USE OF HERBAL MEDICINES IN PSYCHIATRY
Abstract
Background. »Lost illusions« about conventional
medicine, together with the orientation towards the »natural«
way of life, lead into ever increasing use of alternative or complementary
ways of treatment. Herbal medicines are entering
into psychiatric practice with the intention of treatment (mostly
self-treatment) psychiatric symptoms. Side effects may include
changes of mood, thinking processes or behaviour, and interactions
with psychiatric medications.
Conclusions. With this article we would like to draw attention
to common self-treatment or self-medication in persons with
psychiatric symptoms, and to the equally common fact that the
physicians are – more often than not – unacquainted with
this practice. Some of the most frequently used herbal medicines
are presented in the article (registered in Slovenia as class
C medicinal products). Regardless of their extensive use and
implementation of regulatory procedures, in most cases qualitative
and quantitative data are insufficient for final conclusions
about their efficacy and safety to be reliable. Partial exception
to this represents the use of St. John’s worth in the treatment
of depression and ginkgo in the treatment of memory
impairments in dementia. Self-treatment in general population
should not be neglected, however, full professional scepticism
should be maintained.
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