kava and Mental-Disorders

An increasing number of studies have evaluated the role of herbal supplements in pediatric disorders, but they have numerous limitations. This review provides an overview of herbal components, regulation of supplements, and importance of product quality assurance. Use of herbal supplements is discussed with reference to factors that influence use in the pediatric population. The remainder of the article discusses the use of St John's wort, melatonin, kava, valerian, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid, focusing on indications, adverse effects, and drug interactions, and providing a limited efficacy review. Herbal supplements used for weight loss are also briefly discussed.

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Dietary Supplements; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Eicosapentaenoic Acid; Herb-Drug Interactions; Herbal Medicine; Humans; Hypericum; Kava; Melatonin; Mental Disorders; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Valerian

Herbal drug treatment has been known for centuries as a part of traditional medicine. Nowadays, it is still considered a useful and natural way to treat several medical conditions, including mental disturbances. The most frequently treated mental conditions include mood disorders (mainly depression), anxiety disorders, somatoform disorders, age-related cognitive decline, and sometimes psychotic disorders. Some herbal formulations, such as St. John's wort, have been analyzed in clinical trials to estimate their real value. The use of other herbal medicines, such as Kava-kava, valerian, and Ginkgo biloba is discussed.

Topics: Clinical Trials as Topic; Ginkgo biloba; Herbal Medicine; Humans; Hypericum; Kava; Mental Disorders; Phytotherapy; Plant Preparations; Valerian

Patients' use of alternative and complementary health services has created a need for physicians to become informed about the current literature regarding these treatments. Herbal remedies may be encountered in psychiatric practice when they are used to treat psychiatric symptoms; produce changes in mood, thinking, or behavior as a side effect; or interact with psychiatric medications. English-language articles and translated abstracts or articles (where available) found on MEDLINE and sources from the alternative/complementary health field were reviewed. Each herb was assessed for its safety, side effects, drug interactions, and efficacy in treating target symptoms or diagnoses. A synopsis of the information available for each herb is presented. In many cases the quantity and quality of data were insufficient to make definitive conclusions about efficacy or safety. However, there was good evidence for the efficacy of St John's wort for the treatment of depression and for ginkgo in the treatment of memory impairment caused by dementia. More research is required for most of the herbs reviewed, but the information published to date is still of clinical interest in diagnosing, counseling, and treating patients who may be taking botanical remedies.

Topics: Anti-Anxiety Agents; Complementary Therapies; Ericales; Ginkgo biloba; Humans; Kava; Magnoliopsida; Mental Disorders; Panax; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Valerian; Yohimbine

To examine associations between recreational use of kava and indicators of suicidal behaviour among youth in New Caledonia.. This cross-sectional community-based survey was administered to 1,400 young people aged 16-25 years. A multivariate analysis tested for associations between lifetime kava use and lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts. Because ethnicity affected the correlation between kava use and suicidal behaviour, data were analysed separately for Kanak youth and youth of other ethnic communities.. Overall, 42% of respondents reported any lifetime kava use, 34% reported past suicidal ideation and 12% any suicide attempts. Among Kanak youth, kava use increased the likelihood of reporting both suicidal ideation (aOR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.58-3.66) and suicide attempts (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.11-3.52). No such association was found in the non-Kanak group.. The discrepancy between the effects of kava drinking on suicidal behaviour between Kanak youth and youth of other ethnic groups may be related to differences in patterns and quantity of kava use. In view of the paucity of data on the effects of kava on mental health in young people, further investigation is required.. The results call for an increased awareness of the potential adverse health effects of kava consumption in New Caledonia where it has spread in recent times and among communities where previously it was never used.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drinking; Female; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Kava; Male; Mental Disorders; Multivariate Analysis; New Caledonia; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult

Mental illness is a common and often complicated condition that general practitioners deal with on a daily basis. Despite its complex nature, treating mental illness can be very rewarding. The mainstay of conventional treatment is pharmaceutical medications and psychotherapy; however, some people suffer with recalcitrant disease or significant side effects from pharmacotherapy. Much can be learned from looking at alternative therapies. Some herbal treatments carry great promise, and by recognising this as a profession it allows us to open our minds to the potential benefit of some of these treatments.

Topics: Complementary Therapies; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Kava; Mental Disorders; Schizophrenia

During five thousand years of recorded history, we know that from the ancient times people have used different methods and procedures in treatment of different psychiatric disorders and very often these were medicinal preparations of plants. Numerous scientific discoveries and industrial age gave a big contribution to medicine development and significantly improved quality of life for psychiatric patients during the last century. However, evidence-based medicine after big bliss faced a lot of disappointments, and an attitude that some natural drugs were unnecessarily thrown out of use step by step came along. On the other hand, there are a huge number of patients that use natural medicinal plants in self-treatment of different psychiatric disorders. The aim of this article is not giving advantage to natural medicines over chemicals, nor to support self-treatment. The aim is to encourage thinking about the meaning of natural medicines in the treatment of mental disorders and an attempt of preventing to push them out totally into silence wherever it is justified and based on facts.

Topics: Anthracenes; Brain; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Ginkgo biloba; Humans; Kava; Mental Disorders; Perylene; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Plant Preparations; Treatment Outcome; Valerian