Naturopathic and Integrative Care for Anxiety and Depression: What Trials Found
What one whole-system naturopathic anxiety trial and reviews of single approaches such as meditation, herbs and acupuncture found, with safety limits and urgent help first.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
If you are thinking about suicide or hurting yourself, call, text or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States. It is free and open day and night. [1] For an emergency, call 911. This page is general information, not medical advice, and it does not replace care from a doctor or mental health professional.
What this page covers
People look to naturopathic doctors, unlicensed naturopaths and integrative clinics for help with worry, low mood and stress. This page sets out what research found for the whole package of care and for single approaches, and where the evidence is thin. For the wider picture, see integrative care and mental health conditions.Who provides naturopathic care
NCCIH describes licensed naturopathic physicians as having graduate-level education at a naturopathic medical school accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education. [2] It describes traditional naturopaths as receiving training through various non-accredited programs that vary in length and content. [2] Licensing requirements for naturopathic physicians vary across U.S. states and territories. [2] NCCIH also notes that regulations, licenses or certificates do not guarantee safe, effective treatment from any health care provider. [2] See credentials, licensing and scope of practice for how to check.Standard care comes first
The UK's NHS says treatment for depression usually involves a combination of self-help, talking therapies and medicines. [3] For generalised anxiety disorder, it says a GP will usually advise trying talking therapies before prescribing medicine or referring you to a specialist. [4] Contact a doctor straight away if hopelessness or suicidal thoughts start or get worse after starting antidepressants. [3]The whole-system anxiety trial
One randomized trial tested a package of naturopathic care for anxiety. Employees with moderate to severe anxiety were assigned to naturopathic care (41 people) or a standardized psychotherapy intervention (40 people) for 12 weeks. [5] Naturopathic care included dietary counseling, deep breathing relaxation, a standard multivitamin and the herbal medicine ashwagandha. [5] Anxiety scores fell by 56.5% in the naturopathic group and 30.5% in the psychotherapy group. [5] No serious adverse reactions were seen in either group. [5]How to read this: it is a single small trial, and the package had several parts, so it cannot show which part helped. The abstract we read does not report who funded it or who the authors are affiliated with. The authors themselves say the whole system needs further investigation. [5]
A scoping review (a map of research, not a verdict) covered 33 studies with 9,859 people. [6] Its authors concluded that whole-system naturopathic medicine is effective for several conditions, including depression and anxiety. [6] Evidence label for whole-system care: promising but limited. For depression, we searched PubMed for naturopathic randomized trials and did not find a separate whole-system depression trial to read. Proper evidence not found beyond that review.
Single approaches, checked one at a time
| Approach | What the sources say | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Meditation, anxiety | Small to modest benefit for anxiety-related symptoms [7] | Promising but limited |
| Relaxation techniques, generalized anxiety disorder | Conventional psychotherapy may be more effective [7] | Mixed |
| Ashwagandha, stress and anxiety | A meta-analysis of 9 trials (558 people) reported benefit; long-term safety information is still needed [8] | Promising but limited |
| Chamomile extract, anxiety | Studies are preliminary [7] | Insufficient evidence |
| Kava, anxiety | Linked to a risk of severe liver damage [7] | Evidence of harm risk |
| Acupuncture, anxiety | Many studies were of poor methodological quality [7] | Insufficient evidence |
| Acupuncture, depression | Some evidence of a modest reduction in symptoms [9] | Promising but limited |
| Yoga, depression | Some evidence it may help [9] | Promising but limited |
| Omega-3, depression | Uncertain whether it is useful [9] | Insufficient evidence |
| SAMe, depression | Research does not support its use [9] | No good evidence of benefit |
Many of these approaches cannot be blinded, so expectation can shape results. Meditation and breathing are covered in meditation for stress, sleep and anxiety.
Before you try anything
- Tell your prescriber about every herb and supplement. NCCIH notes that some natural products have significant herb-drug interaction concerns. [9]
- Do not stop or change antidepressant or anti-anxiety medicine on your own. Talk to the prescriber first.
- Do not use an herb in place of care or to delay seeing a provider. [10]
- See how to evaluate a therapy claim and coordinating complementary and medical care.
More on the condition itself: anxiety disorders and talk therapy for anxiety and stress.
Frequently asked questions
Can a naturopath treat anxiety or depression?
One small trial found naturopathic care reduced anxiety scores more than a psychotherapy intervention, but it is a single study with a multi-part package. [5] Standard first steps remain talking therapies and, where needed, medicine. [3]
Is ashwagandha proven for anxiety?
A meta-analysis of nine trials reported benefit, but long-term safety information is still needed. [8] NCCIH reports rare liver injury cases. [12]
Is St. John's wort safe with antidepressants?
No. NCCIH warns that combining it with certain antidepressants can cause a potentially life-threatening serotonin increase. [10]
Does acupuncture help depression or anxiety?
NCCIH reports some evidence of a modest reduction in depression symptoms, but many anxiety studies were of poor quality. [9] [7]
Where can I get urgent help?
In the United States, call, text or chat 988 for crisis support, or call 911 in an emergency. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
St. John's wort and herb-drug interactions
Ashwagandha has been linked to rare cases of liver injury, and NCCIH does not recommend it before surgery or for people with autoimmune or thyroid disorders. [12]