Ashwagandha and Holy Basil with Antidepressant?
Answered by: Susan Eagles
Question from: Cindy
Posted on: February 27, 2007

Would it be okay to take ashwagandha and holy basil if I am also taking the drug Lexapro (an SSRI)?

Holy basil has anti-depressant, mild sedative and adrenal stimulant actions. There is a potential for increased sedation when taken with antidepressant drugs.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is anti-inflammatory and a tonic herb for the nervous and reproductive systems. It is often referred to as the Indian Ginseng, having similar qualities of improving immunity and energy. I do not know of any reason why this would interfere with an SSRI (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor) antidepressant drug.

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