Herbal Treatments for Depression
Researches have suggested that herbal remedies are equally effective as antidepressant drugs in treating depressive illness. Natural antidepressants are ideal for treating mild, moderate and severe forms of depressions. They are also found to be more effective than antidepressant drugs in certain patients.
Most of the herbal treatments concentrate on increasing hormone levels and in reinforcing the lost chemicals and cell enzymes responsible for depression. Deficiencies that lead to depression are also corrected by herbal treatments. The greatest advantage of herbal remedy is that it is devoid of side effects.
The growing interest in herbal treatment for depression has been used by vested interests to market several herbal products claiming to effective cure for depression. Since most the herbs used in treating depression contains elements found in normal drugs, precaution should be maintained in their use. Never undergo an herbal treatment without taking prior approval of the therapist.
St. John's Wort: This is perhaps the most popular herbal remedy in treating depression. An extract of that plant is used in Germany and several other countries for more than 40 years to treat mild and moderate forms of depression.
Hypericin and pseudohypericin present in St. John's Wort are known to possess antidepressive property. St. John 's Wort extract is equal in action to antidepressant drugs. Most commonly used dosage is 300 mg of the extract three times a day.
Although the extract is widely used in treating depression, there have been several allegations against the use of it from several quarters. In February 2000, The Food and Drug Administration issued a Public Health Advisory against St. John's Wort. It stated that St. John's Wort can affect an important metabolic pathway that is used by many drugs prescribed to treat conditions such as AIDS, heart disease, depression, seizures, certain cancers, and rejection of transplants. So it is wise to take the advice of a therapist before opting for an extract of St. John's Wort.
SAMe: S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAMe) is an essential amino acid, which boosts the function of neurotransmitters. Researches have found that people suffering from depression have a defect in the functioning of neurotransmitters. SAMe is used to improve the function of several important neurotransmitters. The effect of SAMe is very quick and improvements are noticed very soon. The normal dose varies between 800mg and 1600mg daily. This is also one of the costliest natural medicines for treating depression.
5-HTP: 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is another popular herbal remedy for depression. Clinical researches have proved its efficiency. 5-HTP is an amino acid and increases the level of serotonin, which is an important neurotransmitter associated with moods. Several antidepressant drugs try to improve the serotonin levels and the function of 5-HTP is quite similar. The normal daily dosage prescribe is between 50mg and 300mg. It acts quickly and is devoid of any side effects.
Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo Biloba extract improves the blood flow and is ideal for middle-aged people suffering from depression. It is mostly prescribed when the response of antidepressant drugs is poor. Ginkgo Biloba extract is highly efficient along with antidepressant drugs. The ideal dosage is 80mg three times daily.
Ginseng: Ginseng, also, known as Siberian Ginseng, improves the functioning of neurotransmitters. The extract of the plant has several medicinal properties. Its properties in boosting the immune system and assisting the body in adapting to physical stresses are helpful to depression patients. It also helps in improving physical activity. The extract is mostly helpful in elderly patients.
Kava and Ashwaganda are other two important herbal remedies for depression. Certain herbal treatments like St. John's Wort and Ginkgo are used in combination as they complement each other. Some herbal remedies are also taken along with antidepressant drugs.
Since the effect of certain natural depression treatments are still elusive, it is better to take professional advice before taking them. When you come across a new herbal remedy rather than ignoring it or jumping into conclusions, it is wise to gather information on them and educate others. This is because certain herbal remedies might provide a long-lasting cure to certain patients.
