Evidence supporting the use of: Indian snakeroot
For the health condition: Schizophrenia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Indian snakeroot (Rauwolfia serpentina) has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, but importantly, its use for mental health conditions—particularly psychosis and schizophrenia—has scientific validation. The plant contains the active compound reserpine, which was first isolated in the 1950s. Clinical studies from the 1950s and 1960s demonstrated that reserpine had significant antipsychotic effects and was effective in reducing symptoms of schizophrenia, including agitation, hallucinations, and delusions. As a result, reserpine became one of the first medications used globally as an antipsychotic before the advent of newer drugs. The mechanism of action of reserpine involves the depletion of monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin) from nerve endings. This neurochemical effect is consistent with the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia and explains its antipsychotic properties. However, reserpine also causes significant side effects, notably depression and Parkinsonism, due to its broad monoamine depletion. Usage of reserpine in schizophrenia has largely been abandoned due to the development of safer and more targeted antipsychotic drugs, but its historical significance is notable. Modern clinical guidelines do not recommend Indian snakeroot or reserpine as a first-line treatment for schizophrenia due to safety concerns, but the scientific evidence for its antipsychotic efficacy remains well-documented in the literature.

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