Several types of depression exist, including major depression, atypical depression and dysthymic disorder. Some types of depression, such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder and postpartum depression, only affect women. Other types, like seasonal affective disorder, occur at certain times of the year. In addition to psychotherapy or antidepressants, you may consider herbs and vitamins to alleviate your symptoms of depression. Before taking any vitamins or herbs for depression, consult your doctor.
Types of Herbs
Several types of herbs may alleviate the symptoms of depression. For example, St. John's wort may help with seasonal affective disorder and major depression. The plant grows in the United States and Europe. St. John's wort works similarly to reuptake inhibitor antidepressants by affecting the recycling of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Another herb that may help with your depression is ginkgo biloba, which grows in several parts of the world, including the United States, China, Southern France and Korea.
Types of Vitamins
Vitamins, found in either food or supplements, may improve mood. Several types of B vitamins may help with depression. For example, vitamin B6 may improve symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. If you take oral contraceptives, they may diminish the amount of vitamin B6 in your body, causing symptoms of depression. Depression may also result from deficits in vitamin B12, folic acid or inositol. Several types of food contain these B vitamins, such as dairy products, eggs and meat. Another type of vitamin that may elevate mood is vitamin D, which also occurs in dairy products.
Effectiveness
If you have mild to moderate depression, St. John's wort may work as well as an antidepressant, though it may take between four and six weeks to improve symptoms, notes University of Maryland Medical Center. Stacie Geller and Laura Studee, authors of "Botanical and Dietary Supplements for Mood and Anxiety in Menopausal Women," report that one trial found that ginkgo biloba improved depression symptoms in postmenopausal women, though it did not have an effect in three other trials. In a trial involving vitamin D supplements, participants who received 400 to 800 IU of the vitamin per day over a period of five days had significantly improved mood compared to participants who did not receive supplements, according to the University of Michigan Health System. If you have a deficit in any of the B vitamins, then taking supplements may improve your mood. Vitamin B 12 may improve mood even if you do not have a deficit. Before you start using any herbs or vitamins for your depression, discuss it with your doctor.
Dosage
When using herbs for depression, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends 1 tsp. of the herb seeped in a cup of boiled water drunk two to four times a day. The University of Michigan Health System recommends 10 mg of folic acid a day if you have low levels of the vitamin. Because the dosage may vary from patient to patient, talk to your doctor about how much you should take.
Drug Interactions
Some of these vitamins or herbs may interact with medications you take. For example, St. John's wort has an adverse interaction with tricyclic antidepressants. Certain B vitamins, such as vitamin B12 and vitamin B6, have a supportive interaction with tricyclic antidepressants. St. John's wort may also cause problems if combined with certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline. The University of Michigan Health Center notes that ginkgo biloba may reduce the side effects of some of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
Considerations
Some of the herbs for depression may cause serious side effects. For example, St. John's wort may make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so the University of Michigan Health Center recommends that if you have fair skin, you should be on the lookout for any burns or rashes. Ginkgo biloba may cause excessive bleeding in some people.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Depression
- "Menopause"; Botanical and dietary supplements for mood and anxiety in menopausal women; Stacie Geller and Laura Studee; May-June 2007
- University of Michigan Health System: Depression
- University of Michigan Health System: Tricyclic Antidepressants
- University of Michigan Health System: Ginkgo Biloba
- University of Michigan Health System: Citalopram
