Living with depression isn't easy, and many people look for medication-free ways to deal with their condition. If you suspect you may be depressed, see a health care professional for diagnosis and advice before you self-treat. If you've been diagnosed with depression, herbal remedies may be a useful tool in your treatment regimen.
Types
There are a few different herbs that show promise for treating symptoms of depression. One of the best researched is St. John's wort, a shrubby plant that has been used to treat nervous disorders since the days of the ancient Greeks. Other herbs sometimes recommended for use to treat depression include lavender, ginkgo and valerian, but few scientific studies have been done to confirm the purported benefits of these herbs.
Identification
Like medications, herbs contain chemicals that can affect your brain, improving symptoms of depression. St. John's wort contains several active compounds, including essential oils, flavonoids, hypericin and pseudohypericin, but researchers aren't sure which ingredient gives St. John's wort its depression-treating power. Lavender's essential oil seems to give it the power to calm symptoms of depression. Researchers think the flavonoids and terpenoids are the active ingredients ginkgo. Valerian triggers production of a chemical in the brain called gamma aminobutyric acid, which promotes feelings of calm.
Benefits
More research is needed, but in some cases St. John's wort may be just as effective as prescription antidepressants for treating some forms of depression, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. St. John's wort may also be a good choice for treating depression in people who don't respond well to medications or as an alternative to traditional medication for children who suffer from depression.
Considerations
Herbal remedies usually work best to treat mild to moderate depression or as part of a comprehensive depression treatment program, according to the Mayo Clinic. In many cases, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the best treatment, and people who rely on herbal remedies alone may not get the relief they need. In some cases, using herbal remedies like St. John's wort may increase the side effects of prescription antidepressants.
Warning
Depression is a serious problem, and herbal remedies alone may not be enough to manage it successfully. If your depression is so serious that it interferes with your everyday activities and relationships or if you think about harming yourself or other people, make an appointment with a doctor or therapist who can diagnose your depression and make treatment recommendations.
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