[toc]Bipolar disorder is a psychological or mental disorder where the person swings between depressive and manic states. It is a difficult and challenging mental health problem to deal with. Herbs for dealing with the symptoms of this disease include Black Cohosh, Damiana, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Grapeseed oil, Gotu Kola, Licorice, St. John’s Wort, Sarsaparilla, Kava, Passionflower and Catnip.
These herbs help to regulate the mood and relax the mind. Mood stabilizing herbs such as these are good for ensuring relief from your symptoms. But medication such as Lithium is also required. Please consult your doctor before taking any herbal remedies, especially if you are already on some medication. This article gives you some of the best herbal remedies to counter bipolar disorder.
7 Top Herbal Remedies For Bipolar Disorder
St. John’s Wort
Sixteenth century herbalists in Europe have used it to heal wounds as well. This herbal remedy is an adaptogen which mediates the body’s response to physiological and psychological stressors. Romans used St. John’s Wort since ancient times as a remedy for curing snakebites. This herb is also well known for its ability to counter depression in patients who suffer from bipolar disorder.
St. John’s Wort aids relieve insomnia, listlessness and lethargy linked with depressive states that bipolar patients often experience. St. John’s Wort is an herb that contains a phytochemical known as hypericine that works as well as monoamine oxidase inhibitors for treating patients suffering from this disorder. This herb can also be given to bipolar patients in supplement form as well. You can take this herb as an extract. St. John’s Wort oil can also be used to massage the body and relieve your tension and stress.
Passion Flower
Passiflora Incarnata is the Latin name assigned to this herb. It may also help to eliminate insomnia during the depressive and manic stages of bipolar disorder. You can make Passionflower tea from the dried leaves of this herb. This herbal remedy can also be taken in the form of an extract or tincture for beneficial results. This herb is full of flavons such as chrysin which relieve depression and sadness in bipolar patients.
This herb also offers other medicinal and curative benefits. It is a natural sedative which restores tranquility and lack of anxiety in patients suffering from manic depressive psychosis and bipolar disorder. Passionflower is an herbal remedy native to the Peruvian Andes mountain and it was once used as an aphrodisiac. This herb may help to ward off the excitability and over energetic frenzy during mania felt by bipolar patients.
Catnip
Chinese herbalists used Catnip tea to reduce the symptoms of coughs and colds for thousands of years. Catnip tea is also used for eliminating toothache pain. Herbalists in sixteenth century America have used this herb for its mood stabilizing and mood regulating properties it possesses.
Catnip possesses chemicals known as nepetalactone isomers which are said to calm the mind and lessen anxiety in patients during the manic phase of this disorder. These chemicals may also help to ward off sleeplessness. You can drink Catnip tea to soothe your frazzled nerves and calm yourself during mania experienced in bipolar patients.
Kava
Piper Methysticum or Kava is a herbal remedy linked with traditional drinks in South Pacific Island nations such as Fiji and Hawaii. This herbal remedy is well known in the United States for its anxiety easing properties. Kava may calm the brain by increasing the supply of GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) neurotransmitters which aid in controlling mania in persons suffering from bipolar disorder.
It prevents thoughts from spiraling out of control during the manic phase of this disease. Kava also soothes depression and mental agitation in bipolar patients. The tea brewed from the leaves of this herb is used as a herbal remedy generally. You can also make Kava leaf salad for recovering from the symptoms of bipolar disorder.
Flax
Flax Seed is derived from an herbaceous plant known as Flax. The Omega 3 essential fatty acids present in this herb help to release anxiety controlling mechanisms in the human brain. Flax Seed oil can be used to relieve the tension and psychological symptoms experienced by patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Flax Seed oil also contains alpha-linolenic acid or ALA which is converted into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) which are as beneficial as fish oil supplements in calming the mind and easing racing thoughts experienced by patients during the manic stage of this disorder.
Lavender
Lavandula Angustifolia is the botanical name of this herb. This herb is also referred to as Lavandula Officinalis. The herb’s oil is very effective for giving a soothing massage and relaxing the body. Lavender oil is aromatic and fragrant. It eases stress and anxiety in a person suffering from bipolar disorder. Lavender oil can also eliminate insomnia and restlessness experienced by patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Some Lavender oil can be placed into a vaporizer along with some hot water.
Lavender oil is a good herbal remedy for treating this condition because it can be used for steam inhalation in this manner to soothe an agitated person. Lavender oil can also be used for a nice and soothing massage. This herbal oil can even be used in some other ways. You can add some drops of Lavender oil in your bath water and use it to ease the tension felt by bipolar patients. You can also add a few drops of heated Lavender oil in a handkerchief and smell it to ease your stress when you are in a manic state.
Chamomile
Matricaria Recutita is the botanical term given to this herb. Chamomile tea is a good herbal remedy for calming down a person during the manic phase of bipolar disorder. This herb is effective in healing the mind and it can lead to alleviation of both depression and mania in a person diagnosed with this mental health disorder.
Chamomile is an herb with adaptogenic properties that can reduce your body’s anxiety and stress levels. This herbal remedy can be safely taken with many medications. This herb should not be taken by pregnant or lactating women or persons who are allergic to flowers such as Rag Weed and Aster.
