Ancient Egyptians believed Chamomile to be a sacred gift of the Sun God (Ra). They used it to treat many different illnesses and health issues. Today, Chamomile is still widely used for its many health benefits. 

Chamomile also has properties that can aid sleep and digestion. This is because it contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to particular receptors in your brain that may promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia.[1] 

Chamomile is used to treat skin conditions like rashes, eczema or psoriasis, and to heal wounds and sores. A study found that applying Chamomile ointment directly to a wound assists with the healing process.[2] It has also been contended that when applied topically, Chamomile may help with eczema and mild inflammatory skin conditions, such as psoriasis. [3]

Several studies have linked Chamomile tea to reduced severity of menstrual cramps. A 2010 study, for example, found that consuming Chamomile tea for a month could reduce the pain of menstrual cramps.[4]

Interactions: Chamomile may interact with the drugs cyclosporine and warfarin. 

[1]https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/apigenin

[2]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3318194/

[3]https://academicjournals.org/article/article1435738061_Zari%20and%20Zari.pdf

[4]https://www.researchgate.net/publication/286965003_Chamomile_tea_for_relief_of_primary_dysmenorrhea

Passionflower is a beautiful and intricate-looking flower with several benefits to take advantage of. 

It is widely used to treat anxiety as it can have a calming effect on those ingesting it. It is often used to calm patient anxiety before surgery.[1]

Passionflower is used to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research shows that Passion Flower reduces some symptoms of ADHD in children aged 6-13.[2]

The flower can be used to treat insomnia. Research suggests that taking Passionflower before going to bed can improve insomnia and increase sleep time.[3]

Passionflower can also help ease withdrawal from opioids, such as heroin and morphine. One study shows that taking a Passionflower extract in addition to a drug called clonidine for 14 days might reduce anxiety symptoms better than taking just clonidine alone in people undergoing an opioid detoxification program.[4]

Interactions: Passionflower may interact with sedative medication. Taking Passionflower along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.Some sedative medications include pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), secobarbital (Seconal), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.

[1]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18499602/ 

[2]https://www.medicinenet.com/passion_flower/supplements-vitamins.htm

[3]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21294203/

[4]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11679027/

Called nature’s Valium, Valerian root has been used over the ages to treat patients with insomnia. The root of a flowering plant native to Europe and Asia, its uses date back to the Greek and Roman Empires. It was also used to treat other ailments such as headaches, nervousness, trembling, and heart palpitations. Today is still widely used to help improve sleep, reduce anxiety, and promote relations. It has also been said to help deal with OCD tendencies and for relieving symptoms of PMS and menopause.

Valerian contains a substance called Valerenic acid, which affects gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors in the brain. It is thought that one of the purposes of gamma-aminobutyric acid is to control fear or anxiety experienced when nerve cells are overexcited. This is how Valerian root may function as a mild sedative and anxiolytic.[1]

The other content of Valerian root is valepotriates, which is effective in treating the psychotic symptoms of severe anxiety.[2] Valerian root is also considered to be a safe and natural alternative to anxiety medications like Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam).[3]

In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of valerian extract in OCD treatment, Valerian extract was more effective in OCD treatment than placebo. Also, they observed the rapid onset of the effects of the extract.[4]

Valerian root may help minimize hot flashes commonly affecting women during menopause. The exact mechanism of action is unknown since Valerian doesn’t directly influence hormone levels.[5]

Interactions: Valerian root may cause drowsiness. It appears to be safe and non-habit forming. In some cases, it may replace benzodiazepines and similar drugs.[6]

Valerian root could interfere with the effectiveness of the following medications: Allergy medications like Allegra (fexofenadine), antifungal drugs such as Sporanox (itraconazole) or Diflucan (fluconazole), cancer medications like Camptosar (irinotecan), Etopophos (etoposide), STI571, Abraxane (paclitaxel), Velban (vinblastine), or Vincasar (vincristine), statin drugs such as Mevacor (lovastatin) or Lipitor (atorvastatin).

[1]https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-valerian-88336

[2]https://gpsych.bmj.com/content/33/2/e100159

[3]https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-valerian-88336

[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7066598/

[5]Jenabi E, Shobeiri F, Hazavehei SMM, Roshanaei G. The effect of Valerian on the severity and frequency of hot flashes: A triple-blind randomized clinical trial. Women & Health. 2017;58(3):297-304. doi:10.1080/03630242.2017.1296058

[6]https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/valerian-root

St. John’s Wort is a plant with little yellow flowers that has been used in traditional European medicine since ancient times. Its name is a reference to St. John the Baptist because the flower of the plant blooms in late June, around the feast of the saint. 

