Schizophrenia

Why it works: Guanxin Danshen formula (GXDSF — products such as Guanxin Danshen Dripping Pills, “冠心丹参滴丸”, or related Guanxin Danshen capsules) contains Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) plus P...

Instructions: GXDSF appears in different marketed forms (dripping pills, capsules, tablets). Indications in the product literature are primarily cardiovascular (angina, coronary disease) or for...

Warnings: Bleeding risk and interaction with anticoagulants (esp. warfarin). Danshen and some compound Danshen...

Studies: Clinical trials of Guanxin Danshen products target cardiovas...

Why it works: Briefly, ashwagandha contains bioactive withanolides and related compounds that have several properties potentially relevant to schizophrenia:. • Anti-inflammatory / immunomodulato...

Instructions: The largest controlled trial to date (University of Pittsburgh / J Clin Psychiatry, Chengappa et al., 2018) used a standardized Withania somnifera extract (Sensoril®). Key practica...

Warnings: Major, evidence-backed warnings. • Use only as adjunct — do not stop antipsychotics. The trials adde...

Studies: Randomized / controlled trialsChengappa K.N.R. et al., J Cli...

Why it works: Ginkgo biloba (usually as a standardized extract such as EGb-761) has been studied as an adjunct (add-on) therapy to antipsychotics in schizophrenia. Some randomized trials report...

Instructions: Key points from clinical trials and reviews. • Formulation used in most clinical trials: a standardized extract (commonly EGb-761). Trials using non-standardized raw leaf preparati...

Warnings: Major safety issues (documented). • Bleeding risk and antithrombotic interactions: Ginkgo can affect...

Studies: Key randomized controlled trials (examples)Zhang XY et al.,...

Why it works: Curcumin (the active polyphenol in turmeric) has plausible mechanisms and several small randomized add-on trials showing some benefit—mostly for negative symptoms and cognition whe...

Instructions: Clinical trials used these regimens (examples):. • 3,000 mg/day oral curcumin (plain curcumin) for 24 weeks used as an add-on to antipsychotics in a randomized, double-blind trial...

Warnings: Curcumin/turmeric supplements are often safe at culinary doses, but supplements (especially high dos...

Studies: Randomized clinical trials (examples)Miodownik et al., Clin...

Why it works: NMDA co-agonist / glutamate modulation. Glycine is an endogenous co-agonist at the NMDA glutamate receptor (it binds the “glycine modulatory site” and helps NMDA receptor activatio...

Instructions: Common trial doses (direct glycine):. • ~0.8 g/kg/day (the widely cited crossover trials used ~0.8 g/kg/day — roughly 60 g/day for a 75 kg person). This was given orally as divided...

Warnings: High doses carry metabolic/renal load. Trials that used tens of grams/day significantly increased se...

Studies: Randomized controlled trials / crossover trials (direct glyc...

Why it works: NAC works through several interconnected mechanisms that target the underlying pathophysiology of schizophrenia:. Primary Mechanisms:. • NAC is a precursor to glutathione, the brai...

Instructions: Dosage Recommendations:. • Most clinical trials used a median dose of 2,000 mg/day PubMed Psychiatrist. • Suggested dosing regimen: 600 mg twice daily for 7 days, then 1200 mg twic...

Warnings: Common Side Effects:. • Mild gastrointestinal symptoms are the most common adverse effects N-acetyl-...

Studies: Major Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses:Yolland et al. Me...

Why it works: Two complementary perspectives are used:. a. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rationale.. • Zhen Xin An Shen Tang (镇心安神汤) is a classical 7-herb formula whose indicated actio...

Instructions: Classical formula (Zhen Xin An Shen Tang) — composition & classical dosing / notes. • Typical ingredients (classical 7 herbs): Long Gu (fossilised bone), Mu Li (oyster shell), Fu S...

Warnings: General safety / interaction concerns. • Do not use herbal formulas as an unsupervised replacement f...

Studies: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot RCT (Fron...

Why it works: Traditional rationale (TCM): Wendan/Wen Dan Tang is a classical formula used to “clear phlegm-heat,” harmonize the gallbladder/stomach and calm the spirit — TCM syndromes that are...

Instructions: Classical formula / common ingredients. The core Wen Dan Tang formula (common modern composition) typically contains some combination of:. • Pinellia (Ban Xia, prepared/ginger-proc...

Warnings: General safety reported in trials: Most trials reported mild adverse events (nausea, vomiting, diarr...

Studies: Systematic reviews / Cochrane summary: A formal systematic r...

Why it works: Mechanism: Sarcosine inhibits the glycine transporter-1 (GlyT1), raising synaptic glycine levels and thereby enhancing NMDA receptor function at the glycine modulatory site—an axis...

Instructions: Typical study dose: 2 g/day orally, usually for 6–12 weeks as an adjunct. Multiple randomized trials used 2 g/day (often while patients received risperidone or other SGAs). rima.or...

Warnings: Use only as an adjunct under clinician supervision. Sarcosine is typically sold as a dietary supplem...

Studies: Randomized, double-blind trials (adjunctive):Sarcosine 2 g/d...