Herbal remedies for OCD, including St. John’s Wort, milk thistle, and kava, are popular natural options for people looking to support their treatment.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition marked by intrusive, distressing thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviors or mental rituals (compulsions) performed to relieve that distress. Exposure and response prevention (ERP) therapy and SSRIs remain the best-supported treatments, so the remedies below are best viewed as possible complements to professional care, not replacements for it.
Below, we break down what the evidence says about each one and the risks to know about before you try it, since some herbs can interact with common medications.
Key Highlights
- Natural options show promise – St. John’s Wort, milk thistle, NAC, and omega-3s have early research suggesting they may help ease OCD symptoms, while kava and magnesium are better studied for the anxiety that often comes with it.
- They can be a helpful addition to your routine – Many people use herbal remedies and supplements alongside ERP therapy or medication as an extra layer of support for their overall well-being.
- A quick check-in with your doctor makes them work better for you – Some remedies, like St. John’s Wort and kava, can interact with medications or affect the liver, so a conversation with your doctor helps you choose what’s right for you.
Table of Contents
Best Herbal Remedies for OCD
Since traditional treatment isn’t always efficient, many turn to herbal remedies for OCD. If you’re new to holistic medicine, it can be difficult to know where to start. We’ve compiled a list of the best supplements for OCD to help you find exactly what you need:
1. St. John’s Wort
Even though St. John’s Wort is typically used for depression, many European countries have implemented it for anxiety and mood disorders. Studies have found that hypericum, the key ingredient in St. John’s Wort, disrupts the serotonin system. While more research is still necessary, some scientists say that disrupting serotonin is important in treating OCD symptoms. ¹
In a 2014 study, 12 people with OCD were given St. John’s Wort as a substitute for OCD medication. ² This reduced symptoms and had just as much of an effect as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Unfortunately, this study didn’t compare its results with a placebo. Therefore, the research is inconclusive.
Furthermore, one study with a controlled placebo saw no reduction in OCD symptoms when patients were given St. John’s Wort. With that, it’s difficult to tell how effective this herbal remedy is.
2. N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is an amino acid that weakens glutamine and creates glutathione, a vital antioxidant. Due to this, some researchers believe it may help in the treatment of OCD.
As of this time, only one study on a single individual found that NAC improved the efforts of a standard OCD medication, SSR Luvox (fluvoxamine). ³ However, NAC has shown a lot of promise with other mental disorders, including depression. ⁴
3. Milk Thistle
If you’ve used Prozac (fluoxetine) for OCD and are interested in a natural remedy, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) may be an option. While there’s only one significant study, it found that a 600mg dose of milk thistle was just as effective at treating OCD as 30mg of Prozac. The study notes that you must take the substance daily to garner the most effects. ⁵
4. Kava Kava
Several studies have found that Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) is effective in anxiety treatment. It can: ⁶
- Ease mild forms of depression
- Reduce restlessness
- Relieve nerve tension
With such versatility, some scientists believe it may also help in the treatment of OCD. Kavalactone, the key component of Kava, can act as a serotonin stimulator and a gamma amino butyric acid (GAMA) promoter. These features allow it to calm the body and potentially ease symptoms of OCD.
Admittedly, Kava can cause liver problems in certain individuals. ⁷ For this reason, you’ll only want to use Kava when your OCD symptoms are at their worst.
5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
One of the reasons we experience mental illness is because our bodies lack essential vitamins and minerals. Many scientists believe that supplements of these vitamins give our brain and body the chance to overcome these conditions.
Perhaps one of the most important missing ingredients is omega-3. This essential fatty acid is mostly found in fish and is a key ingredient in regulating several aspects of our health. Researchers have noted that most people with varying mental health issues usually lack the recommended amount of omega-3 in their diet. ⁸
While there’s currently no research looking into omega-3 deficiency and OCD, some studies suggest it can help with various anxiety disorders. ⁹
6. Magnesium
Similar to omega-3s, people with anxiety and stress often lack magnesium. In fact, low levels of magnesium may also lead to fatigue, insomnia, depression, and headaches or muscle pain. Magnesium is an essential mineral that binds itself to calming receptors. It also regulates certain stress hormones, such as cortisol. ¹⁰
While there are no studies linking low magnesium levels with OCD, there are a number that have found it to be a factor of anxiety. Since OCD is a type of anxiety, some scientists say magnesium can help here as well. ¹¹ Most mental health professionals suggest you take between 400mg and 1200mg.
