Common Herbs Used For Depression

Depression is a chronic disorder that affects the mind and body. Neurotransmitters, hormones, trauma and heredity can all influence who gets depressed and whether the depression will be mild, moderate or severe. Symptoms include sadness, insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigue and poor concentration. Conventional treatment may involve antidepressants to increase serotonin levels, but these medications can have unpleasant side effects. Herbs have a long history of use treating depression, and they often have fewer side effects. It is important to consult a health care professional for a proper diagnosis before starting herbal therapy.

Kava

Kava (Piper methysticum) is a relaxing herb found throughout the Pacific islands and used in a beverage to calm the body without causing mental grogginess. The root contains chemicals called lactones that affect GABA, or gamma-Aminobutyric acid, one of the brain's neurotransmitters that carries messages between nerve cells. GABA regulates muscle movements and can relax muscles throughout the body. Kava also acts like many antidepressants by inhibiting monoamine oxidase, or MAO, which is an enzyme that breaks down serotonin. As a MAO-inhibitor, kava increases the amount of serotonin in the brain, thus reducing depression. Dr. Linda B. White, M.D., and Steven Foster recommend using kava capsules or tincture during the daytime to alleviate symptoms of depression because it does not disturb mental functioning. Dr. James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, recommend kava for its calming, anti-depressant effect. People who are pregnant or taking antidepressant medication should not use kava.

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort, or Hypericum perforatum, is a perennial herb found in prairies, meadows and roadsides throughout the world. The tiny yellow flowers have been used for centuries to treat wounds, burns, inflammatory diseases and intestinal worms. Herbalists also use it for depression, and it has become one of the most common herbal treatments for all kinds of depression. Dr. Linda B. White, M.D., and Steven Foster recommend capsules or a tincture of the herb for mild to moderate depression. Dr. James F. Balch and Phyllis A. Balch, CNC, state that it acts as an MAO-inhibitor, but is more gentle. A review by K. Linde and colleagues published in the October 2008 issue of the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" found that St. John's wort extracts were more effective than placebo in patients with major depression, and were as effective as standard antidepressants but with fewer side effects. People who are pregnant, taking antidepressants, or taking medications that interact with MAO-inhibitors should not take this herb.

Rhodiola

Rhodiola, or Rhodiola rosea, is a perennial succulent with yellow flowers native to Scandinavia and parts of Russia, but used throughout the world as a potent antidepressant. Herbalists consider it to be an adaptogenic tonic, helping the body respond to stress, and the rhizome, or underground stem, is used in capsules or tincture to improve physical and mental stamina, relieve depression and reduce fatigue. Rhodiola's active ingredients include contains rosiridin, rhodioloside B, rhodioloside C, salidroside, rosarin and rosavin. A study by D. van Diermen and colleagues published in the March 2009 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that the root extract increases the levels of serotonin in nerve cells because it is a potent MAO-inhibitor. The researchers state that the study supports the traditional use of rhodiola in treating depression. People taking antidepressants or medications that interact with MAO-inhibitors should not use this herb.