Depression, as we understand, is a medical condition characterized by feelings of unhappiness or hopelessness affecting a large number of people in all parts of the world. Worse still, depression could lead to some grave consequences in one’s life, sometimes even culminating in suicide.
Depression can cause suicidal tendencies, adverse effect on physical health, heart ailments, harmful impact on kids, marriage and work, substance abuse, obesity, cancer, female infertility, headache, mood fluctuations, delusion, sleep disturbance, and constipation. While mild depression often goes away without needing any treatment, the severe ones need treatment. Apart from medication and counseling, there are some herbal remedies for depression as well.
Herbal remedies for depression open up a new option that should be welcomed as causes of depression are many and varied. Depression can be mild to moderate to severe, and just a few treatment options for all of them should not be the best idea. That is where herbal remedies for depression step in, offering additional options for physiological treatment of depression.
Herbs for depression like St. John's Wort, SAMe, 5HTP, Ginkgo Biloba, Valerian root, Ginseng, and Damiana have been found to be effective in varying degrees in providing relief from depression by influencing different types of specific biochemical processes. Some herbs for depression are capable of restoring lost brain chemicals or cell enzymes, while others can successfully increase the levels of certain specific hormones. More importantly, herbal remedies for depression are easily available and provide quick relief without any significant side effects. Moreover, herbal remedies for depression can be customized (if required) to suit one’s condition and body-type.
If a patient prefers to use herbs for depression, St. John’s wort, an unassuming plant with little yellow flowers may perhaps be the best choice. According to a number of studies, St. John's wort is as useful as trycyclic antidepressants with fewer side effects to boot. St. John’s wort acts as an antibiotic and anti-viral agent.
Side effects caused by St. John’s wort include gastrointestinal disorders, fatigue, and oversensitivity to sunrays. As a precautionary measure, it should not be used simultaneously with other antidepressants or with certain medications that include indinivir, oral contraceptives, theophylline, warfarin, digoxin, reserpine, cyclosporine, and loperamide.
5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan is another useful depression relieving herb that can be used for treatment. It is a natural amino acid extracted from the Griffonia simplicifolia plant. Usually, doses of 150-300 mg are to be taken everyday for best results. If used in combination with St. John’s wort, a daily dose of 25-100 mg of 5-HTP may be adequate. After getting converted into serotonin, 5-HTP attacks symptoms that arise because of low serotonin levels such as feeling down, and sleep disturbance. Griffonia simplicifolia can suppress appetite, and fights against obesity as well.
SAMe, or S-Adenosyl Methionine is also an amino acid that maintains neurotransmitter processes in the brain in a healthy state. Depression is often caused by lack of adequate quantities of serotonin, dopamine, and phosphatides as well as weak receptor site binding. SAMe can quickly raise these levels and strengthen receptor site binding causing little or no side effects in the process. It is useful for treating arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia and liver problems as well.
Many clinical studies have revealed that people suffering from depression do not have adequate quantities of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood. It was observed that the severity of depression increased as the level of EPA, a basic component of fish oil, got lower. The use of fish oil proved effective in a number of trials conducted on patients with depression. According to studies, fish oil successfully reduced the suicidal tendencies among patients suffering from depression.
Ginkgo Biloba is a strong antidepressant that increases blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body. This, in turn, boosts memory, promotes cardiovascular health, corrects erectile dysfunction caused by arterial insufficiency, and alleviates symptoms of Alzheimer's patients.
Ginseng is available in various forms, and is usually called adaptogen, a substance that helps the body to adapt to external physical stresses. Such stresses may be one or more of these types - exposure to extreme heat/cold, biological hazards, trauma, illness, or lack of sleep. Ginseng has been known for stimulating the immune system and regulating blood sugar levels. So it may help diabetics also.
Valerian root or Valerian officinalis may improve symptoms of sleeplessness linked with depression, while Damiana or Turnera diffusa may be used for treatment of sexual dysfunction that are caused by a number of antidepressant medicines
So, the most effective herbal remedies for depression are the ones that contain known ingredients in proper doses and potencies. Herbal remedies for depression are an inexpensive treatment option with fewer side effects. That’s why an increasing number of people are now showing interest in using herbs for depression.
