Stress, Mood & Digestion

CASE STUDY: Stress, Mood & Digestion

SUBMITTED BY: Phil Rasmussen (M.Pharm., M.P.S., Dip. Herb. Med.; M.N.I.M.H.(UK),  F.N.Z.A.M.H)
 

PATIENT: 44-year-old female
 

INITIAL PRESENTATION & KEY CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS:

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 TREATMENT 

Herbal Formula (315mL)

St John's Wort 1:2       40mL

Withania 1:2                30mL

Kawakawa 1:2            10mL

DOSAGE: 10mL 2 x daily
 

FOLLOW-UP:
3 weeks later. 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 (425mL)

St John's Wort 1:2       40mL

Withania 1:2                30mL

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 (200mL)

Kawakawa 1:2         60mL

Passionflower 1:2    35mL

DOSAGE: 5-15mL as required

FOLLOW-UP:
At the 3^rd 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.