Depression and anxiety can be chronic conditions that cause physical, mental and emotional symptoms. Antidepressants are potent drugs that can treat feelings of anxiety, sadness, nervousness and irritability, but may not be suitable for all individuals or all types of illness. FamilyDoctor.org notes that some herbs and vitamins can help to ease symptoms of depression and anxiety in some cases. Talk to a doctor before trying to treat depression or any condition with herbs and do not stop taking any medication already prescribed without a doctor's guidance.
Symptoms
FamilyDoctor.org notes that depression and anxiety can cause both emotional and physical symptoms. Physical symptoms include fatigue, insomnia, excessive sleeping, increased or decreased appetite, headaches, backaches, muscle pain, digestive problems and low libido and other problems with sex. Emotional symptoms include nervousness, irritability, anger, confusion and difficulty with memory, reasoning and daily functioning.
Function
Nonprescription herbal medications for depression and anxiety can have similar mechanisms on the brain as pharmaceutical antidepressants. They affect the body by increasing the concentrations of certain neurotransmitters or chemical messengers that deliver signals between the nerves in the brain. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine help to promote feelings of relaxation, calm and happiness. Vitamins are essential for many body functions and a lack of or decrease of certain vitamins may cause irritability, slight depression and anxiety.
Herbs
The University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC, notes that St. John's wort is a popular herbal remedy for anxiety and depression. This herb may help to reduce symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety and depression. A study published in 2001 in the "American Journal of Psychiatry" showed that the herb kava kava is an effective alternate therapy for symptoms of anxiety. Don't take St. John's wort or kava without a doctor's approval.
Vitamins
Vitamins are important for all body functions, including mood-regulating mechanisms in the brain. For this reason, in some cases of anxiety and depression, supplementing with certain vitamins may be helpful to reduce symptoms. A study published in 2005 in the medical journal "Family Practice" noted that while vitamin B-6 was not effective in general in treating depression, it may have a positive effect in menopausal women and other individuals with lower levels of B vitamins.
Risks
Though herbal supplements are not as powerful as antidepressant drugs, they can still have adverse interactions with other medications. The UMMC warns that herbal medications should not be used to treat depression without consulting a doctor. In cases of severe depression, herbs and vitamins may not be adequate for treatment; correct diagnosis of the type and causes of depression and anxiety is important for the most suitable treatment plan.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: St. Johns Wort
- FamilyDoctor.org: Depression
- The American Journal of Psychiatry: The Use of Complementary and Alternative Therapies to Treat Anxiety and Depression in the United States
- Family Practice: The role for vitamin B-6 as treatment for depression: a systematic review
