Serotonin plays an important role in sleep and mood. If serotonin is lacking, it can cause trouble sleeping, depression and a decrease in the ability to handle stress. Prescription drugs, amino acids, supplements and herbs can all work to either decrease the rate at which serotonin decreases in the brain or increase the amount of serotonin created.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort is one of the most commonly recommended herbs for treating depression. A recent study in Europe indicated that St. John's wort extracts are not only useful in treating mild to moderate depression, but are also more tolerated during a major depressive episode than other drugs.The biggest concern associated with St. John's wort is that, if taken with prescription medications for depression, it may reduce the effectiveness of the medications. Therefore, it is vital to consult a physician when taking St. John's wort with other medications.
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is an herb that has been used for thousands of years to improve memory and overall cognition. Most studies have concentrated on Ginkgo biloba's effectiveness in improving cognition and reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Other results from these studies have found Ginkgo biloba to be useful in alleviating symptoms of depression. It helps by increasing blood flow to the brain, which in turn increases the amount of neuronutrients like serotonin. Whereas Ginkgo bikoba on its own seems to be effective in counteracting the symptoms of only mild depression, it really works by boosting other anti-depressive supplements and herbs.
Magnolia Bark and Ginger Rhizome
A 2009 study posted in "Progresive Neuropyschopharmocology Biologic Psychiatry" found that magnolia bark and ginger rhizome preparations worked together to increase serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain of mice. A comparison of the different extracts found that magnolia bark had the strongest effect when used alone, but together these two herbs create a synergistic effect. Together an increase of 5 HT was notice in the brain, which is a precursor to serotonin. While the study was done in mice, these two herbs have been used quite successfully in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It is best to talk to a Chinese herbalist about use of these two compounds to get the highest quality of ingredients.
References
- "Forsch Komplementmed"; St. John's Wort--An Overview; Linde K; June 2009
- Depression Resources
- "Progressive Neurophyschopharmocology Biologic Psychiatry"; Antidepressant-Like Synergism of Extract from Magnolia Bark and Ginger Rhizome Alone and in Combination in Mice; LT Yi et. al.; June 2009
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