Herbs for Depression: Depression is a serious mood disorder with symptoms that range from mild to debilitating and potentially life-threatening. Some people look to manage depression with herbal remedies, rather than with medication a doctor prescribes.
Herbs and supplements
The use of complementary therapies continues to gain popularity, as people look for more natural methods of managing their health.
Herbs for Depression, However, herbal does not always mean safe or effective, and knowing which products to choose can save a lot of time and money.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not monitor herbs in the same way as food and drugs. As a result, manufacturers are not always 100 percent clear about the quality or purity of their product.
Herbs for Depression, Research suggests promise for some supplements in treating mild-to-moderate depression. These are some of the supplements that people most widely use:
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1. St. John’s wort
St. John’s wort is also known as Hypericum perforatum. This plant has been a common herbal mental health treatment for hundreds of years. However, people must use caution if they chose to try it as a potential treatment for depression.
A 2016 systematic reviewTrusted Source found that St. John’s wort was more effective than a placebo for treating mild to moderate depression and worked almost as well as antidepressant medications.
Herbs for Depression, However, this review of eligible studies did not find research on the long-term effects of St. John’s wort on severe depression.
The authors also advised caution against accepting the results wholesale, as the herb has adverse effects that many of the studies did not consider.
St John’s wort can also interfere with the effects of antidepressant medication, meaning that it may make symptoms worseTrusted Source or reduce the effectiveness of conventional treatment.
Herbs for Depression, While St. John’s wort might help some people, it does not show consistently beneficial effects.
For these reasons, people should not use St. John’s wort instead of conventional treatment. Neither should they try St. John’s wort to treat moderate to severe depression.
2. Ginseng
This supplement comes from the gnarled root of the American or Asian ginseng plant. Siberian, Asian, and Eleuthero ginseng are different plants with different active ingredients.
Herbs for Depression, Practitioners of Chinese medicine have used ginseng for thousands of years to help people improve mental clarity and energy and reduce the effects of stress.
Some people associate these properties of ginseng with potential solutions for the low energy and motivation that can occur with depression.
However, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) adviseTrusted Source that none of the many studies that people have conducted on ginseng have been of sufficient quality to form health recommendations.
3. Chamomile
Herbs for Depression, A study in 2012Trusted Source reviewed data about chamomile, which comes from the Matricaria recutita plant, and its role in helping to manage depression and anxiety.
The results show that chamomile produced more significant relief from depressive symptoms than a placebo. However, further studies are necessary to confirm the health benefits of chamomile in treating depressive symptoms.
4. Lavender
Lavender oil is a popular essential oil. People typically use lavender oil for relaxation and reducing anxiety and mood disturbances.
A 2013 reviewTrusted Source of various studies suggested that lavender might have significant potential in reducing anxiety and improving sleep.
Herbs for Depression, Lavender has mixed results in studies that assess its impact on anxiety. However, its effectiveness as a treatment for ongoing depression has little high-quality evidence in support at the current time.
5. SAMe
SAMe is short for S-adenosyl methionine. It is a synthetic form of a chemical that occurs naturally in the body.
In 2016, researchers reviewed all the randomized controlled trials on record for the use of SAMe to treat depression in adults. They found no significant difference between the effects of SAMe on depression symptoms and those of a placebo.
However, they also found that SAMe had about the same effectiveness as the common antidepressants imipramine or escitalopram. Furthermore, it was better than a placebo when the researchers mixed SAMe with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications.
As with many other studies into herbs and supplements, the investigations into the safety and efficacy of SAMe are of low quality. More research is necessary to determine its exact effect.
People use the supplement in Europe as a prescription antidepressant. However, the FDA have not yet approved this for use in the U.S.
6. Saffron
Some studies cite using saffron as a safe and effective measure for controlling the symptoms of depression, such as this non-systematic review from 2018Trusted Source.
Herbs for Depression, However, more research would help confirm the possible benefits of saffron for people with depression. Scientists also need to understand any possible adverse effects better.
7. 5-HTP
Also known as 5-hydroxytryptophan, this supplement may be useful in regulating and improving levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that affects a person’s mood.
5-HTP has undergone a number of animal studies, and some, such as this review from 2016Trusted Source, cite its potential as an antidepressant therapy. However, evidence of its effects in human subjects is limited.
5-HTP is available as an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement in the U.S. but may require a prescription in other countries.
More research is necessary, especially regarding concerns that it may cause serotonin syndrome, a serious neurological complication if a person takes 5-HTP in excess.
Herbs for Depression, Supplement manufacturers do not have to prove that their product is consistent. The dose on the bottle may also be inaccurate.
8. Omega-3 fatty acids
Herbs for Depression, In a 2015 systematic reviewTrusted Source, researchers concluded that omega-3 fatty acid supplements are not useful across the board as a depression treatment.
While the study authors reported no serious side effects from the supplement, they also advised that it would only be an effective measure in treatment for depression that was due to omega-3 deficiency.
Symptoms of depression
The symptoms of depression include:
- feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- frustration and irritability
- loss of interest in hobbies or activities that usually provide pleasure
- sleep issues, whether too much sleep or insomnia
- fatigue
- changes in appetite
- trouble concentrating
- thoughts of death or suicide
- physical symptoms, including headache and backache
Doctors consider that a person must experience at least 5 of these symptoms, to a disruptive extent, for at least 2 weeks to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of depression.
When to see a doctor
If a person feels any of these symptoms to the point that it interferes with daily living, they should seek help from their doctor.
Medication and therapies can help a person who is experiencing depression. People are advised not to rely on herbs or supplements as a standalone line of treatment.
Herbs for Depression, Depression typically becomes worse over time and requires treatment to avoid its more severe complications.
Anyone having thoughts about suicide or self-harm should immediately seek emergency help, either with their doctor or local hospital or by calling the Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK).
If a loved one or friend may be at risk of attempting suicide, stay with that person and call for emergency assistance immediately.
The bottom line
Herbal and natural supplements may work well for some people. However, they are not an adequate substitute for conventional treatment or for people who face a risk of suicide or self-harm.
Herbs for Depression, A person taking herbal supplements must inform their doctor, as these have the potential to cause side effects and interact with other drugs.
Depression is a treatable illness, but an individual may need to try a few different options when working out which treatment is most effective.
