Depression is a mental illness characterized by feelings of sadness that last for weeks and months and has a major impact on everyday life. According to The Royal College of Psychiatrists, if you can't cope with things that you used to, feel unhappy most of the time and lose interest in life, you may be suffering from depression. Depression may be treated in a number of ways. Your doctor may prescribe antidepressants or cognitive behavioral therapy to help ease symptoms and help you cope better. Some natural supplements may help to relieve suppression; however, scientific evidence to support their use is limited. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements for depression.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort may be an effective treatment for mild-to-moderate depression, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center website. In addition, St. John's wort may have fewer side effects than prescription antidepressants, although it may take 4 to 6 weeks to have any effect. According to U.K. mental health charity, Mind, St. John's wort may alleviate depression symptoms by prolonging the effects of serotonin and noradrenaline in the brain. Do not take St. John's wort if you have severe depression or bipolar disorder. St. John's wort may interact with other medicines so speak to your doctor before taking this herbal remedy.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba may improve symptoms of depression, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center website. Ginkgo biloba has been used as a medicinal treatment for thousands of years and is the most popular herbal supplement in the United States, according to MayoClinic.com. The herb is generally well tolerated, but there is no conclusive proof that it is an effective treatment for depression. Side effects may include headache, nausea and gastrointestinal problems. Do not take this herb if you doctor has prescribed anticoagulants or if you are scheduled to have any form of surgery as ginkgo biloba may cause bleeding.
Kava Kava
Kava kava is mostly used as an anxiety treatment. However, according to research published in the August 2009 issue of the journal "Psychopharmacology," it may also treat depression. Lead author J. Sarris also notes that kava kava was well tolerated by patients in the study. Kava kava is available in the United States, but was withdrawn from European markets over concerns that it may cause liver damage. Uncertainty over kava kava's ability to cause liver damage remains and advises that you don't use this herb without consulting a doctor first, the University of Maryland Medical Center website notes.
References
- The Royal College of Psychiatrists: Depression
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Depression
- Mind: St John's Wort - Hypericum Perforatum
- MayoClinic.com: Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.)
- "Pscyhopharmacology"; The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial Using an Aqueous Extract of Piper Methysticum; J. Sarris et al; August 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Kava kava
