Disclaimer: This article is researched with information from credible medical professionals, publications, or institutions. It is for educational purposes only and should not be used to self-diagnose or treat bipolar disorder. If you believe you may be struggling with this condition, please consult a qualified medical professional.
What’s up, bipolar fam? I hope you’re holding it down and taking care of yourselves. Here’s another article as today marks the first of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.
Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s close to many of our hearts: holistic healing and bipolar disorder. You might be wondering, Can alternative treatments really help? Well, I’m not a doctor—but I know someone who is. Yep, you guessed it. Let’s tap in with Dr. Wes Burgess, the author behind The Bipolar Handbook: Real-Life Questions with Up-to-Date Answers. This man stays dropping gems.
Now, before we go any further, let’s keep it real—this book was published back in 2006. That means you’ll want to do your own updated research and, of course, always consult a board-certified medical professional. But for the purpose of this article, we’re gonna explore some of Dr. Burgess’ insights because they still hold weight.
If you caught my previous article, The Importance of Sleep & How to Improve Your Sleep Cycle, you know I mentioned All A Dream tea. It’s a calming blend created by the founders of Brooklyn Tea—Jamila McGill and Alfonso “Ali” Wright. The tea includes natural herbs like ashwagandha, kava, and more. While it helps me unwind and improve my sleep hygiene, let’s be clear—it doesn’t treat bipolar disorder, nor is it marketed that way. It just helps me get some quality rest, and I’m here for it.
Back to Dr. Burgess. He makes it plain: bipolar disorder and its symptoms cannot be cured by vitamins and supplements alone. However, if you’re considering a more natural route, it’s you and your doctor’s responsibility to thoroughly research which herbs or supplements might support your wellness. That, my friends, is the heart of a holistic approach.
According to WebMD contributor Herdy Marks, holistic medicine is a form of healing that considers the whole person—mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Techniques include everything from diet and exercise to psychotherapy, acupuncture, and yes, Western medications and procedures. These are all things we’ve talked about here at Ebony Emotions. Marks also emphasizes—just like Burgess—that holistic care is meant to complement, not replace, traditional medical treatment (Marks, 2023).
And here’s a pro tip from Dr. B himself: don’t rely solely on Google when researching holistic options. He recommends using the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database—a vetted source for looking up both brand and scientific names of natural products. But heads up: that subscription runs about $182/year. Your sis is skipping that for now—so maybe ask your doctor if they already have access.
