Depression is one of the most commonly experienced medical problems in the United States. FamilyDoctor.org states that depression may be associated with chemical imbalances in your brain that make it difficult for your cells to communicate with each other. Depression also tends to run in families. Certain herbs have long been used to help treat mild depression, although you should always check with your doctor before using them to treat your chronic depression.
Depression
Depression is a whole-body illness that negatively affects your nervous system, moods, thoughts and behavior. Depression, notes MayoClinic.com, can significantly impair your ability to carry out your usual daily activities. Depression-related symptoms may last for weeks, months or years. Some of the most common signs and symptoms associated with depression include prolonged feelings of sadness or hopelessness, frequent bouts of crying, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, chronic fatigue and unintentional weight gain or loss.
Common Herbal Treatments
The food and supplements you consume significantly affect your brain's behavior and your levels of neurotransmitters, or substances that help regulate your behavior, according to Phyllis A. Balch, a certified nutritional consultant and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Examples of herbal treatments that may help your mild depression include lemon balm, ginger, ginkgo, licorice root, oat straw, peppermint, Siberian ginseng, kava kava and St. John's wort. Many of these herbs promote a sense of calmness and help you manage stressful situations.
An Effective Remedy
Kava kava is one of the most effective herbal remedies in the treatment of mild depression. Kava kava contains active constituents called kavalactones, which help induce physical and mental relaxation. Kava kava, notes Balch, has been used to treat anxiety and anxiety disorders, insomnia, stress-related disorders, menopausal symptoms and urinary tract infections. Kava kava helps protect your nervous system and possesses analgesic properties. Kava kava is a plant that grows on islands throughout the South Pacific. The root of the plant is used in herbal preparations.
Disclaimer
Treatments for depression vary based on the individual. The use of herbal remedies, although largely safe and effective, does not guarantee a cure for your depression. Most people with depression benefit from antidepressant medications and talk therapy, or a combination of the two. To better understand what treatment methods may benefit you most, talk with a qualified health care professional. Before you take herbal remedies for your depression, understand the inherent risks associated with herbal medicine.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Depression
- MayoClinic.com: Depression
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
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