Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent low mood and lack of enjoyment in life. It commonly includes a lack of concentration and poor memory. Along with prescription medicines, herbal treatments are available for both depression and memory loss. Although you can buy herbal treatments without a prescription, this does not mean they are safe, and the quality and strength of your supplement may vary. Always consult your doctor before beginning to take an herb or supplement.
St John's Wort
St John's wort has been successful in treating mild to moderate depression, although it is less effective in treating major depression. Generally, it has fewer side effects than prescribed antidepressants. The side effects may include dry mouth, dizziness, and nausea. It can have serious interactions with prescription drugs such as other antidepressants, birth control pills and others, so check with your doctor before taking it.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo Biloba has shown promise in treating memory loss. It increases blood flow both to the brain and body, which may help improve mood and memory, as well as have cardiovascular benefits. A review published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" in 2002 concluded that there was mixed evidence for ginkgo's effects of memory loss but that it appeared to have some benefits for treating dementia. It has not been well studied as a treatment for depression.
Ginseng
Ginseng is traditionally used to improve energy, and may aid in treatment of memory loss and depression by restoring balance among some of the major neurotransmitters in your brain, including serotonin, which is involved in depression. A study published in "Psychopharmacology" in 2000 found that people given a combination of ginkgo and ginseng extract improved their scores on memory measures by an average of 7.5 percent. However, according to the 2002 review in "Annals of Internal Medicine," studies on ginseng alone have not been as promising. Ginseng has not been rigorously studied as a treatment for depression.
References
- Depression-Guide.Com: Herbal Remedy and Cure for Depression- Herbs for Depression
- "Annals Of Internal Medicine"; The Risk--Benefit Profile of Commonly Used Herbal Therapies: Ginkgo, St. John's Wort, Ginseng, Echinacea, Saw Palmetto, and Kava; Ernst
- Pubmed.org: "Psychpharmacology"; The Memory Enhancing Effects of a Ginkgo Biloba/Panax Ginseng Combination in Healthy Middle-aged Volunteers; Wesnes, Ward, McGinty, Petrini; 2000
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: St John's Wort and Depression
- Centre for Mental Health Research: Effectiveness of Complementary and Self-Help Treatments for Depression
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