Depression, or clinical depression, occurs when you experience prolonged feelings of emptiness, disappointment, sadness, worthlessness, unhappiness and self-loathing. Common signs of depression include decreased sex drive, sleeping more or less than usual and eating more or less than usual. Herbal supplements can be used to help treat depression, but you should discuss all possible treatment methods with your doctor before using herbs for this condition.
Depression and Health
One in every five people experience depression at some point in their lives, reports Beyond Blue, an Australian non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness about depression and other mental health conditions. There are five principal types of depression, each with their own unique set of characteristics and symptoms: major depression, psychotic depression, dysthymia, mixed depression and anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Medical conditions that may increase your risk of developing depression include decreased thyroid function, brain injuries, anemia and certain types of cancer.
Helpful Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements are commonly taken to help treat depression, although herbal supplements should always be used in combination with other relevant treatments recommended by your health care provider. Dr. Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr., a naturopathic physician and author of "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine," states that three herbs may be particularly helpful in treating your depression or low mood, including St. John's wort, kava kava and Ginkgo biloba. Other herbs that may be helpful adjunct therapies in treating depression include lavender, skullcap and damiana.
A Commonly Used Herbal Supplement
Damiana is a commonly used herbal supplement in treating depression. Dr. William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician, herbalist and author of "Plant Medicine in Practice," notes that damiana is a helpful nerve tonic and possesses antidepressent action. This herbal remedy has also historically been used to strengthen and tone the male reproductive tract. The leaves of the damiana plant contain important plant chemicals such as tannins, thymol, beta-carotene and beta-pinene as well as potassium, selenium and several vitamins.
Disclaimer
Although herbs may be a helpful adjunct therapy in the treatment of depression, not all herbs may be appropriate for your particular depressive disorder. Herbs should be treated with the same level of caution applied to the use of pharmaceutical drugs and should be discontinued if they cause negative health effects. A health care professional trained in herbal medicine should counsel you on when to stop using herbs, proper herb dosage and proper treatment duration.
References
- Canadian Mental Health Association: Depression
- Beyond Blue: What is Depression?
- "The Clinician's Handbook of Natural Medicine"; Joseph E. Pizzorno, Jr., N.D.; 2002
- "Plant Medicine in Practice"; William A. Mitchell Jr., N.D.; 2003
