Can natural remedies help with symptoms of OCD and anxiety?
It’s also smart to consider potential side effects and safety concerns.
At a Glance
Interest in natural remedies for OCD and anxiety has grown in recent years.
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Such supplements also come with side effects and may cause drug interactions.
If you have OCD or anxiety, always talk to your doctor before trying any natural remedy.
Natural Treatments for OCD
Nutritional supplements are available for OCD and anxiety.
But you should inform yourself about the evidence-based benefits and potential side effects before you decide to take one.
But research is ongoing.
Most herbal remedies are available at drugstores without a prescription.
However, it’s important to talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.
Disruptions in the serotonin system are thought to be important in the development ofsymptoms of OCD.
But, the evidence that St. Johns Wort is an effective treatment for OCD is limited.
Results like this question the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort as an OCD treatment.
It was found that there was no significant difference between milk thistle and Prozac for OCD symptoms.
N-Acetylcysteine
N-Acetylcysteineis an amino acid that moderates glutamine in the brain.N-acetylcysteinehelps produce glutathione, an important antioxidant.
It has been used for hundreds of years in Polynesia, the Micronesia Islands, and Hawaii.
It’s best to take Kava from a water-based extract at less than 250 mgs per day.
Kava is not recommended during lactation or pregnancy.
Sometimes, study results sound impressive because basic research standards were compromised.
Herbal treatments can also interfere with prescription medications that you may already be taking.
This could lead to a problem known asserotonin syndrome.
Because kava may harm the liver, taking this herbal remedy with alcohol may increase this risk.
Other Complementary Therapies
Don’t forget that there are other alternatives for treating the symtoms of OCD.
Beyond supplements, lifestyle interventions such asmindfulness meditation,acupuncture, andyogamay be effective as well.
Treatments for OCD typically include medication and therapy.
Medicines that may be prescribed includeselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)ortricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
Therapies that may be helpful includecognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)oracceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).
2020;35(5):254-262. doi:10.1097/YIC.0000000000000321
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Kava.
National Institute on Aging.Placebos in Clinical Trials.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.St.
2018;21(11):1007-1013. doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyy079
