but some people are affected by them nearly all the time. ¹
Since the launch of anti-anxiety medications like Valium/Diazepam and anti-depressants like Prozac/Fluoxetine many people have been able to be helped and these have also made the public more aware of high incidence
of these problems in the population. But unfortunately these drugs are not free from side-effects. For anti-depressants like fluoxetine (Prozac) and paroxetine (Seroxat) these may range from nervousness, jitters and shaking, to excessive drowsiness, loss of libido, incapacity to reach orgasm, nausea...the list is long! Once started the therapy is not easy to get off them, because of the range of disagreeable side effect that the patient have to stand, and in the case of anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines) the are effective but can also be very addictive.
Moreover a very recent study by the University of Hull A University concluded that anti-depressant drugs actively help only a small group of the most severely depressed. After some tests the study found out that the difference in results between patients taking placebos and patients taking anti-depressants is not very great. These drugs raise the levels of serotonin in the brain on the grounds that this bodily chemical is claimed to stabilize mood, but the validity of this belief is now doubted because only a few of the most severe cases of depression proved to benefit of them and they had absolutely no effect in all others. ²
There are herbal products that offer a very good alternative to these drugs, they have much lesser side effects and are not addictive.
- St. John Wort for depression.
This is probably the most researched herbal product for depression, with a proven record and thousands of patients having achieved positive results in clinical trials. It is most effective for mild to moderate depression and should be avoided in cases of severe depression. It may also be useful for anxiety and seasonal affective disorders. St. John's Wort must not be taken alongside any other anti-depressant drugs, but it can be a valid substitute instead with only 3% of user reporting any side effects. The most common is photosensitivity for fair skinned people, but it is rare at normal doses.
The scientific name of St. John's Wort is Hypericum Perforatum, and its active ingredients is Hypericin. A good St. John's Wort product should be standardized to to 5% hypericin. European clinical studies state that the recommended dose is 900mg per day. Store away from light.
- Kava for anxiety.
Kava is a plant that has for a long time been used as a ceremonial drink in Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia, Vanuatu, Melanesia and even some parts of Australia. Kava can be used for anxiety and insomnia. It has an action very similar to the one of benzodiazepines like diazepam (Valium) and lorazepam (Ativan), but unlike these drugs it does not cause dependency or mental cloudiness. The part of the plant that is consumed is the dry powdered root, and the effects reported are mental clarity, patience, and an ease of acceptance, mildly talkative and sociable behavior, anxiolytic (calming) effects, relaxed muscles and a very euphoric sense of well-being. It should not be combined with alcohol or other sedatives, and its few reported side effects are stomach reactions or allergies.
- Valerian for insomnia anxiety.
Valeriana officinalis is another root used primarily as a mild tranquillizer and for the treatment of occasional insomnia. Valerian is very safe and non-addictive to the point that can be safely used to treat even children and pets.
- Lemon Balm for insomnia and anxiety.
Also known as Melissa officinalis, this herb has a mild relaxing effect and is good for treating sleeplessness. But the benefits of Lemon Balm don't stop hear. Studies have reported that is effective in treating gastrointestinal disorders and oral and genital herpes.
- Passion Flower for insomnia and anxiety.
Its scientific name is Passiflora incarnata, and it is believed to be effective against restlessness, mild insomnia and gastrointestinal problems.
- Lavender for anxiety.
Lavender has shown some clinical results in decreasing agitated behaviour. In Aromatherapy few drops of the Lavender essential oil are put on a cloth and smelled, but the same result can be achieved by putting few drops in your bath. At the same time there are other herbal products designed for ingestion that contain Lavender.
PureCalm, on sale on the Alternative Herbal site contain both Lavender and Lemon Balm and is effective for anxiety.
MindSoothe and MindSoothe Jr. (for kids) contain St. John Wort and Passion Flower.
R.E.M Again, a product for the treatment of insomnia, contain Lemon Balm, Lavender, Passion Flower and Valerian.
Serentite Plus, for the treatment of insomnia, contain Passion flower.
¹ The Office for National Statistics Psychiatric Morbidity report (2001)
