Are there any known herbal remedies for post traumatic stress
disorder?If so what are the ingredients\recipes?

Hello, arkin-ga!

Thanks for an interesting question! 

Herbs can play a role in treating post-traumatic stress disorder.
However, since PTSD may be a serious and long-standing emotional
illness, it is best for an individual to work with a medical
practitioner who is familiar with both conventional and alternative
medicine. This is especially important due to the potentially harmful
interactions between herbs and traditional medications.

 The following articles mention specific herbs used in treating Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder. Again, it is important to stress the
importance of working with a knowledgeable herbalist as opposed to
self-treatment.

==

From "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder," by Marylinn Markarian, MD, Best
Practice of Medicine. June 2001. (Last modified March 27, 2002.)
http://merck.praxis.md/index.asp?page=bpm_report&article_id=BPM01PS11&section=report&ss=3#AC

"Ginseng root and cola nut are also used by some to enhance energy in
states of depression. Kava-kava and valerian roots can have calming,
sedating effects and are used to alleviate anxiety and insomnia. When
combined with other psychoactive compounds, kava-kava may potentiate
their sedative effects."

==

Traditional Chinese herbalists consider many factors when treating
Post Traumatic Stress disorder. Treatment is based on an individual's
specific "constitution", so different combinations of herbs may be
prescribed. The following article contains several examples of
individual patients and the variety of herbs used in treatment. While
I have provided some excerpts about the general use of herbs in PTSD,
please read the entire article for individual case studies.

"Can herbal medicine help people with anxiety, panic & PTSD? by Andrew
Gaeddert. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, August-Sept, 2002
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m0ISW/2002_August-Sept/90794486/p1/article.jhtml

"The best way to take herbs is having them administered by a trained
herbalist. You may obtain the name of an herbalist from a friend or
see resource list. For example, an herbalist trained in Traditional
Chinese Medicine (TCM) will note the symptoms of anxiety and panic but
will also determine the other symptoms such as nightmares, sweating
during the day and at night, mood swings, digestive symptoms, muscle
aches, joint pain, sensations of hot and cold."

"Although herbal anti-depressants or sedatives can be administered,
well trained herbalists keep in mind constitutional factors when they
select herbs. The following examples demonstrate how different
patients with panic disorder and PTSD are treated differently by
Chinese medicine."

(See individual case studies)

...

"Herbalists should be comfortable treating the patient on medication.
If your practitioner is reluctant, it's best to seek a referral and
find someone who is experienced in this area. To avoid herbal-drug
interactions, it is important to take herbs and drugs 2 hours apart."

"It is important to find an herbalist who can recommend herbs in a way
you will comply with. For example, some clients prefer tea, alcohol
extracts, or pills. It is not uncommon to start out with teas or
alcohol extracts and switch to pills as they are easier to take long
term. As the herbs are not drugs, it is common to drink several cups a
day of infusion, 8 to 16 ounces of brewed decoction, or 9 or more
pills per day. Some herbalists may even recommend herbal baths or
bathing with aromatherapy, which can have immediate benefits."

..

"What if you cannot find an herbalist to work with? Although there are
many over the counter herbs sold for anxiety, these should be used
cautiously with medications. Perhaps the safest are lavender essential
oil which can be applied topically to the inner wrists and added to a
bath, and Rescue Remedy a gentle herbal medicine which can be added to
water and sipped on throughout the day."

"In our experience the following popular herbs work best when combined
with professionally prescribed constitutional tonic herbs. Like foods,
herbs work best when used in combination. The well known herbal
antidepressant, St. John's wort, has been found to interact with a
variety of pharmaceutical drugs, so it is best used by clients who are
not taking medications. In a few cases, it has also caused a
photosensitive skin reaction. Ginkgo leaf is used to promote blood
flow. Lately it has been used to help alleviate the side effects of
sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants. Clients need to take
ginkgo for at least six weeks to observe clinical benefits. It has
been reported to interact with blood thinning medications, including
aspirin and coumadin. Kava Kava has natural sedative and muscle
relaxant properties. Clinical studies have demonstrated it to be safe
and effective. It should only be used under professional supervision
if clients are taking sedating drugs. It should not be used before
driving or operating heavy machinery as a general precaution.
Constitutional tonics include Shen Gem, qi and blood tonic for clients
with anxiety, fatigue, pallor, and difficulty falling asleep; Calm
Spirit for heart yin deficiency with anxiety, dryness or heat, and
waking up frequently at night; Source Qi for loose stools, and
fatigue; Rehmannia 8 for fear, coldness, low back pain and frequent
urination. Shizandra Dreams or Griffonex 5-HTP can be used before bed
to help clients enjoy more restful sleep."

"Herbal therapy, when appropriately used, can offer many benefits to
clients suffering from anxiety and panic disorders. Botanicals are
often more suitable than drugs for highly sensitive patients and
individuals who have previous herb experience. They should be combined
with techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Whenever
possible, use herbs under the direction of a professional herbalist."

==

A list of herbs used in stress disorders, including Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, is highlighted in the following article:

"Stress." Complimentary Medicine. IVillage.
http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/onemed/content/0,,241012_245687,00.html?arrivalSA=1&cobrandRef=0&arrival_freqCap=2


"The following herbal remedies may provide relief from symptoms: a
combination of equal parts of passionflower (Passiflora incarnata),
lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and oatstraw (Avena sativa) with one
to three of the following herbs."

 * With anxiety: kava kava (Piper methysticum), motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
 * With insomnia: valerian (Valeriana officinalis), skullcap
(Scutellaria laterifolia)
 * With depression: St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), wood
betony (Stachys betonica)
 * With digestive upset: wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), chamomile
(Matricaria recutita)
 * With exhaustion: bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus), gotu kola (Centella asiatica)

"Siberian ginseng (Eleuthrococcus senticosus) inhibits the alarm phase
of stress. It is best taken four to six months as a fluid extract
(1:1) 1/2 to 1 tsp. two to three times per day. Take before 3 pm."

"Herbs are generally available as dried extracts (pills, capsules, or
tablets), teas, or tinctures (alcohol extraction, unless otherwise
noted). Dose for teas is 1 heaping tsp./cup water steeped for 10
minutes (roots need 20 minutes)."

==

A more scientific treatment of the subject along with specific herbal
recommendations can be found in the following article:

"An extract from Homeopathic remedies for traumatic stress," by
Miranda Castro, FSHom, RSHom(NA), CCH. National Center for Homeopathy.
http://www.homeopathic.org/crattack.htm

 Some of the herbs mentioned for various aspects of Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder are Aconite, Stramonium, Arnica,
homeopathically-prepared Opium, Gelsemium, Ignatia, Natrum muriaticum,
Calcarea carbonica, Arsenicum, Cocculus, Aurum metallicum, Pulsatilla
and Causticum.


==

 It is important to note that the efficacy of herbal medicine to treat
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder still lacks credibility in much of the
mainstream medical community.
   
From "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)." University of Michigan
Health System. http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_ptsd_bha.htm

"Claims have been made that certain herbal and dietary products (kava
root, lemon balm, lavender, passion flower, valerian) help PTSD. No
herb or dietary supplement has been proven to help PTSD."

==

 I hope this information helps to answer your question! 

umiat-ga 

Google Search Strategy
herbal treatment AND post traumatic stress
herbs and post traumatic stress

Thanks,your answer was very informative and tremendously helpful!