Depression affects young and old, male and female; it affects moods, thoughts and behaviors. Symptoms can last for weeks, months or years. The severity of depression can range from mild to extreme and there are a number of associated disorders. Heredity, trauma, hormonal or chemical imbalances, poor diet and impaired physical health are just a few possible causes of depression. Herbal remedies may have unpredictable effects and have not been proven to be safe and effective treatments for depression. They should not be used as a substitute for medical care.
Saint John's Wort
Flowers, leaves, stems and oil of hypericum perforatum, or St. John's wort, are used as a natural antidepressant in many parts of the world. German researchers reviewed 29 studies involving 5,489 subjects, which compared St. John's wort extract with both tri-cyclic antidepressants and newer SSRI medications. The analysis, published in the October 2008 Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, found hypericum extract to be as effective as medication for patients with depression and that it had fewer side effects. The herbal extract was also determined to be superior to placebo in patients with major depression. Saint John's wort may heighten skin sensitivity to sunlight. The herb should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless directed by a midwife or doctor.
Ginseng
The root of Asian ginseng, also called panax or Korean ginseng, is an ancient traditional remedy to improve mood. Researchers at the Shanghai Innovative Research Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine tested metabolites of ginenosides, an active ingredient in ginseng, on depressed rodents. The animals were subjected to tail manipulation, forced swimming and surgery to induce stress and depression. The herbal remedy given by mouth was measured to be as effective as fluoxetine, an antidepressant medication, at relieving depressive symptoms in mice and rats. In addition, the ginseng metabolite reduced oxidative stress in the brain and down-regulated stress hormones, actions not exhibited by fluoxetine. The study was published in the July 2010 Progress in Neuro-Psycopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. Ginseng should not be used by those with hypoglycemia or high blood pressure, or by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Kava Kava
Piper methysticum, or kava kava, has roots containing kavalactones that may induce physical and mental relaxation. The herb is a traditional therapy for anxiety and can cause drug interactions with minor tranquilizers. Australian researchers at the University of Queensland tested the antidepressant effects of an aqueous extract of kava. The 60 adults participating in the study had generalized anxiety with depressive symptoms and were given five tablets containing either placebo or 250 mg of kavalactones per day for three weeks. There were no adverse effects from the herbal intervention. Anxiety and depression assessment scores were significantly reduced in subjects taking kavalactones. The study was published in the August 2009 issue of Psychopharmacology. Kava kava should not be combined with alcohol and is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The herb may cause drowsiness.
References
- Pubmed.gov: St John's Wort for Major Depression
- Pubmed.gov: 20(S)-Protopanaxadiol, an Active Ginseng Metabolite, Exhibits Strong Antidepressant-Like Effects in Animal Tests
- Pubmed.gov: The Kava Anxiety Depression Spectrum Study (KADSS): a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial Using an Aqueous Extract of Piper Methysticum
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