WHAT ARE THE BEST HERBAL PRODUCTS TO HELP WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION. I AM JUST GETTING INTO THE STUDY OF ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT FOR THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN READING A LOT OF INFO OUT THERE, BUT WHO EVEN KNOWS IF IT IS ACCURATE OR HYPE FOR SELLING THEIR PRODUCT. i RECENTLY RAN INTO A PRODUCT CALLED RED CALM WHICH CONTAINS SEVERAL NATURAL PRODUCTS SUCH AS Ashwagandha root, L-Theanine, Passiflora extract(PASSION FRUIT?), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), AND LEMON BALM, WHAT IS YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THESES HERBALS?
Hi.  Great question.  There are quite a few herbs that function as well if not better than prescription medication.  The first is St. Johns Wort that you've probably heard of.  It increases serotonin in the brain as do the SSRIs (prescription medication) with fewer side effects. It is effective for both depression and anxiety but can interact w some prescription medications, so I would ask your physician.  Other herbs include passionflower, ginkgo Balboa (also helps w memory but has a positive serotonergic effect), vitamin D, magnesium, and passionflower to name a few.  These are generally safe and effective.  Lava is as effective as Xanax or Asian however there have been rare cases of severe liver disease with it, so I would not recommend it.