role of herbal drugs in psychiatry

The therapeutic uses of various herbal drugs for psychiatric disorders have a long tradition in India, China and other Asian cultures. The unwanted side effects of synthetic psychotropics have contributed to the increasing interest in phytotherapeutic agents. Improved understanding of appropriate and safe uses of naturally occurring substances as psychotropic agents will greatly contribute to global mental care. An important objective of this paper is to stress the scientific evidence, supporting the use of natural products in psychiatry. Traditional Ayurvedic drugs used in psychiatry is briefly discussed. Knowledge of the properties of these therapies supported by clinical evidence, efficacy and safety profile can improve the care of psychiatric patients