"I find that, after I have taken Kava Kava, I feel calmer, and I also have a much better sleep."

Where should you start if you are looking for a herbal remedy to treat depression. What is a good herbal remedy for insomnia? What are the side-effects? Is it safe to treat children with herbs? How should you take the herbs? How do you find a good herbalist?

Making Sense of Herbal Remedies, published by Mind, answers all these questions, and offers a wealth of further useful information on Western herbal medicine.

Herbal remedies can be used very effectively to promote good mental health. Scientific research on the herbs St John’s Wort, kava kava, valerian and gingko has confirmed good results in treating, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and memory problems.

Other herbs traditionally used for mental health include passionflower, chamomile, lemon balm, reishi. Memory problems have often been treated with sage, hyperzine and peony.

Scientific research has also provided much more information about side-effects such as stomach upsets and headaches associated with the use of herbs such as St John’s Wort. Just because something is ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it is automatically ‘safe’.

However, herbal remedies have been used safely for a long time, and in comparison with the majority of pharmaceuticals, herbs are generally well tolerated.

But a particular herb that works for one person may not work for another person – people sometimes have to try several before finding one that works.

It is also important to recognise that herbs don’t have a specific and limited purpose in the same way that conventional medicines do. This is why herbal medicine tends to work best when a person’s needs are identified and addressed by herbs prescribed specifically for him or her at the time.

Making Sense of Herbal Remedies is available from Mind Publications, 15-19 Broadway, London E15 4BQ, priced £3 plus 40p post and packing, or £3 and an A5 40p SAE. Tel 020 8221 9666