From: ((Steven B. Harris))
Subject: Re: Wanted: Herbal Anxiolytic
Date: 18 May 1995
Newsgroups: misc.health.alternative

In <3pdp0p$2pah@news-s01.ny.us.ibm.net> abethea@ibm.net writes:

>>In message ID <trancer.19.000CE7DE@primenet.com> on 5/4/95, S.
Gurgevic
>><trancer@primenet.com> wrote:
>>
>>: I am looking for an herbal alternative to minor tranquilizers, such
>>: as the  benzodiazepines (valium, xanax, ativan, etc). I will be
>>: seeing a patient next month that has been diagnosed with a
>>: stress-related skin disorder (excema and hives).  Although the
>>: referral is for
>>:
>>: hypnotherapy, I would also like to use a herbal or nutrutional
>>: alternative to  the patient's current anxiolytic medication.   Any
>>: suggestions on choice and options? Thank you in advance for any replies.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>>:  Steven Gurgevich, Ph.D.
>


>Valerian and/or Skull cap have been used for nervous conditions.


Comment: Skullcap is a worthless drug except for the placebo effect.
Valerian has some activity if you can stand the smell.  In any case,
somebody with (presumably atopic) ecxema and hives hopefully will be
treated with some antiallergy therapy (elimination of allergens,
antihistamines) instead of just "stress reduction."  Anyone who has seen
hives (urticaria) dissapear in 30 minutes after a shot of epinephrine is
not going to believe that chestnut about their generally being "caused"
by "stress."  It's way more complex than that.  Urticaria are a symptom,
not a disease.

                                        Steve Harris, M.D.