Final Word
Herbal remedies for OCD are a great option for those who haven’t found success in traditional treatment. However, it can also benefit those looking for another fighting agent in their battle with this condition. While these remedies have not been approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), many self-reports claim they may help.
Still, you should consult your doctor before taking any of these herbal remedies. Since studies are lacking and we don’t know all the drug interactions, some of these supplements may cause further health complications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can OCD be cured naturally?
There is no known cure for OCD, natural or otherwise, but symptoms can be managed. ERP therapy and SSRIs have the strongest evidence. Herbal remedies and supplements may offer extra support, but they haven’t been shown to replace professional treatment.
Does CBD help with OCD?
The research is still very limited. A few small, early studies suggest cannabidiol (CBD) may reduce anxiety, but there isn’t enough evidence yet to say it helps OCD specifically. Talk to your doctor first, as CBD can interact with some medications.
Can you take herbal remedies with OCD medication?
Not always. St. John’s Wort, for example, can interact with SSRIs and may cause serotonin syndrome. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining any herb or supplement with prescribed OCD medication.
Does exercise help OCD symptoms?
It may. Some studies suggest regular aerobic exercise can reduce OCD symptoms and anxiety, though it isn’t a stand-alone treatment. Many people pair exercise with therapy, mindfulness, and good sleep habits as part of a broader routine.
How long do natural remedies for OCD take to work?
There’s no established timeline. Most studies on herbs and supplements for OCD run roughly 8 to 12 weeks, and results vary from person to person. Check in with your doctor if symptoms don’t improve or get worse.
References
¹ Taylor LH, Kobak KA. An open-label trial of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in obsessive-compulsive disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 2000 Aug;61(8):575-8. doi: 10.4088/jcp.v61n0806. PMID: 10982200.
² Baek JH, Nierenberg AA, Kinrys G. Clinical applications of herbal medicines for anxiety and insomnia; targeting patients with bipolar disorder. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2014 Aug;48(8):705-15. doi: 10.1177/0004867414539198. Epub 2014 Jun 19. PMID: 24947278.
³ Camfield DA, Sarris J, Berk M. Nutraceuticals in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): a review of mechanistic and clinical evidence. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2011 Jun 1;35(4):887-95. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2011.02.011. Epub 2011 Feb 23. PMID: 21352883.
⁴ Dean O, Giorlando F, Berk M. N-acetylcysteine in psychiatry: current therapeutic evidence and potential mechanisms of action. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2011 Mar;36(2):78-86. doi: 10.1503/jpn.100057. PMID: 21118657; PMCID: PMC3044191.
⁵ Sayyah M, Boostani H, Pakseresht S, Malayeri A. Comparison of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. with fluoxetine in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2010 Mar 17;34(2):362-5. doi: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2009.12.016. Epub 2009 Dec 24. PMID: 20035818.
⁶ Savage KM, Stough CK, Byrne GJ, Scholey A, Bousman C, Murphy J, Macdonald P, Suo C, Hughes M, Thomas S, Teschke R, Xing C, Sarris J. Kava for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder (K-GAD): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Trials. 2015 Nov 2;16:493. doi: 10.1186/s13063-015-0986-5. PMID: 26527536; PMCID: PMC4630875.
⁷ Teschke R. Kava hepatotoxicity: pathogenetic aspects and prospective considerations. Liver Int. 2010 Oct;30(9):1270-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2010.02308.x. PMID: 20630022.
⁸ Ross BM, Seguin J, Sieswerda LE. Omega-3 fatty acids as treatments for mental illness: which disorder and which fatty acid? Lipids Health Dis. 2007 Sep 18;6:21. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-6-21. PMID: 17877810; PMCID: PMC2071911.
⁹ Su KP, Tseng PT, Lin PY, Okubo R, Chen TY, Chen YW, Matsuoka YJ. Association of Use of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Changes in Severity of Anxiety Symptoms: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2018 Sep 7;1(5):e182327. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.2327. PMID: 30646157; PMCID: PMC6324500.
¹⁰ Boyle NB, Lawton C, Dye L. The Effects of Magnesium Supplementation on Subjective Anxiety and Stress-A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2017 Apr 26;9(5):429. doi: 10.3390/nu9050429. PMID: 28445426; PMCID: PMC5452159.
¹¹ Kuygun Karcı C, Gül Celik G. Nutritional and herbal supplements in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. Gen Psychiatr. 2020 Mar 11;33(2):e100159. doi: 10.1136/gpsych-2019-100159. PMID: 32215361; PMCID: PMC7066598.
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