Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The use of complementary and alternative medicine has gained traction in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This trial investigates the efficacy of an herbal combination of Echium amoenum L. and Rheum ribes in reducing OCD symptoms. METHODS: In this triple-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, 40 participants were assigned to either the intervention group, receiving a daily dose of 30 mL of the herbal syrup, or a control group receiving a placebo. OCD severity was measured using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) at baseline, and at 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Side effects were monitored based on a preestablished checklist. Data were analyzed using SPSS v 16. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups in age (p = 0.214) and sex (p = 1.00). The change in OCD scores between times significantly differed in the intervention group (p = 0.037). However, the OCD score did not change significantly during the time in the control group (p = 0.932). Moreover, there was no significant difference between the two groups at each time. However, the trend of changes during the trial was significant between the groups (p < 0.001). Additionally, no adverse effects were reported among participants consuming the herbal syrup. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that Echium amoenum L. and Rheum ribes can effectively decrease OCD severity without adverse effects, suggesting their potential as a safe treatment option. Future research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is warranted to confirm these findings and explore the mechanisms of action. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry for Clinical Trials (registration number: IRCT20200712048088N1).