Posted by zenhussy on December 17, 2003, at 1:55:32
In reply to Re: Friend trying to get off Xanax - alternatives, posted by gabbix2 on December 16, 2003, at 22:53:24
>Kava Kava would probably be the most helpful, but the kind you buy from health food stores is next to useless. True medicinal Kava root from Hawaii seems to be available only over the internet, and that has become increasingly more difficult due to the recent health alerts (of which I am highly skeptical)
>Lemon Balm, Skullcap, Hops, California Poppy, Passion flower, and Valerian are all somewhat calming, I think Gaia herbs is one company makes tinctures containing combinations of them which are significantly more potent than any one of the herbs alone.taylor18 & gabbix2,
I successfully treated my depression for about a year with a combination of herbs and supplements. Gaia formulas were a main component of that treatment. Dosing throughout the day was important as well. Back then I was using the alcohol tinctures but now there are alternatives.
Here's a link to two versions of only one part of what I used to take (contains a bunch of the herbs you mentioned above Gabbi):
http://www.gaiaherbs.com/page35.htm specifically the Phyto-Prōz Supreme if you want tincture form
http://www.gaiaherbs.com/Page20.htm if you want the 'phyto' caps
Phyto-Prōz is a proprietary blend of:
St. John’s Wort Flower bud
Kava Kava rhizome
Schizandra berry
Siberian Ginseng root
Passionflower vine
Wild Oats milky seed
Gotu Kola herb
Prickly Ash bark
Nettle seed
Calamus rootMind you please, I was not taking pharmaceutical anti-depressants at the same time as I used herbs and supplements to treat my depression. I consulted with professional herbalists (not natural food store or health food store clerks) and kept my pdoc apprised of my treatment.
A major failing of this treatment that worked so well was that back then I was still so early in being diagnosed that I thought, foolishly, I could stop taking the herbs and supplements when I was feeling better cuz that meant I was better. Hah! Oh the folly of youth and the distortions of this disease.
More than you asked for but hope it is of some use to you.
zenhussy
poster:zenhussy
thread:290397
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031204/msgs/290831.html