Bipolar Disorder: Herbs, Supplements & Safety

Bipolar disorder is not a condition where we are going to turn a supplement trend into a treatment claim. The stakes are too high.

Quick answer

NIMH states that no complementary health approach is FDA-approved for treating bipolar disorder, and these approaches have not been comprehensively studied the way established medication and psychotherapy treatments have.

A major herb warning

St. John’s wort is especially important to flag because it interacts with many medicines, including antidepressants, and case reports describe worsening psychotic symptoms in people with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Evidence strength

Norene’s Farmacy rating for herbal treatment claims in bipolar disorder: INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE, WITH IMPORTANT INTERACTION AND MOOD-STABILITY CONCERNS.

What we do not claim

We do not claim that herbs, teas, gummies, or supplements stabilize mood, prevent mania, treat bipolar depression, or replace psychiatric care.

Sources

National Institute of Mental Health. Bipolar Disorder.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. St. John’s Wort and Depression: In Depth.

Dr. Village Reports is educational information and product guidance, not medical advice.