St. John’s Wort is used to treat depression, symptoms of menopause, ADHD, somatic symptom disorder, OCD, PMS, SAD, and others. It has also been used to treat viral infection and has even been successful for smoking cessation.

The flower of St. John’s Wort is used to make teas, pills, and liquid extracts. There have been many studies done that show the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort as a herbal remedy for many ailments. Depression is the illness that is most widely used to treat. A Cochrane systematic review discovered that St. John’s Wort could be very effective in helping to treat people with chronic depression. [1]

St. John’s Wort is used to treat a variety of disorders. Some studies indicate that St. John’s Wort might be beneficial for treating Somatic symptom disorder. This condition causes severe anxiety about physical symptoms such as pain, weakness, or shortness of breath. More evidence suggests that taking St. John’s Wort may reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. The herb has also proven to improve PMS symptoms in women significantly. [2]

St. John’s Wort is one of the most common herbal treatments given to children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. St. John’s Wort is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is the same as atomoxetine, a pharmaceutical approved for use in children with ADHD. [3]

Chemicals like hypericin, hyperforin, and adhyperfoin in St. John’s Wort may be responsible for their effect on improving mood. These chemicals act on messengers in the nervous system that regulate mood. These ingredients also seem to increase the levels of chemical messengers in the brain, such as dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline. [4]

John’s Wort has long been known for its medicinal effects across various bacterial and viral infections. It is very effective in promoting healing and repairing wounds. Topical uses include treating wounds, bruises, muscle pain. It is used to treat eczema and hemorrhoids. [3]

Interactions – St. John’s Wort can cause medications to not work because of enzyme induction. The herb also has interactions with many pharmaceuticals.[6]

St. John’s Wort may lead to elevated blood pressures inducing what is known as serotonin syndrome when combined with SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors. This herb also interacts with oral contraceptives, anti-seizure medications, and anticoagulants. 

St. John’s wort can also interfere with anti-rejection medications, heart medications, and some drugs used for heart disease, HIV, and cancer. It is also possible that it reduces the effectiveness of Xanax. 

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid St. John’s Wort.

[1]https:/www.cochrane.org/CD000448/DEPRESSN_st.-johns-wort-for-treating-depression

[2] https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-st-johns-wort/art-20362212

[3] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/182061

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92750/

[5]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28011162/

[6]https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-329/st-johns-wort

The California Poppy is not only a beautifully flowing plant; it is also very beneficial for its medicinal properties. The significant health properties of this herb are sedative, analgesic, and antispasmodic in action. [1]

It is most well known for being a natural sedative used to treat ailments like insomnia and anxiety. On top of causing relaxation and sleepiness, the California Poppy is used as a pain reliever. It treats nerve pain and nervous disorders. This plant’s benefits are utilized to relieve aches and pains related to sore muscles. It is also helping in treating bladder and liver diseases.[2]

The California poppy is a herbal treatment for tooth pain. The odontalgic properties found in the plant’s root are cut and applied directly to the affected area.

Its antimicrobial properties are commonly used externally to cuts and scrapes as a tincture.

Interactions – Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines)

California Poppy might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking California poppy along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.[3]

Some of these sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and others.

[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4609799/ 

[2]https://www.rxlist.com/california_poppy/supplements.htm

[3]https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-104/california-poppy

The Melatonin we take for its therapeutic benefits is usually made synthetically in a lab, but it is a hormone that is naturally found in the body. It can be ingested in pill form or placed under the tongue or in the cheek where it absorbs. 

Melatonin is most commonly taken to help circadian rhythm sleep disorders and other sleep problems. These include conditions such as insomnia, shift-work disorder (adjusting sleep-wake cycles in people whose daily work schedule changes), assisting people in establishing a day and night cycle, jet lag, and many other debilitating issues.[1] 

Melatonin’s function in the body is to help regulate the body’s internal clock. Darkness triggers the body to produce more Melatonin, which signals the body to get ready for sleep. Light exposure reduces Melatonin production and signals to the body that it is time to be awake.[2]

Interactions – Melatonin interactions with sedative medications, birth control pills, caffeine, fluvoxamine, blood clot slowing medications (anticoagulants), antidiabetes, immunosuppressants, nifedipine GITS, benzodiazepines, and verapamil.

Taking Melatonin along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.

