In this topic, I want to discuss the many natural alternatives to conventional medicines for the treatment of depression , panic and anxiety.

Over the time I have been visiting this MWC forum, I have heard many good things about herbs, vitamins and amino acids and their role in helping people with their depression & Anxiety.

My goal here is to expose the many natural alternatives out there that have been used by others and to hopefully gain some personal information from people who have tried these approaches.

There are many here in this MWC forum, who have a hard time changing their behavior and their thinking simply because their symptoms are overpowering and make it harder to change.
That's the entire role of medication in it's use along with cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, there are many here that have tried medicine and cannot deal with the negative side-effects, perhaps they don't have insurance and cannot afford expensive prescriptions, or perhaps they just feel that a more natural approach is better for their bodies and minds but don't know where to turn or what to try.

I've been doing a little research myself, no only for myself but for a family member of mine who is suffering with depression. He is uninterested in using conventional anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs because of their negative effects and possible difficulties of coming off of these meds.

I have heard others here in the MWC share about Kava Kava and it's use for anxiety, I've heard about taking magnesium & calcium together, I've heard about taking specific B Vitamins and amino acids ( HTP5) and also St. John's Wort . I've heard people discuss products like Clarocet which contain these ingredients:
� Valerian
� Hops
� Hypericum Extract
� Passion Flower
� Ashwagandha Root
� Skullcap
� Kava Root
� Zhen zhu mu
� Jiaogulan
http://clarocet.com/

I am hopeful that anyone that has any information on any of these subjects, products or wants to share their personal experience with taking any of these natural alternatives would share with the MWC forum their findings.

Please share websites and literature in relation to this topic that you have found helpful...

In my own studies, I have found a product called Amoryn that is all natural, safe and effective. I have not taken this product myself but I have read that it's highly effective for treating anxiety, panic and depression. It has a mixture of St. John's Wort, BVitamins and HTP 5 ( amino acids). http://www.amoryn.com/

I've also come across a book by Dr. Hyla Cass about St. John's Wort and the in-depth truths about the herb, how it works, how much to take and for how long...etc....You can visit her website to read more about her and St. John's Wort http://www.cassmd.com/html/about.html

Along with these natural alternatives, we see the need to know which foods are good for us and aid in helping to alleviate our anxiety. I found this website most helpful:
http://www.wholehealthmd.com/hk/remedies/disp/0,1459,430,00.html

I am hopeful that many more will join this discussion, share their personal experiences with these products, in hope that someone out there searching will know that there are many different approaches to help aid in recovering from panic, anxiety and depression.

Hi, Sunset. Before getting the Midwest program, I was having difficulty with depression and anxiety. I'd been on meds for this since 1977. In 1996 I began trying natural remedies for both problems. St. John's Wort helped a little with the depression, but only a little. I was taking 150mg twice daily plus my prescription meds. Valerian root helped a little more with anxiety. I don't recall the dosage on it. But neither worked well enough for me to regain full functioning. Neither worked near as well as prescription meds had in the past. They just weren't the answer for me. Fortunately I found the program and that was the answer for me.

Hi Don,
Thanks for adding to this thread! Your information is valuable to all those interested.


I have read some things about St. John's Wort and that not all St. John's Wort is created equal. I have heard that unless it's a brand that's processed properly so that it can penetrate the brain, it won't work as thoroughly as it should. I have also read that by taking other specific herbs, vitamins and amino acids, along with St. John's Wort is recommended because they aid in helping the St. John's Wort worke more effectively.

Did you research St. John's Wort before you took it? Or did you puchase it off the counter at your local store? How did you choose which St. John's Wort to take? I am interested to know because if what Dr. Hyla Cass says is true, then in order for someone to take St. John's Wort they would need to know how the product they have chosen for themselves was produced and that it's made up of only the best formulation. BTW...how long did you take this St. John's Wort product before you decided it was ineffective?

Thanks again for joining the discussion!

My pdoc told me that St. John's Wort was prescribed 10 times more frequently than other meds in Europe, so I thought I would give it a try. I first bought a brand that Eckerd's sold, then found a brand from Wal Mart that was stronger and took it for several months, 2, 3, or 4, I can't remember. The Valerian root worked better for my anxiety than the Wort did for the depression, but neither worked very well. I took the Valerian root because my doc didn't want me to take Valium and the Buspar just wasn't working very well. For me prescribed meds had worked much better in the past than the natural things were in the present, but the prescribed meds weren't working for me very well anymore. Thank goodness I found the program. I think exercise has been key for me also. For some people, their brains may lack some vitamin or mineral which they are not getting on a daily basis and getting that into their system may cause them to function much better. That wasn't my problem as I see it. I think it was simply all psychological for me, changing my thinking. I took and take vitamins daily.

IN the last 8 months I've gone from 10mg Buspar and 5mg Valium to being off of all anti-anxiety meds for the last month. I had been on them since 1977. I'm on two anti-depressants. One has gone from 175mg to 87.5mg daily and is still dropping. I'm hoping I can be totally med free in another six months. The program and exercise is what has worked for me.

I have learned a lot about Paxil in the last few months, how dangerous it can be coming off of it. I am glad it didn't work for me. I have suffered enough side affects of weight gain and lack of energy from the meds I was on, I didn't need anymore side affects. I have always been on Elavil, or amitriptyline which is an old tricylic from the 50's. In 1981 my doc added Ludiomil which is a little newer, but still chronologically old. These worked better than any others that I tried including Paxil, Effexor SR, Risperdol, Zyprexa, Seroquel, Depakote, and Remoron.

