Herbal medicines have a long history of use for treating people with seizure disorders. Here, some of this history as well as modern scientific research on the utility of these herbs is discussed in detail, after touching on the use of a ketogenic diet to control seizures. Nigella sativa (black cumin) and Cannabis sativa (cannabis) are discussed as two of the best documented anticonvulsant herbs. The use of the traditional Asian herbal formulas xiǎo chái hú tāng (shosaiko-tō, Minor Bupleurum Decoction), chái hú guì zhī tāng (saiko-keishi-tō, Bupleurum and Cinnamon Decoction), and shosaiko-tō-go-keishikashakuyaku-tō (Cinnamon Twig Decoction with Peony) for epilepsy is reviewed in depth. More speculatively, a range of nervine and nootropic herbs that may have use in seizure disorders, including Scutellaria lateriflora (skullcap), Lavandula angustifolia (true lavender), Passiflora incarnata (passionflower), Valeriana spp. (valerian), Ziziphus jujuba (jujube, dà zǎo), Acorus calamus (sweetflag), and Centella asiatica (gotu kola), is discussed. Drug–herb interactions with anti-seizure medications are reviewed, with a focus on silymarin, Camellia sinensis (green tea), Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort), Citrus x paradisi (grapefruit), and Piper spp. (black and long pepper).
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