Ayurveda (literally means “knowledge of long life”) is the ancient medical system from India. I’ve been studying it since the late 80s and practicing on myself, family, friends and branched out into clients who are usually friends of friends etc. It’s not a business, just something I like to do.
I’ve had many health problems myself so I’ve had lots of practice with those, and pretty good outcomes.
If someone has a condition which involves pharmaceutical meds, it’s always good to try to find a doctor who knows about herbs (good luck...) - my doc is a naturopath who knows western meds etc and natural methods and is open. I do not know much of anything about meds and how they may interact with herbs so it’s good to do some research. Tapering is a process by which one gradually increases herbs while gradually decreasing pharma meds, when that is warranted.
I’m sure a lot of herbs can be taken alongside meds but it’s a “due diligence” issue that I know little to nothing about. Just from my own research I think many herbs would not interact badly with most meds but it would have to be looked into or experimented with.
I have severe allergies/sensitivies to almost all drugs I’ve ever taken, up to and including life threatening anaphylactic shock from penicillin, so I rarely take any prescription meds and when I do, I often have to discontinue. So I am not knowledgeable in this area.
Scullcap (sometimes spelled Skullcap) Scutellaria lateriflora
Tissues: plasma, blood, marrow and nerve, reproductive
Systems: nervous, circulatory
Properties: nervine tonic, sedative, antispasmodic, alterative
1-9 grams per day (in tea I presume) or tincture 10-40 drops)
Uses: relaxes nervous tension, insomnia, calming, strengthens the brain, useful for chorea, epilepsy and seizures generally, often in combination with other nervines. Emotional disturbances, neuralgia, anxiety and stress, spasms, tremors, addictions and recovery, hypertension, PMS.
Works well to relax and renew the nervous system, including mental tension and anxiety; for calming can be combined with herbs like Ashwagandha and Bala or Valerian (Tagar), can be used with Chamomile. Although a relaxing herb, it is not dulling and helps with memory, focus and higher mental functions.
For excess anger it can be combined with Gotu Kola, Chamomile or Licorice (avoid licorice in cases of hypertension). Considered one of the best herbs for helping break addictions and ease withdrawal symptoms. For insomnia can be used alone or with Hops. (I have used it alone, as a tincture and found it very effective, I use 20 drops.)