About the Author: Dr. Gaynel Nave, NMD, is a board member of the Psychiatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians and is an Arizona licensed naturopathic doctor who practices as a naturopathic educator both online and in-person in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Getting a new psych diagnosis can feel like uncharted territory. You want to be well, but you’re concerned about choosing the right treatments, the long list of potential side effects of treatment, and being on meds forever. You search for natural treatment options, but the expansive world of natural health is overwhelming. You know you need guidance on if and how natural solutions can support you and how they might interact with other medications, but where can you go?
To provide appropriate and safe prescriptions, naturopathic doctors (NDs) spend 4 to 5 years in medical training, including the study of pharmacology (how drugs impact systems and how the body responds), botanical medicine (how plant material impacts the body), and over 100 hours of nutrition (how food and its nutrients can be used therapeutically and how it may impact the effects herbs or medications have on the body).1,2 Using this knowledge, licensed naturopathic doctors understand the medical uses, indications, dosages, forms, and contraindications of herbs, medications, and nutrients for the application of medical treatment.
5 Drug–Herb Interactions Involving St. John’s Wort and More
Scouring the internet, you will see many articles about various herbs and natural therapies for mental health, but be forewarned, some supplements can interact with medications and should be avoided. St John’s wort reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, coumadin, and some SSRIs, lemon balm interacts with thyroid medications, goldenseal, and similar herbs interact with sedatives, and curcumin and fish oil interact with blood thinners.3 As you can see, natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe, best, or effective without proper guidance. That’s why the expertise of naturopathic doctors in herb-drug interactions can be so valuable to your health.
Whether you are on prescription medications like Xanax (a benzodiazepine), or other antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, or other mental health medications, you can still receive naturopathic support. Depending on your state of residence and your naturopathic doctor’s additional training and certifications, your ND may provide medication management, tapering protocols, nutrient therapy, and counseling.
Herbs and herbal supplements, when recommended appropriately, can work synergistically to help decrease the potential side effects from your medications, reduce the necessary dosage of prescription drugs to improve your symptoms, and improve your quality of life.
How Can Seeing a Naturopathic Doctor Help My Health Journey?
Licensed or registered naturopathic doctors conduct a holistic review of your medications, diagnoses, symptoms, systems, medical history, sociocultural history, and mental-emotional history. NDs offer interventions and treatments only after considering the negative interactions, contraindications, potential drug interactions, and synergistic interactions of your treatment’s unique elements.
NDs are trained and maintain training in conventional medical standards of care, pharmacology, and functional medicine. They receive multidisciplinary instruction and work collaboratively with health professionals like psychiatrists, MDs, therapists, and acupuncturists to provide comprehensive care that supports your health goals. An ND is an excellent addition to any comprehensive health team.
Mental Healthcare That Sees the Whole Person
The mental health field is evolving away from the model encompassed by the phrase “a pill for what ails you” toward a comprehensive whole person view of mental health, including genetics, trauma, nutrition, physical environments, and more. It is exploring how the systems in the body, such as the gastrointestinal (GI), endocrine (hormones), and nervous systems interact with the food we eat, the dietary and herbal supplements we take, medicines, prescription medications, the environment we are exposed to, and our personal or family history of pain and trauma to influence our mental health experience. Naturopathic doctors are equipped to provide the future of mental healthcare.
References:
1. ND, MD/DO, NP: What’s the difference? American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. January 4th, 2021. https://aanmc.org/comparing-nd-md-curricula/
2. Professional Education – Naturopathic Medicine. American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. https://naturopathic.org/general/custom.asp?page=education
3. Asher GN, Corbett AH, Hawke RL. Common Herbal Dietary Supplement-Drug Interactions. Amer Fam Phys. 2017;96(2):101-107. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28762712/
