Horehound,
L. Ballota
nigra
Diterpenes, tannins
Sedative
Arrhythmias, diarrhea,
hypoglycemia,
possible spontaneous
abortions
May enhance
serotonergic drug
effects, may augment
hypoglycemic effects
of drugs
1–4 g/day
May cause abortion
Jambolan,
L. Syzygium
cumini
Oleic acid, myristic
acid, palmitic and
linoleic acids,
tannins
Anxiolytic, antidepressant
Undetermined
Undetermined
1–2 g/day
In folk medicine, a single dose
is 30 seeds (1.9 g) of powder
Kanna,
Sceletium
tortuosum
Alkaloid,
mesembrine
Anxiolytic, mood
enhancer, empathogen,
COPD treatment
Sedation, vivid dreams,
headache
Potentiates cannabis,
PDE inhibitor
50–100 mg
Insufficient data
Kava kava,
L. Piperis
methysticum
Kava lactones, kava
pyrone
Sedative, hypnotic
antispasmodic
Lethargy, impaired
cognition, dermatitis
with long-term usage,
liver toxicity
Synergistic with
anxiolytics, alcohol;
avoid with levodopa
and dopaminergic
agents
600–800 mg/day May be GABAergic;
contraindicated in patients
with endogenous depression;
may increase the danger of
suicide
Kratom,
Mitragyna
speciosa
Alkaloid
Stimulant and depressant
Priapism, testicular
enlargement,
withdrawal,
depression, fatigue,
insomnia
Structurally similar to
yohimbine
Undetermined Chewed, extracted into water,
tar formulations
Lavender,
L. Lavandula
angustifolia
Hydroxycoumarin,
tannins, caffeic
acid
Sedative, hypnotic
Headache, nausea,
confusion
Synergistic with other
sedatives
3–5 g/day
May cause death in overdose
Lemon balm, sweet
Mary,
L. Melissa
officinalis
Flavonoids, caffeic
acid, triterpenes
Hypnotic, anxiolytic,
sedative
Undetermined
Potentiates CNS
depressant; adverse
reaction with thyroid
hormone
8–10 g/day
Insufficient data
l
-methylfolate
Folate is a B vitamin
found in some
foods, needed
to form healthy
cells, especially
red blood cells.
l
-methylfolate and
levomefolate are
names for
the active form of
folic acid.
Adjunctive L is used for
major depression, not
an antidepressant when
used alone. Folate and
l
-methyfolate are also
used to treat folic acid
deficiency in pregnancy,
to prevent spinal cord
birth defects.
GI side effects reported.
None
15 mg once
a day by
mouth with or
without food
Considered a “medical food” by
the FDA and only available
by prescription. Safe to take
during pregnancy when used
as directed.
Mistletoe,
L. Viscum
album
Flavonoids,
triterpenes, lectins,
polypeptides
Anxiolytic; for mental and
physical exhaustion
Berries said to have
emetic and laxative
effects
Contraindicated in
patients with chronic
infections (e.g.,
tuberculosis)
10 per day
Berries have caused death in
children.
1056
Table 29.34-3
Phytomedicinals with Psychoactive Effects (
continued
)
Name
Ingredients
Use
Adverse Effects
a
Interactions
Dosage
a
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