Herbal and Natural Remedies

The good news is that many depression sufferers are able to significantly reduce or eliminate symptoms through natural and more cost effective means. Having several different avenues for treatment is important since the causes of depression are wide and varied. Ranging from simple changes in one's life to more serious brain chemical imbalances, treatment for depression can not take a "one size fits all" type of approach. Lifestyle changes and stress-management techniques can address environmental causes of depression, whereas herbal and natural remedies offer more options for physiological treatment of depression symptoms. Herbal and natural remedies such as St. John's Wort, SAMe, 5HTP, Ginkgo Biloba, and Ginseng provide depression relief uniquely by influencing various specific biochemical processes. Some remedies replenish missing brain chemicals or cell enzymes, whereas others increase certain hormone levels. What's more, herbal and natural products are easily accessible and provide fast relief with little or no side effects. By addressing specific causes and deficiencies, depression treatment can be easily tailored to fit the individual's needs. Ultimately, depression sufferers have several effective treatment options readily available through herbal and natural depression remedies.

To learn more about these herbal and natural remedies:

This unassuming plant with little yellow flowers is probably the best known of all herbal remedies for depression.  Clinically used in Germany for over 40 years, St. John's Wort has been proven to be a successful antidepressant as well as antibiotic and anti-viral agent.  Be sure to read about the drug interactions of this powerful herb!  To learn more, click here.

SAMe, SAM-e, or S-Adenosyl Methionine is an essential amino acid required to maintain healthy neurotransmitter processes in the brain.  People suffering from depression often have deficient quantities of  seratonin, dopamine, and phosphatides and poor receptor site binding.  SAMe works fast to increase these levels and improve receptor site binding with little or no side effects.  People suffering from arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia and liver disorders have also reported significant relief from SAMe.  To learn more, click here

5HTP is an amino acid that is converted to seratonin, a strong neurotransmitter in the brain.  It specifically targets symptoms caused by low seratonin levels such as feeling down, changes in sleep patterns, fibromyalgia and migraine pain.  5HTP has also been successful as a weight loss aid by suppressing the appetite.  To learn more, click here.

Several clinical studies have shown that those with depression do indeed have lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood. One of the studies showed that the lower the level of EPA, the more severe the clinical depression. In addition, a recent study showed that the patients with depression have 35 percent less DHA in fat storage cells versus healthy controls.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that lasted 4 weeks evaluated the benefits of fish oil in 20 people with depression.(Nemets & Belmaker – American Journal of Psychiatry).  Nineteen of the participants were also taking standard antidepressants. By the third week of the trial, depression had improved significantly in the fish oil group than in placebo group.  (Nemets B, Stahl Z, Belmaker RH. Addition of omega-3 fatty acid to maintenance medication treatment for recurrent unipolar depressive disorder.

Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Archive of General Psychiatry (Peet & Horrobin) showed that one of the primary component of fish oil, EPA, improved the depression of 70 people who did not respond well to depression drug treatments.  (Peet M, Horrobin DF. A dose-ranging study of the effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate in patients with ongoing depression despite apparently adequate treatment with standard drugs.  Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002;59:913-919.)

Fish oil supplementation reduced the suicidal tendencies and improved the well being when 40 people were given fish oil or placebo for 12 weeks (Hallahan, Hibbeln, Davis – British Journal of Psychiatry).  (Hallahan B, Hibbeln JR, Davis JM, et al. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with recurrent self-harm: single-centre double-blind randomized controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry. 2007;190:118-122.) Am J Psychiatry. 2002;159:477-479.)

Another double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Archive of General Psychiatry (Peet & Horrobin) showed that one of the primary component of fish oil, EPA, improved the depression of 70 people who did not respond well to depression drug treatments. (Peet M, Horrobin DF. A dose-ranging study of the effects of ethyl-eicosapentaenoate in patients with ongoing depression despite apparently adequate treatment with standard drugs. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2002;59:913-919.)

Fish oil supplementation reduced the suicidal tendencies and improved the well being when 40 people were given fish oil or placebo for 12 weeks (Hallahan, Hibbeln, Davis – British Journal of Psychiatry). (Hallahan B, Hibbeln JR, Davis JM, et al. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with recurrent self-harm: single-centre double-blind randomized controlled trial. Br J Psychiatry. 2007;190:118-122.)

Ginkgo Biloba is a powerful antidepressant and antioxidant that increases blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body.   This improved blood circulation increases memory, promotes cardiovascular health, corrects impotency caused by arterial insufficiency and alleviates symptoms of Alzheimer's patients.  Asthma sufferers may also benefit due to its high flavonoid content. To learn more, click here

Ginseng in its various varieties is referred to as an adaptogen, a substance that assists the body to adapt to external physical stresses such as exposure to extreme heat / cold, biological hazards, trauma, illness or lack of sleep.  Ginseng is believed to stimulate the immune system, enhance abstract thinking and improve aerobic capacity.  By regulating blood sugar levels, Ginseng may also benefit people with diabetes.  To learn more, click here