Using Herbs for Depression

Before talking about herbs for depression let’s talk about some important aspects of this condition. Depression is one of the most common psychological illnesses in our society. It is estimated that depression affects about 16% of the American population. Many people confuse depression with feeling down, or having a case of the "blues". But, it’s important to understand that depression is far more than feeling down; it is an illness caused by imbalances in brain chemicals. Depression happens more often to women than men, and is also common among teens and the elderly. The good news is that herbs for depression can help people of all ages.

For those who are prone to feelings of sadness and depression, there are some ways to prevent the onset of depression. First, it’s important to live a healthy life. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and lean protein. Get regular exercise and avoid toxins like nicotine and too much alcohol.

Depression can manifest itself differently in every person, but there are some common symptoms.

Symptoms of Depression

Feelings of sadness

Difficulty accomplishing regular tasks

Trouble sleeping

Change in eating habits and a gain or loss of weight

Feeling of exhaustion even after a regular night of sleep

Feeling hopeless and as though your life isn’t worth living

Disinterest in regular activities and social engagements

Trouble focusing and thinking clearly

If you find yourself experiencing the symptoms above, it’s important to see your doctor. Left unchecked, depression can lead to additional psychological and physical problems, and even suicide. Depression is a scary illness, but it’s also highly treatable.

Treatment Options

When people are diagnosed with depression they are typically treated through one of two methods: psychiatric counseling or anti-depressant medications. In many cases, patients have a combination of both treatments.

But for those who are concerned with taking drugs to combat their depression, there are alternatives. For years, people have used herbs for depression. If you’ve been diagnosed with this condition, you might want to try using herbs to treat it (if your case allows it) before you resort to drug therapy.

Herbs to Treat Depression

St. John’s Wort. St. John’s Wort has been used for centuries to relieve depression and feelings of sadness. In fact, some studies have shown that St. John’s Wort is a more powerful antidepressant than some drugs. And, even better; it has far fewer side effects than prescription medications. It can also help relieve the fatigue that often accompanies depression.

In addition to being a mood elevator, St. John’s Wort also can improve your quality of sleep. Since trouble sleeping is often one of the most serious symptoms of depression, St. John’s Wort can provide help on several fronts.

St. John’s Wort has few side effects, but there are a few things to keep in mind before you begin treatment with this herb. The first is that St. John’s Wort is not safe for women who are pregnant. In addition, it can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so it’s important to avoid overexposure to the sun while treating your depression with St. John’s Wort. Finally, it is critical that you not take St. John’s Wort while you’re taking SSRI drugs for depression, such as Prozac, Zoloft or Paxil.

Passionflower. Passionflower is another herb for treating depression. Passionflower, also known by its clinical name Passiflora, has also been used for years to elevate moods and improve sleep. It has also been widely used to treat the symptoms of PMS. Passionflower makes a great herb for depression because of the flavonoids contained in this vine that are thought to affect the benzodiazepine receptor sites in the brain. Improving benzodiazepine receptor sites is widely known to elevate mood and reduce anxiety; in fact, there are a whole group of anti-depressant drugs called benzodiazepines. They work quite well, too, but have side effects, and can be habit forming.

Passion flower seems to be a powerful herb that improves sleep and overall mood in depressed patients. It also relieves symptoms of restlessness and irritability that often accompany depression and anxiety disorders.

Herbal Supplement for Depression

If you're suffering with a depressed mood and want to learn more about how herbs for depression - and herbal formulas - can help you overcome it, click here... Be sure that you're not alone in your quest for natural and safe ways to treating depression (as you can see), and that the best of all is that many of these people are already fighting depression successfully with no side effects.

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Legal Disclaimer: The health information contained in this web site is for educational purposes only and its not meant to replace medical advice, diagnose or treat any disease. Health benefits may differ from one person to another, because each person is different. Healthcare professionals can provide disagreeing opinions on health issues including herbs for depression, consequently, each person in the end is responsible for directing their own health care.