Table 29.34-3
Phytomedicinals with Psychoactive Effects
Name
Ingredients
Use
Adverse Effects
a
Interactions
Dosage
a
Comments
Arctic weed, golden
root
MAOI and
b
endorphin
Anxiolytic, mood
enhancer, antidepressant
No side effect yet
documented in trials
100 mg bid to
200 mg tid
Use caution with drugs that
mimic MAOIs
Areca, areca nut,
betel nut,
L. Areca
catechu
Arecoline,
guvacoline
For alteration of
consciousness to reduce
pain and elevate mood
Parasympathomimetic
overload: increased
salivation, tremors,
bradycardia,
spasms, GI
disturbances, ulcers
of the mouth
Avoid with
parasympathomimetic
drugs; atropine-like
compounds reduce
effect
Undetermined;
8–10 g is
toxic dose for
humans.
Used by chewing the nut; used
in the past as a chewing balm
for gum disease and as a
vermifuge; long-term use may
result in malignant tumors of
the oral cavity.
Ashwaganda
Also called Indian
Winter Cherry or
Indian Ginseng,
native to India.
Flavinoids.
Antioxidant, may decrease
anxiety levels.
Improved libido in men
and women
May lower levels of the
stress hormone cortisol.
Drowsiness and
sleepiness
None
Dosage is 1
tablet twice
daily before
meals with
a gradual
increase to
4 tablets per
day.
None
Belladonna,
L. Atropa
belladonna,
deadly
nightshade
Atropine,
scopolamine,
flavonoids
b
Anxiolytic
Tachycardia,
arrhythmias,
xerostomia,
mydriasis, difficulties
with micturition and
constipation
Synergistic with
anticholinergic drugs;
avoid with TCAs,
amantadine, and
quinidine
0.05–0.10 mg
a day;
maximum
single dose is
0.20 mg
Has a strong smell, tastes sharp
and bitter, and is poisonous
Biota,
Platycladus
orientalis
Plant derivative
Used as a sedative. Other
uses are to treat heart
palpitations, panic,
night sweats, and
constipation. May be
useful in ADHD.
No known adverse
effects.
None
No clear
established
doses exist.
None
Bitter orange flower,
citrus aurantium
Flavonoids, limonene Sedative, anxiolytic,
hypnotic
Photosensitization
Undetermined
Tincture, 2–3 g/
day; drug,
4–6 g/day;
extract, 1–2
g/day
Contradictory evidence;
some refer to it as a gastric
stimulant
Black cohosh,
L. Cimicifuga
racemosa
Triterpenes, isoferulic
acid
For PMS, menopausal
symptoms,
dysmenorrhea
Weight gain, GI
disturbances
Possible adverse
interaction with male
or female hormones
1–2 g/day; over
5 g can cause
vomiting,
headache,
dizziness,
cardiovascular
collapse.
Estrogen-like effects
questionable because root
may act as an estrogen-
receptor blocker.
1053
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continued
)
