Bipolar Disorder

Why it works: Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a widely-used herbal sedative with clinical evidence for improving sleep and some anxiety symptoms, and a small randomized add-on trial suggests...

Instructions: Typical dosing used for sleep/anxiety in clinical trials: commonly 300–600 mg of standardized valerian extract once daily at bedtime is used in many insomnia/anxiety studies; some...

Warnings: May precipitate hypomania/mania in rare cases: there are published case reports and case series sugg...

Studies: Randomized add-on trial in bipolar disorder (2009) — “Effect...

Why it works: There is suggestive but limited evidence that ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) can help stress, anxiety and some cognitive symptoms through anti-inflammatory, GABA/monoamine-modula...

Instructions: There is no universal, guideline-endorsed “ashwagandha protocol” for bipolar disorder. What follows are doses/formulations commonly used in human trials for anxiety, stress and cog...

Warnings: Risk of precipitating mania / hypomania or psychiatric destabilization.. • Herbal medicines (includi...

Studies: Direct / bipolar-specific:Registered randomized, double-blin...

Why it works: In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiao Yao San / FEWP is used to “soothe the Liver, strengthen the Spleen, nourish blood, and calm the spirit” — in Western terms this is used for st...

Instructions: Clinical trial context (Zhang et al.). The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that tested FEWP for bipolar disorder evaluated FEWP as adjunctive therapy to carbamaz...

Warnings: Do not use FEWP as monotherapy for bipolar disorder. The controlled bipolar trial used FEWP as an ad...

Studies: Key controlled trial (bipolar disorder)Zhang ZJ et al., J Ps...

Why it works: Rhodiola contains active compounds (mainly salidroside and rosavins) that have demonstrated antidepressant, anti-fatigue, adaptogenic and neuroprotective effects in preclinical and...

Instructions: What trials used (useful as reference points):. • SHR-5 extract (standardized Rhodiola): randomized trials for mild–moderate major depression used 340 mg/day (single tablet) and 68...

Warnings: Risk of precipitating hypomania/mania — The clearest clinical safety concern is that Rhodiola has an...

Studies: Depression / fatigue / stress: multiple randomized trials an...

Why it works: There is no strong evidence that lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an established treatment for bipolar disorder. Clinical research shows lemon balm may help anxiety, mild depres...

Instructions: Clinical trials use a variety of preparations and doses. These are study examples (not medical prescriptions) — always discuss with your treating psychiatrist.. • Single-dose, acut...

Warnings: Key safety points (backed by clinical resources):. • Not a substitute for mood stabilizers / antipsy...

Studies: Systematic review & meta-analysis: “The effects of lemon...

Why it works: NAC is a precursor to glutathione and a modulator of glutamate and inflammation. Those biochemical effects map onto plausible pathophysiologic mechanisms in mood disorders (oxidati...

Instructions: Typical trial regimen. • Dose: Most randomized trials used 2,000 mg/day oral NAC, given as 1,000 mg twice daily (1 g BID). This is the common dose reported in the major bipolar RCT...

Warnings: Commonly reported side effects (oral NAC). • Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, diarrhea...

Studies: Representative randomized controlled trials (adjunctive NAC...

Why it works: Passionflower has some clinical evidence for anxiety and sleep benefits, but there is little-to-no direct evidence that it treats bipolar disorder itself; use in bipolar patients r...

Instructions: Common forms used in studies:. • Tea / infusion — e.g., some sleep/anxiety studies used a cup (≈250 mL) of passionflower tea nightly for short durations (study protocols vary). Ver...

Warnings: No proven treatment for bipolar disorder. Passionflower has not been established as a mood-stabilizi...

Studies: Systematic review / overview (Nutrients, 2020) — comprehensi...

Why it works: Membrane & neurotransmission effects. EPA and DHA are major components of neuronal membranes, influence membrane fluidity and receptor/signalling function, and thereby can affect m...

Instructions: Common dosing & formulations used in bipolar trials. • Total daily EPA+DHA: commonly ~1–2 g/day total combined EPA+DHA in many trials. Some trials specifically used EPA-predominant...

Warnings: Major safety points. • Bleeding risk / interaction with anticoagulants/antiplatelets. High doses of...

Studies: Cochrane: “Omega-3 fatty acids for bipolar disorder” (system...