Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2001 Jun; 3(3): 226-34.

What the general psychiatrist should know about herbal medicine.

Kenny E, Muskin PR, Brown R, Gerbarg PL.

Department of Psychiatry, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, 622 West 168th Street, Box 427, New York, NY 10032, USA.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has increased tremendously over the past 10 years. As a result of the increase physicians must understand both the factual information about CAM practices and the psychologic reasons patients seek out such treatments. A particular concern is the use of CAM by patients without the knowledge of their physicians, which may lead to complications resulting from interactions, or adverse effects from treatments of which the physician is unaware. This paper reviews research concerning the use of CAM by patients, explores some of the psychodynamic factors in CAM use, and suggests means of integrating that use into the patient's therapy. Specific information about herbal and other alternative products is provided.