Dietary Supplements to Treat Anxiety

As people look for natural treatments for depression and anxiety, more tests are being done on these alternative remedies. Placebo trials show that some natural remedies do seem to work.

Herbal Supplements

• In clinical trials, kava kava, an herbal treatment for anxiety, was more helpful than a placebo. Kava kava has drug interactions, and it is best used by people who do not drink and are not taking other medications. For patients with mild to moderate anxiety, kava kava seems beneficial for short-term use. Long-term use is frowned upon because of possible side effects, including rashes.

  St. John's wort is an herbal treatment for depression. As a treatment for anxiety, it has not been shown to be as effective.

  Other herbal remedies for anxiety include poppy, valerian, and tincture of passionflower. Clinical trials have yet to find a definite positive effect on anxiety. But each of these treatments has a following of people who claim they work.

Nutritional Supplements

• Inositol, which is vitamin B8, has been found in clinical trials to be more effective than a placebo in treating anxiety. Some evidence suggests B8 is comparable with at least one of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Prozac is in the SSRI group. Vitamin pills that include the vitamin B complex should contain B8.

  There is no strong clinical evidence of any other nutritional supplement reducing anxiety.

Dietary Supplement

• A dietary supplement, 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is made from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia from Africa.

  This compound is used for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and similar conditions. But evidence of its effectiveness for easing anxiety is weak, and it can cause serious and sometimes fatal side effects. Many doctors agree that the risks outweigh any potential benefit.