Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Psychosis

Abstract

Substantial number of studies has been conducted to find alternatives or treatments for psychosis. Psychosis represents a variety of mental disorders characterized by the presence of delusions, hallucinations and grossly disorganized thinking in a clear sensorium. Psychosis is burdensome and difficult to treat given the inability of the typical and atypical antipsychotics to adequately manage it, accompanied by numerous disturbing adverse effects. Therefore, many with chronic mental health problems justifiably feel disappointed by the apparent ineffectiveness of conventional treatment and naturally search for a more holistic approach to treatment and alternative medicines having less or no side-effects. Plants are rich in secondary metabolites which have the ability to interact with the Central nervous system (CNS) to produce effects that can be beneficial for the management of psychosis, these phytochemicals are believed to have minimal adverse effects. A review of some of the medicinal plants used as antipsychotics, indicated that many medicinal plants possess antipsychotic effects that can improve the treatment of psychosis. Apparently, further studies are necessary in order to isolate the active constituents, ascertain their molecular mechanisms and safety, and also to test them in clinical studies for the development of new pharmacotherapies for psychosis.