Medicinal use of herbs to treat depression and manage stress is common practice in alternative and complementary medicine. Such uses are derived from folklore where herbs, such as St. John's Wort, were used for their anti-depressant capabilities, and often used to calm the nerves and reduce anxiety. Herbs can be ingested by preparing teas and liquid extracts, or taking capsules of powdered herbs. The "Health State" magazine article "Herbs, The Roots of Medicine" maintains that herbs are indeed the roots of all modern medicine.
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort is a virtually side effect free herbal treatment for mild depression. Due to the herb's active compound hypericin, it has been used for thousands of years to treat similar symptoms and a host of others including general nerve disorders. Vanderbilt University reports that in Germany, St. John's Wort is prescribed nearly seven to one over Prozac due to its natural effectiveness.
Lavender
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that lavender essential oil can be used to treat anxiety and stress. Also possessing antibacterial and antiviral properties, lavender oil is sometimes used in integrative medicine such as massage. Massage with lavender essential oil can manage your stress by stabilizing your mood, improving your concentration, and reducing your anxiety. The University also suggests the aroma therapeutic use of lavender to relax the activity of the nervous system, improve sleep quality and promote relaxation, all of which help to manage stress.
Ginseng
Ginseng is an adaptogenic, which means that it helps you handle and mitigate the effects of stress reactions. The extracts found in ginseng stimulate brain activity and cause a more efficient use of your body's energy, which results in more effective output of productivity. The University of Michigan reveals that ginseng contains compounds called ginsenosides which have been shown to diminish stress and benefit mental and physical performance. All of such findings effectively serve the treatment of stress and depression.
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