Submitted by: Phil Rasmussen (M.Pharm., M.P.S., Dip. Herb. Med.; M.N.I.M.H.(UK), F.N.Z.A.M.H)
Client: Female, 44 years old
Initial presentation: Feeling very stressed and overwhelmed at present; lots of balls in the air, the last year has been very stressful. Has three children, husband, part-time job and financial worries. Recently prescribed Fluoxetine, but took twice and felt terrible; not keen on taking more.
Sleep somewhat erratic; usually loves food but poor appetite lately and lost weight; sensitive digestion and often nausea and pain, especially when stressed, so sometimes skipping meals. Previously post-natal depression with each child; took St John's Wort and felt had helped.
Herbal formula:
St John's Wort 1:2 40mL
Withania 1:2 30mL
Lemon Balm 1:2 25mL
Kawakawa 1:2 10mL
Dosage: 10mL 2 x daily
Follow up:
After 3 weeks: Slight improvement, but good and bad days, and can cry a lot. Quite anxious, and periods of diarrhoea, stomach cramps, occasional vomiting. Herbal formula changed to:
Herbal Formula
St John's Wort 1:2 40mL
Withania 1:2 30mL
Lemon Balm 1:2 25mL
Kawakawa 1:2 15mL
Dosage: 8mL 3 x daily
A separate 'Relaxant Mix' to be taken as required, was also dispensed as follows:
Herbal formula
Kawakawa 1:2 60mL
Passionflower 1:2 35mL
Liquorice 1:1 5mL
Dosage: 5-15mL as required
Follow up:
At the 3rd consult 3 weeks later, she was much improved; mood and digestion better, eating more regularly. Taking both mixes daily (5-10mL Relaxant Mix) though now starting to ease off on this and take only 5mLs before work on days she works,.
Continued to take both mixtures on an ongoing basis.