Several medicinal herbs can act as safe, complementary treatments to people suffering from mild to moderate depression. In some cases, medicinal herbs may offer better symptom control with fewer side effects than their pharmaceutical counterparts. Because depression can be severe or life-threatening, it requires expert evaluation and treatment. If you believe you are depressed, contact a qualified health care professional for an evaluation. A combination of therapy, dietary supplements, exercise and other interventions may provide you with much-needed relief.
St. John's Wort
Perhaps the most famous of herbal antidepressants, St. John's Wort can ease symptoms of mild depression with few side effects. The U.S. National Institutes of Health note that St. John's Wort outperforms tricyclic antidepressants and works as well as serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for treating mild depression. However, it is not effective as a treatment for severe depression.
Ginseng
American or Asian ginseng can support any depression treatment program. While no studies have investigated ginseng's efficacy as a sole treatment for depression, it may help to prevent mood swings, anxiety episodes and fatigue associated with the condition. The National Institutes of Health note ginseng's long-standing reputation as an adaptogen; practitioners believe that it enables the body to adapt to stress with fewer disruptions in sleep, mood or appetite.
Kava
The National Institutes of Health report that kava rivals prescription drugs like buspirone (Buspar) and diazepam (Valium) as a treatment for anxiety. Preliminary evidence also suggests that kava may treat insomnia and stress-related mood swings. Kava may help to curb anxiety symptoms related to depression; however, large doses may cause drowsiness or apathy. Do not take kava if you have any form of liver disease or drink alcohol regularly.
Kanna
This South African herb has not been extensively researched by Western scientists, but preliminary studies have supported its traditional reputation as an antidepressant. A 1996 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology identified several compounds that may be responsible for kanna's antidepressant effects. One of these compounds, mesembrine, may act as an SSRI. Do not take kanna if you are taking Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft or any other prescription antidepressant.
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