Once considered "all in the mind," depression is now recognized as a malady that may respond to medication. Some people turn to herbs like St. John's wort to treat mild depression. Blue cohosh, most closely associated with menstrual and pregnancy problems, might seem a logical herb for women to use when depression appears linked to hormone fluctuation. But doctors say other herbs are much more effective, as well as safer, to use as natural antidepressants. Always ask your physician before trying any over-the-counter remedies.
Depression
Clinical depression is a chronic condition which affects both the mind and the body, notes MayoClinic.com. Hormonal imbalances or neural chemicals may trigger depression in some people, while trauma or family history causes it in others. Addiction to alcohol or drugs and serious illness also pose a risk for developing depression. Not surprisingly, experiencing more than one of these risks increases your chances of suffering depression. Symptoms include feeling depressed, of course, but also losing interest in people and things that normally bring fulfillment, gaining or losing weight, fatigue, trouble concentrating and changes in sleep patterns. Visiting your family physician or a certified therapist is the best way to determine whether you or a loved one is experiencing clinical depression and what the best course of treatment is.
Blue Cohosh History
Blue cohosh, Caulophyllum thalictroides, grows throughout North America, especially in the Eastern woodlands. The herb bears small yellow-green flowers, followed by seeds resembling blueberries. Herbalists harvest the plant's root for medicinal use. Although blue cohosh once enjoyed a reputation as an all-purpose remedy for aching joints, sore throats and colic, today its use is limited to encouraging labor and in some cases easing menstrual discomfort.
Concerns
Along with not being known for mood enhancement, blue cohosh also prompts concern from the medical community about its potential toxicity. Blue cohosh may bring about premature labor, or may cause heart failure in infants born to mothers given blue cohosh during labor. A 2008 University of Toronto study on the use of blue cohosh by midwives concluded that the herb should be "used with extreme caution" as a labor tool, and "should not be available to the public as an over-the-counter tool." Drugs.com notes that the FDA has not studied blue cohosh for its use to treat any conditions.
Alternatives
St. John's wort and ginkgo may prove helpful for people with mild to moderate depression, notes UMMC. Both have fewer side effects that prescription antidepressants. UMMC additionally suggests the use of nutritional or therapeutic supplements, including SAMe, which raises the mood-boosting brain chemical dopamine; vitamin B-6, for women with depression linked to their menstrual cycles; and fish oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids thought to support the efficacy of prescription antidepressants. Aromatherapy massage may also boost mood, especially when using lavender, sage, chamomile, orange, jasmine or rosemary.
