Collectively , the literature reveals pre clinical and clinical evidence for various phytomedicines modulating GABA-pathways , with comparative anxiolytic effect to the current array of pharmaceuticals , along with good safety and tolerability profiles
Anxiety disorders are chronic and functionally disabling conditions with high psychological stress , characterised by cognitive symptoms of excessive worry and focus difficulties and physiological symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia .
Gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system and is a key target of pharmacotherapies in the treatment of anxiety .
Although current pharmaceutical treatments are often efficacious , they may cause undesirable side effects including cognitive decrements and withdrawal symptoms .
Plant-based " phytomedicines " may provide novel treatment options , to act as an adjunctive or alternative to existing anxiolytic medications .
As such , we conducted a systematic review to assess the current body of literature on anxiolytic phytomedicines and /or phytoconstituents .
Naturopathic Care for Anxiety: A Randomized Controlled Trial ISRCTN78958974
Background Anxiety is a serious personal health condition and represents a substantial burden to overall quality of life . Additionally anxiety disorders represent a significant cost to the health care system as well as employers through benefits coverage and days missed due to incapacity . This study sought to explore the effectiveness of naturopathic care on anxiety symptoms using a r and omized trial . Methods Employees with moderate to severe anxiety of longer than 6 weeks duration were r and omized based on age and gender to receive naturopathic care ( NC ) ( n = 41 ) or st and ardized psychotherapy intervention ( PT ) ( n = 40 ) over a period of 12 weeks . Blinding of investigators and participants during r and omization and allocation was maintained . Participants in the NC group received dietary counseling , deep breathing relaxation techniques , a st and ard multi-vitamin , and the herbal medicine , ashwag and ha ( Withania somnifera ) ( 300 mg b.i.d . st and ardized to 1.5 % withanolides , prepared from root ) . The PT intervention received psychotherapy , and matched deep breathing relaxation techniques , and placebo . The primary outcome measure was the Beck Anxiety Inventory ( BAI ) and secondary outcome measures included the Short Form 36 ( SF-36 ) , Fatigue Symptom Inventory ( FSI ) , and Measure Yourself Medical Outcomes Profile ( MY-MOP ) to measure anxiety , mental health , and quality of life respectively . Participants were blinded to the placebo-controlled intervention . Results Seventy-five participants ( 93 % ) were followed for 8 or more weeks on the trial . Final BAI scores decreased by 56.5 % ( p<0.0001 ) in the NC group and 30.5 % ( p<0.0001 ) in the PT group . BAI group scores were significantly decreased in the NC group compared to PT group ( p = 0.003 ) . Significant differences between groups were also observed in mental health , concentration , fatigue , social functioning , vitality , and overall quality of life with the NC group exhibiting greater clinical benefit . No serious adverse reactions were observed in either group . Relevance Many patients seek alternatives and /or complementary care to conventional anxiety treatments . To date , no study has evaluated the potential of a naturopathic treatment protocol to effectively treat anxiety . Knowledge of the efficacy , safety or risk of natural health products , and naturopathic treatments is important for physicians and the public in order to make informed decisions . Interpretation Both NC and PT led to significant improvements in patients ' anxiety . Group comparison demonstrated a significant decrease in anxiety levels in the NC group over the PT group . Significant improvements in secondary quality of life measures were also observed in the NC group as compared to PT . The whole system of naturopathic care for anxiety needs to be investigated further including a closer examination of the individual components within the context of their additive effect . Trial Registration Controlled-Trials.com IS RCT
Collectively , the literature reveals pre clinical and clinical evidence for various phytomedicines modulating GABA-pathways , with comparative anxiolytic effect to the current array of pharmaceuticals , along with good safety and tolerability profiles
Anxiety disorders are chronic and functionally disabling conditions with high psychological stress , characterised by cognitive symptoms of excessive worry and focus difficulties and physiological symptoms such as muscle tension and insomnia .
Gamma-aminobutyric acid ( GABA ) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system and is a key target of pharmacotherapies in the treatment of anxiety .
Although current pharmaceutical treatments are often efficacious , they may cause undesirable side effects including cognitive decrements and withdrawal symptoms .
Plant-based " phytomedicines " may provide novel treatment options , to act as an adjunctive or alternative to existing anxiolytic medications .
As such , we conducted a systematic review to assess the current body of literature on anxiolytic phytomedicines and /or phytoconstituents .