![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jaynee on February 22, 2002, at 17:53:31
Hi I have just started to take passion flower drops for anxiety. I am also on Celexa. Has anyone tried this. Also has anyone else added to chromium to their anti-depressants, and what were the results.
Here are the articles that got me interested in both of this alternatives.
Passionflower in the treatment of generalized anxiety: a pilot double-blind
randomized controlled trial with oxazepam.Akhondzadeh S, Naghavi HR, Vazirian M, Shayeganpour A, Rashidi H, Khani M.
Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, South Kargar Avenue,
Tehran, Iran. s.akhond@neda.netOBJECTIVE: Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a folk remedy for anxiety. A double-blind
randomized trial compared the efficacy of Passiflora incarnata extract with oxazepam in the
treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. METHODS: The study was performed on 36
out-patients diagnosed with GAD using DSM IV criteria. Patients were allocated in a random
fashion: 18 to the Passiflora extract 45 drops/day plus placebo tablet group, and 18 to oxazepam
30 mg/day plus placebo drops for a 4-week trial. RESULTS: Passiflora extract and oxazepam
were effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. No significant difference was
observed between the two protocols at the end of trial. Oxazepam showed a rapid onset of
action. On the other hand, significantly more problems relating to impairment of job performance
were encountered with subjects on oxazepam. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that
Passiflora extract is an effective drug for the management of generalized anxiety disorder, and the
low incidence of impairment of job performance with Passiflora extract compared to oxazepam is
an advantage. A large-scale trial is justified.Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled TrialPMID: 11679026 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2000 Dec;3(4):311-314
Related Articles, Books, LinkOut
Chromium treatment of depression.McLeod MN, Golden RN.
Eight patients with refractory mood disorders received chromium supplements and described
dramatic improvements in their symptoms and functioning. In several instances, single-blind trials
confirmed specificity of response to chromium. Side-effects were rare and mild, and most
commonly included enhanced dreaming and mild psychomotor activation. To our knowledge, this
is the first case series describing the response to chromium monotherapy. The putative
antidepressant effects of chromium could be accounted for by enhancement of insulin utilization
and related increases in tryptophan availability in the central nervous system, and/or by
chromium's effects on norepinephrine release.PMID: 11343609 [PubMed - as supplied by publi
Posted by IsoM on February 22, 2002, at 18:33:29
In reply to Has anyone added chromium or passion flower to AD, posted by Jaynee on February 22, 2002, at 17:53:31
I take nutritional yeast flakes that are high in chromium, but not chromium by itself. I find the yeast very helpful but not so much as a medication substitute but as an adjuct to maintain the benefits of an AD.
I have tried passion flower, both as a tincture, from a well-known, respected brand, & as the dried herb that I made a tea from. I think I gave it a pretty fair trial for a long time but noticed nothing, no benefits, from either. I grow catnip for my cats & it really can proliferate. Catnip is also supposed to be very calming & good for sleeping in people too - a safe & trusted herb. I could eat a handful of it & notice nothing from that either (except my cats LOVED my breath).
Posted by TSA West on February 23, 2002, at 3:33:02
In reply to Has anyone added chromium or passion flower to AD, posted by Jaynee on February 22, 2002, at 17:53:31
I could e-mail you the article, which explains about all the herbal remedies in complimentary psychiatric medicine.
From Psychosomatic Medicine, November 1998:
"Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata L) is native to the Americas, where its perennial vine leaves have been used as a sedative by indigenous peoples such as the Aztecs. Its current use as a sedative-hypnotic is supported by the findings of some animal studies; however, the active ingredients and mechanism of action remain obscure. No clinical studies of P incarnata alone have been found, although one randomized, controlled trial that used a commercial preparation containing P incarnata in addition to valerian showed benefit in the treatment of adjustment disorder with anxious mood. Passion flower is often given 3 times daily in the following doses: 0.25 to 1 g of dried herb (commonly taken as a tea); 0.5 to 1 mL of liquid extract (1:1; 25% alcohol); or 0.5 to 2.0 mL of tincture (1:8; 45% alcohol).
Hypersensitivity vasculitits and "altered consciousness" have been reported with products containing passion flower. Passion flower may cause sedation, and so the usual precautions regarding operation of a motor vehicle or machinery should be observed. Interactions with other psychotropic medications have not been adequately studied."
--------TSA: 1865-2002 and now sending officers and soldiers to Afghanistan! -------------------
Posted by psycho on February 24, 2002, at 10:15:30
In reply to Has anyone added chromium or passion flower to AD, posted by Jaynee on February 22, 2002, at 17:53:31
I haven't tried passion flower but appreciate the info. When i learn of something new i search it. I am trying omega 3, however. I haven't tried it for long but I seem to get a little lift. My children need something natural so they won't need drugs like us "psychos". They didn't like the fish taste, so I'm trying to find other sources. Grinding flax seed and adding it inconspicuously to baked goods is another way to get omega 3. A good French sea salt, I have read, contains minerals such as chromium, lithium and others. I am trying to find a source for one so I can add this also. I intend to report back on my efforts. My five children all need help but I don't want to resort to the Pdoc yet. "Psycho, but still trying"
Posted by Jaynee on February 24, 2002, at 20:07:49
In reply to omega 3 and minerals, posted by psycho on February 24, 2002, at 10:15:30
Let me know where you find the salt you are talking about and what it is called. Thanks
Posted by Maisy on February 24, 2002, at 20:24:34
In reply to Re: omega 3 and minerals, posted by Jaynee on February 24, 2002, at 20:07:49
I took chromium picolinate supplements but they gave me heart palpitations so I had to stop. FYI- above post mentions adding ground flax seeds to baked goods. I read that ground flax seed should not be heated as it destroys the benefits.(?)
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.