Depression Herbs - A Helping Hand

Depression herbs are often turned to as an alternative to medical antidepressants and tranquilizers, where people are concerned about the side effects of pharmaceutical products.

In mild cases of depression, this is a potentially beneficial approach. In more severe cases of depression, however, its best to get medical treatment.

Its important to emphasize that whilst they may be helpful, they do not treat the root cause of depression. So whether you're taking prozac or st john's wort, its important to explore what's causing the distress or feelings of being out of balance, and treat the cause as well.

St Johns Wort is the most popular, readily available, and effective of the depression herbs. It has a sedative effect as well as antidepressant properties.

It takes about 2 - 3 weeks of taking the herb to see the effects, and is usually taken over a period of several months. Like many plants, it is not as intensive as modern drugs, but that does not mean it is not effective.

There is clinical evidence (Fisher and Painter) that it is effective in treating mild to major depression. Although if psychosis is present, it is not suggested except as an adjunct to traditional pharmaceutical approaches.

St Johns Wort is a depression herb where no mental or physical side effects are known.

Other uses for St Johns Wort include colds, influenza, gastritis, peptic ulcers, diarrhoea, anxiety, sciatica, neuralgia, depression assocaited with menopause (it is specific for this), and fibrositis.

The other two depression herbs of noteworthy effectiveness are either available only by prescription (rauwolfia) or are not available generally (kava kava) because of preceived (although debated) toxicity.

Rauwolfia is an interesting herb. Also called indian snakeroot, it works on the limbic system, and reduces catecholamine levels in the brain (especially noradrenaline). When doses are at a medium level, this leads to a relaxation of the peripheral blood vessels and a lowering of blood pressure. Low doses are used for a tranquilising effect. Rauwolfia has been used to treat schizophrenics, but larger doses are needed and then unwanted side effects similar to parkinson's (like the trembling habnds etc) appear. Rauwolfia is available on prescription only because of the alkaloids that are its active constituents.

Other depression herbs include damiana, ginseng, kola, lady's slipper, lavendar, lime blossom, oats, rosemary, skullcap, valerian and vervain.

A tea that can be made for depression with debility is:

• 2 parts kola
• 1 part damiana
• 1 part lavendar
• 1 part oats
• 1 part rosemary

Make an infusion and drink three times a day

For depression with no debility

• 1 part kola
• 1 part lime blossom
• 1 part skullcap

You can add valerian if you want a stronger effect. If this combination of depression herbs is not alleviating symptoms, try another combination. An effect from the teas should be felt over 2 - 3 days.

Check out the free supplement advisor for more depression herbs.