Taking Melatonin and birth control pills might cause too much Melatonin to be in the body. Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel (Triphasil), ethinyl estradiol, and norethindrone (Ortho-Novum 1/35, Ortho-Novum 7/7/7), and others.

Taking Melatonin along with caffeine might decrease the effectiveness of melatonin supplements.

Taking Melatonin along with fluvoxamine (Luvox) might increase the effects and side effects of Melatonin.

Taking Melatonin along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding. Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar. By increasing blood sugar, Melatonin might decrease the effectiveness of diabetes medications. Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

Taking Melatonin along with medications that decrease the immune system might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system.

Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.

Nifedipine GITS (Procardia XL) is used to lower blood pressure. Taking Melatonin might decrease the effectiveness of nifedipine GITS for reducing blood pressure.

Taking Melatonin along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness.

Some of these sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and others.

Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) can increase how quickly the body gets rid of Melatonin. Taking Melatonin along with verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) might decrease the effectiveness of Melatonin. [3] 

[1]https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12115-circadian-rhythm-disorders

[2]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK550972/ 

[3]https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-940/melatonin/ 

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a naturally occurring amino acid that works as a neurotransmitter in your brain. Neurotransmitters operate as chemical messengers. GABA is acknowledged as an inhibitory neurotransmitter because it prevents specific brain signals and decreases activity in your nervous system. 

When GABA connects to a protein in your brain known as a GABA receptor, it provides a calming effect. This effect can help with feelings of stress and anxiety. As a result of these qualities, GABA has recently become a common supplement. This is because it isn’t available from many food sources. Only fermented foods, such as kimchi, miso, and tempeh, contain GABA.

GABA’s calming effect on the brain has led to GABA supplements being used to decrease stress. High stress is linked to poor sleep, a weaker immune system, and a greater risk of depression, among other things. 

People with some types of medical conditions may have lower levels of GABA. Some of these conditions include movement disorders – such as Parkinson’s disease, ADHD, panic disorders, seizure disorders, and mood disorders, such as depression. Increasing GABA can also be very beneficial to treat these conditions, and others, including high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, stress, and fatigue.[1]

Interactions – Since GABA can make some people feel sleepy, you shouldn’t drive or operate machinery after taking GABA until you know how you will be affected by it. 

[1]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4594160/

L-theanine is an amino acid found primarily in green and black tea and some mushrooms. It’s also available in pill or tablet form.

L-theanine is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the brain directly. In the brain, it may target brain chemicals that regulate arousal, anxiety, pleasure, and attention [1].

L-theanine increases brain serotonin and dopamine levels, which may improve memory and learning. It also increases the levels and effectiveness of GABA, the body’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter, and stimulates alpha brain wave activity, which may cause mental relaxation, concentration, and deep REM sleep [2][3][4][5][6].

L-theanine may also increase glutathione levels, the body’s most important antioxidant molecule [7].

In a review of five randomized controlled trials that included 104 participants, four trials linked L-theanine with reduced stress and anxiety in people experiencing stressful situations [8].

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10361674

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17182482

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9566605

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4397636

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18296328

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17272967

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16141543

[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352385915003138?via%3Dihub

Research has found magnesium deficiencies to be present in approximately 50 percent of people in the United States.[1] The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for magnesium is dependent on age and gender, but a healthy range is between 310 and 420 mg/day for most people.[2] 

A helpful supplement used to help boost magnesium levels in those with a deficiency is Magnesium Glycinate. It’s usually well-tolerated and easily absorbed by your body. Magnesium Glycinate can help reduce stress and anxiety. It can help lower blood pressure and reduce stroke, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes risks. It can improve bone health, help prevent migraines, reduce PMS symptoms, reduce general pain, and even amplify exercise performance.[3] 

Certain conditions can improve with magnesium supplementation, including fibromyalgia, according to a study published in Rheumatology International and chronic fatigue syndrome, as reported in a study in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. [4]

Interactions: Magnesium Glycinate and other supplements might also interfere or interact with bisphosphonates and antibiotics. Bisphosphonates treat osteoporosis. The body does not absorb these drugs well if people take them too close to taking supplements or medications that contain a high amount of magnesium. The body may not absorb some antibiotics if an individual ingests them too soon before or after a magnesium supplement.[5]

[1]https://www.healthline.com/health/magnesium-glycinate

[2]https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Magnesium-HealthProfessional/

[3]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5637834/

[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5409455/

[5]https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315372#risks-and-complications