I hope you find something that will be effective. It can be a trying experience when you are not feeling well. I had almost given up hope of getting better before finding the program. I had tried these 7 meds over a 1.5 year period from Feb. 2000 to Oct. 2001 with no lasting results. I was about to go nuts while on the Depakote. I was trying it because my doc thought I was bi-polar. There were nights I couldn't sit or lay still. I'd get into my car, turn on some music, lay down, and figit and suffer for several hours at a time. It was a miserable existence.

Thanks Don for your added info. How wonderful that you are no longer on your anti-anxiety meds!

I believe whole heartedly in this program and other cognitive-behavioral programs. It's a proven method and if you learn to adopt your new, healthy way of thinking, you will avoid having a return of your depression/anxiety cycle.

As for me, I am not taking any medication whatsoever for my anxiety. I am solely working the MWC program. I do have a brother though that is suffering but won't admit it. I am hoping to introduce him to something healthy and natural, perhaps he will like the idea of vitamins and amino acids. I know that positive self-talk is the key to getting healthy and staying healthy mentally.

I was also given a prescription for Paxil. (2 years ago when my panic/anxiety resurfaced during a stressful time in my life) I was too afraid to take it as prescribed, so I only took 5mg for about 6 weeks and then decided to come off. I read about how helpful it would be but the potential problems coming off the drug outweighed any possible benefits I would have rec'd. Therefore I chose to go it alone with the program.

Thanks again.

Sunset;
I haven't been on the forum all that much....good to see you are still out here blessing others! I am still enjoying your posts! I keep thinking that we are sooo much alike....it's amazing....should PM sometime!
Anyway....I would like to add the following as natural helps.
L-Tyrosine - an amino acid that is an excellent mood enhancer
5HTP (by Trimedica)- a new tryptophan which calms and supports a postitive mood & good sleep
And how about homeopathy?
I have used:
Aconitum (for anxiety feelings)
Chammomilla (same)
Pulsatilla (for weepy feelings and depression)
Gelsemium (for shaky legs and weakness)

Even though I consider the skills I learned in the program to be my GREATEST assets (besides God - wink), I use these nutrients/therapies as needed along with my new life changing skills!
Hope this helps someone!
hugs to all;
Psalm91
Tricia

And everyone, please remember, just because it's "natural" doesn't mean there aren't side effects or that you should not consult a physician. I went to a homeopathic dr for years and one person may need double of what another needs or NOT take something at all. No different than regular meds when it comes to that. Good luck to all but for me, regular meds are the winner. Did both routes and natural just not enough.

good luck

Thanks Brigitte, I understand how you feel. This topic is for those that are taking this approach to share what they know. So that others that want to seek this approach have more information to go by. This topic is not about whether conventional meds are right or wrong but rather just a place where people who are trying to learn about other methods can come and find helpful information. If you have something helpful to share about the specific methods you have tried then please share them here. Otherwise, know that this topic is solely being used to direct people into knowing more about this particular subject. THANKS

yes, that is why I said to make sure and consult a homeopathic dr or the like as just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's 100% safe. As a matter of fact,many are not safe. I do speak from first hand experience actually. Many people benefit and that's great. Also, a lot of the natural stuff, your body will absorb what it needs and dispose what it doesn't so that is why they need to be prescribed so to speak to be utilized by the body properly for each individual. I was just making a statement that it didn't work for me. Like Don was saying.

thanks

Thanks again Brigitte,
That's the purpose of this thread, to help aid people into their own search for what is right for them. I don't know that I would necessarily seek the professional advice of a homeopathic dr. to try something like St. John's Wort or Kava Kava or even B Vitamins but I would certainly research it by reading books by professionals that know about the stuff. I know for sure that one of the books that I posted here talks about who should and should not take St. John's Wort and the website also is very clear and has a section for questions and answers.

It's safe to say, that this information will be helpful to some, while others, it may not be. That's fine. It's up to the reader to determine what is right for them and it helps to hear other people's experiences along with helpful books and websites that they may want to share.

Do you have any books recommendations to help aid people who are looking into going this route?
Or perhaps some websites you'd like to share that may be helpful to others ?

This was my original intention for this thread. Just a place for people to share what they know first hand about natural alternatives and to swap informational resources.

Thanks Again.

Well what I know first hand is that since every one's "body" has a different tolerance level you can and should go get tested by someone like a homeopathic dr. Or nutrional dr or whatever. A book will "generally" speak of what is good and what is not. For instance, I was on 4 pills a day of GABA, a Vitamin B complex as well as other items but then they had to be reduced because I felt like a zombi yet that formula worked great for someone else I know. You can get a book called "the vitamin bible" which is helpful but still........go to a specialist. We'd never take prescription meds of opinions of others and these are no different. they can really help but you gotta know how much your body need or doesn't need at all. Vitamins , herbs and the like can interfere with each other making them not work at all so that's why I say, see a specialist if you can. Also, if you take anything else like anti-biotics or other meds, they can interfere as well.

good luck to all, Brigitte

Has anyone found a natural product that works for headaches?
One Small Star

One Small Star,

In my search for natural remedies, I have come across an herb that is used for headaches called
Aconitum napellus. You can read more about it here... http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/7776/ACONITE.HTM

Boy, I can't think of the name of it right now but there is a small bottle (sort of looks like a womans lip gloss) that you rub on your temples. I think it may have peppermint in it. If I think of the name I'll post it but maybe someone else knows what I'm talking about.

For headaches, I've used a product from Bath & Body Works called "Stress Relief Pulse Point Serum". It's eucalypus & spearmint and works great if you rub it on your temples.