Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Indian snakeroot (Rauwolfia serpentina) has primarily traditional use in the management of mental health conditions, including depression. In the Ayurvedic medical system of India, the root has been used for centuries as a sedative, tranquilizer, and to treat a range of psychiatric disorders, particularly insomnia, anxiety, and some forms of "mania." The plant contains several alkaloids, most notably reserpine, which became the basis for some of the earliest scientific investigations into psychiatric medications in the 20th century. However, while reserpine was shown to deplete monoamines (such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine) and was used to treat hypertension and psychosis, its use led, in some cases, to the development of depressive symptoms as a side effect. As a result, reserpine is not considered an antidepressant, and there is little to no scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of Indian snakeroot or reserpine for treating depression—rather, the opposite is true. The traditional use of the plant for various mental health conditions is well documented, but scientific validation for its use specifically in depression is lacking, and its known pharmacology suggests it may worsen, rather than alleviate, depressive symptoms.

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