More and more of my clients are searching for natural remedies for depression and herbal remedies for depression seem to be at the top of their list. It is becoming more popular than taking depression medications. Herbs can be helpful in combating your depression symptoms. However, there are several things to consider before taking herbal remedies for depression.
Herbs are most effective on mild to moderate cases of depression.
So, if you're depression is more serious, using herbs for depression may not be the answer.
Herbs are not regulated by the FDA
Herbs are considered to be dietary supplements. Therefore, hrebal remedies for depression are not regulated by or held to FDA standards. As a result, manufactures are not required to adhere to any standards, prove that they work, or publish any safety data such as potential risks and side effects, which can be quite serious. So, be cautious when chosing an herbal remedy.
Herbs and drugs do not mix!
Antidepressants - Taking herbal remedies with another antidepressant will not make you feel twice as good. Instead it will bring double trouble! The combination of the two causes a "serotonin syndrome". Instead of feeling better, your serononin levels are completely out of whack causing side effects such as confusion, hot/sweaty, muscle spasms, seizures, and back headaches. So, do not take an herbal supplement with other antidepressant medications.
Supplements - Unfortunately, it doesn't stop there. Herbal supplements can also diminish the effectiveness of other medications by up to 50%. This includes, but is not limited to, medications such as antibiotics, anti-psychotics, cholesterol lowering drugs, birth control pills, sedatives, asthma drugs, and heart medications.
So, please consult your physician before mixing herbs with medications.
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Herbal Remedies for Depression
St. John's Wort - while a very popular supplement for treating depression, it may not be the miracle everyone thinks it is. And, studies have shown that it only works for mild to moderate cases, not severe cases.
There have been many studies showing that this weed helps with depression, there have been other research studies done that show that it may not be as effective as we once hoped.
A Vanderbilt study included 200 people in the U.S., giving 1/2 St. John's and the other 1/2 a placebo. They studied the participants for 8 weeks and 25% of those who took St. John's had shown improvement, while 19% improved taking the placebo. Not a significant difference. However, what it does say is that taking St. John's is probably better than doing nothing at all.
However, its important to note that the FDA has issued a warning stating that there are significant risks when taken with a huge list of prescription drugs So, if you choose to go this route, consult your physician beforehand.
Ginko Biloba- Made from the leaves of the Maidenhari tree, and is now one of the top selling herbs in the U.S. Studies have found it to be effective in helping with memory loss, improving concentration, improving physical performance and reducing depression and anxiety symptoms. However, it is important to note that the studies are not conclusive and more research needs to be done.
SAMe or S-Adenosylmethionine- This is a chemical that resides in every cell of our body. Its main job is to improve the quality of other cells including neurotransmitters. There have been some small studies done that have shown SAMe's to help with depression. However, a lot more research is needed. Also, this is very expensive and more difficult to find.
Ginseng- There are 3 different types of Ginseng plants, Chinese, American and Siberian and all of them are believed to have certain medicinal benefits. Specifically, it is known to help balance the neurotransmitters, boost the immune system, and improve concentratio and energy levels. This leads people to thinking that it helps with depression. Although, there aren't any significant studies proving this.
There are several other herbal remedies for depression and I will continue to expand on this section. However, before looking at herbal remedies for depression, I refer you back to the warnings at the top of this page. Most herbs seem to have such a small benefit for depression and the side effects can be significant so they may not really be a good option.
In addition to herbs, there are many other natural remedies for depression.
