The Best Well-Kept Secret Herbs to Cure Depression

Depression is one of the most common psychological afflictions worldwide leading many psychologists and psychiatrists to refer to it as "the common cold" of mental health issues. The causes of depression are not only many but also confusing as they frequently influence each other to such a degree that separating them from each other is difficult. For any clinical or holistic alternative treatment of depression, the issue is one of treating serotonin and norepinephrine levels.

St. John's Wort

• Arguably the most popular herbal remedy for depression is St. John's Wort, or more specifically, St. John's Wort extract, which is available in most health food stores and in the health food sections of some supermarkets. Holistic Online states that the daily recommended dosage for St. John's Wort as an antidepressant is three daily doses of 300 mg each. St. John's Wort extract is only effective if it contains between 3 percent and 5 percent hyperforin, according to BioNeurix, a manufacturer of homeopathic depression and anxiety treatments. St. John's Wort takes at least two to three weeks to have a noticeable effect.

SAM-e

• Another natural treatment for depression is SAM-e, which is the short term for S-adenosyl-L-methionine. While SAM-e works more quickly than St. John's Wort there isn't as much conclusive evidence that suggests SAM-e has a long-term positive effect on treating depression. It is more expensive than St. John's Wort, with a monthly supply sometimes costing more than $100.

5-HTP

• 5-HTP, more popularly known as tryptophan, has also been cited as a natural serotonin level enhancer. Like St. John's Wort, tryptophan takes a few weeks to have an effect, but is very effective and becomes an excellent treatment for depression when taken in tandem with St. John's Wort extract.

  Additional herbs which may help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression to a lesser degree are ginseng, ginkgo and B vitamins.