Sedative Herbs

Summary

Sedative Herbs

introduction:
Numerous herbs have a range of "sedative" actions, encompassing analgesic, hypnotic, antidepressant, anxiolytic activities, often combining two or more actions. They are designated generically as "nervines" by Western herbalists. Unlike most centrally acting pharmaceutical drugs, nervine herbs are mild and gentle in activity, with complex and poorly understood multiple pharmacological effects. Rudolf Weiss MD points out that there are no herbal medicines that can be used legally which are comparable in strength to pharmaceutical sedatives. For example, Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy) morphinane alkaloids are controlled substances and are not considered here, and the rarely used reserpine-containing Rauwolfia serpentina (Indian Snakeroot) is used only in low doses for hypertension, not in higher doses as a psychotropic sedative.

Available sedative herbs are usually used to treat moderate depression, insomnia and sleep disturbances, and by practitioners, withdrawal from certain drugs, particularly benzodiazepenes.

Research on herbs with sedative or antidepressant actions such as Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) has recently centered on the BDZ receptor complex, but in general herbal extracts have been shown to have multiple pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic actions across a range of neurotransmitters and receptors. Attempts to characterize sedative herb action as single active constituent effects paralleling orthodox drug action at single receptors have now been recognized as fruitless by most researchers.

overview of interactions:
Interactions with different classes of conventional drugs such as barbiturates, benzodiazepenes, tricyclic antidepressants, and SSRI's is at least a theoretical likelihood. It may be assumed that the effect of sedative nervine herbs will be to additively increase effects of these drugs. Several herbs have been shown to prolong the activity of barbiturates in animal experiments, or to bind to the BDZ receptor complex in vitro.

herbs affecting drug performance:
Sedative nervine herbs may synergize with the following drug classes:
• Benzodiazepines
• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
• SSRI's
• Tricyclic Antidepressants

herbal concerns:
Indirect interaction may take place through various physiologic mechanisms with herbs in the following groups including:
• Sympathomimetic Herbs
• Xanthine-containing Herbs
• MAO Inhibitor Herbs



Herbs

Common herbs with sedative activity:
• Avena sativa (Milky oat seed)
• Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh)
• Eschscholzia californica (California Wild Poppy)
• Humulus lupulus (Hops strobiles)
• Lactuca virosa (Wild Lettuce)
• Lavandula officinalis (Lavendar)
• Leonurus cardiaca (Motherwort)
• Matricaria recutita (Chamomile, German)
• Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
• Nepeta cataria (Catnip)
• Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower)
• Pedicularis spp. (Louseworts)
• Piper methysticum (Kava kava)
• Piscidia erythrena (Jamaican Dogwoood)
• Scutellaria spp. (Skullcap)
• Stachys betonica (Betony)
• Valeriana officinalis (Valerian root)
• Verbena officinalis (Vervain)
• Withania somnifera (Ashwaganda)

Restricted and unusual herbs with sedative activity:
• Acorus calamus (Calamus)
• Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy)
• Rauwolfia serpentina (Indian Snakeroot) * toxic



Interactions

Drug Class Interactions (increased sedative effects):
Benzodiazepines
MAO Inhibitors
SSRI's
Tricyclic Antidepressants

Drug Interactions (increased sedative effects):
Ativan
Amitriptyline
Carbamazepine
Dalmane
Elavil
Fluoxetine
Fluvoxamine
Halcion
Imipramine
Librium
Luvox
Mysoline
Nardil
Phenelzine
Phenobarbital
Primidone
Prozac
Valium

Herb Group Interactions:
Sympathomimetic Herbs (antagonism)
Xanthine-containing Herbs (antagonism)
MAO Inhibitor Herbs (possible potentiation)

Please read the disclaimer concerning the intent and limitations of the information provided here.
Do not rely solely on the information in this article.

The information presented in Interactions is for informational and educational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, case reports, and/or traditional usage with sources as cited in each topic. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals and different individuals with the same medical conditions with the same symptoms will often require differing treatments. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with conventional medical therapies, including prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications, is also available. Consult your physician, an appropriately trained healthcare practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health concern or medical problem before using any herbal products or nutritional supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications and/or before attempting to independently treat a medical condition using supplements, herbs, remedies, or other forms of self-care.


References

Bisset NG (ed.), Wichtl M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals, Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1994

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Second edition., Sandy, OR; Eclectic Institute Inc, 1998.

Brown R, Potential Interactions of Herbal medicines with ANtipsychotics, Antidepressants and hypnotics. Eur. J Herbal Medicine. 1997;3.(2): 25-28.

McGuffin M, et al.(eds.) AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook . CRC Press, 1997.

Mills SY. Out of the Earth (The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine). London, UK: Arkana, 1991.

Samuelson G. Drugs of Natural Origin, A Textbook of Pharmacognosy. Stockholm, Swede: Swedish Pharmaceutical Press, 1992.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd., 1988.