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Herbs for Depression

Millions of people suffer from depression in the United States. While therapy and prescription antidepressants work for a great deal of sufferers, it isn't the best way to treat depression for all patients. Many choose to go the way of homeopathic treatment, using herbal recipes and supplements to fix their chemical imbalances and better their mood. There are a number of herbs and supplements that can help ease the symptoms and causes of depression. These supplements can be found in any drugstore or health-food store.

  1. Proven Herbal Supplements

    • There are a number of herbal supplements on the market that have been scientifically proven to help those afflicted with depression. The first is St. John's wort, which contains standardized hyperforin to help with the chemical imbalance that causes depression. In clinical trials, St. John's wort performed as well as Paxil and Prozac. If you want to treat your depression with an herbal supplement, a 600-mg to 900-mg daily dosage of high quality St. John's wort with standardized hyperforin should be your first choice. The results may take a few weeks. If you are looking for more rapid relief, you may want to try SAM-e (S-adenosyl-L-methionine). When taken in 800-mg to 1,600-mg dosages daily, users report an improvement in their condition in days. It's the most expensive of the herbal treatments, costing more than $100 a month. A final scientifically proven method of herbal treatment is 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), an amino acid that helps the body to increase serotonin levels, which helps to alter mood. Patients report results in a couple of weeks after taking a 50-mg to 300-mg daily dosage.

    Other Herbs

    • Depression is caused by low serotonin levels in the brain, so any supplement that will increase serotonin levels may be of benefit. Ginseng and ginkgo are popular among the elderly for treating depression, while B vitamins have also become popular in treating depression. Licorice has also been just as popular as St. John's wort in treating depression over the years. Licorice extract is filled with MAO inhibitors that act as antidepressants. Ginger and basil have also been used as herbal treatments.

    Diet

    • Good nutrition can be the perfect complement to your herbal treatment. Eating food high in omega-3 fatty acids is great for treating depression. Depression has been linked to low omega-3 fatty acids levels in the body. Countries with higher fish consumption, such as Japan and Taiwan, have depression rates 10 times lower than in North America. Studies show that that omega-3s increase the effectiveness of prescription antidepressants. You can increase you omega-3 intake by eating coldwater fish like salmon, sardines and anchovies. You can also take fish oil capsules, which can be found in any health store. The folic acid in leafy green vegetables also increases the effectiveness of antidepressants. If you cannot eat enough veggies, take a B-complex vitamin.

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