| |  | | Tourette’s Syndrome
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Name not given
Posted on: January 7, 1999
My daughter, age 22, suffers from Tourettes. She is on the drug Orap, but as time goes on, the medication seems to be helping less and less. She really doesn’t want to to on Haloperidol, and I have told her of the medicinal qualities and effects on seratonin that St. John’s Wort and Passionflower have. If at all possible, could you please let us know of any herbal therapies that you think could possibly help her? We are desparately seeking alternative methods of treating this neurological condition which is starting to worsen. you can give us.
Siegfried Gursche, in "Encyclopedia of Natural Healing" (Alive Publishers, Canada, (800) 663-6580 or Natural Life Publishing Inc., U.S. (800) 663-6513) describes Tourette’s syndrome as a neurological disease characterized by involuntary muscular movements, tics and uncontrollable, sometimes inappropriate, vocal sounds. He recommends a diet and herbs which promote a healthy nervous system and muscle control. Foods recommended are those high in B vitamins, such as brown rice, peanuts, milk, fish, poultry and lean meat, and those high in potassium and magnesium required for muscle control such as whole grains and dark green vegetables.
Herbal remedies recommended by Gursche include chamomile, hops, skullcap, wood betony or valerian, which are free of side effects, provide vitamins and minerals, and relax muscles and nerves. The herbs can be taken as teas by adding 1 teaspoon of the herb to a cup of boiling water, and steeping in a covered glass or ceramic pot or mug for 15 minutes. Dosage is one cup, three times daily.
Be careful when suggesting other herbs while drugs are being taken. For example, St. John’s Wort has a monamine oxidase inhibiting action which may increase the effect the drug Orap.
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