Herbal Remedies for Depression

Herbal Remedies for Depression instead of Depression Drugs

Mother Earth in her generosity has given us a great number of humble depression herbs. Mankind uses herbal remedies for depression since ancient times it is no wonder, that we have a wide range of herbs for depression.

Just go through my summary of depression herbs and find your herbal remedy for depression. It is worth to give herbs for depression a try.

St Johns wort and depression

St Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a great herbal medicine for depression. St Johns wort grows wild throughout Europe its bright yellow flowers are gathered in summer and dried in bunches.

St Johns wort has been used as a remedy for nervous disorders for more than 2000 years. The scent of St Johns wort was thought by the ancient Greeks to ward off evil spirits. Today it is widely prescribed in Europe as a natural antidepressant. It can help to ease moderate and mild depression, nervous fatigue, negativity and sleeping difficulties. It is a great natural remedy for depression and insomnia.

St Johns wort definitely help with depression and is number one among herbs for depression. Especially recommended for women in menopause and elderly depressed people. Read more about menopause and depression…

Take three times a day, with meals, a 300mg capsule of standardized extract that contains 0.3% hypericin and 5% hyperforin. Allow 6 weeks for the herb to begin working.

Caution: Do not take St John's wort during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with other medicines without first consulting your doctor. The plant may react with certain drugs including: oral contraceptives, theophylline, digoxin, antidepressant and protease inhibitors. The depression herb can cause sensitivity to sunlight, try to stay out of the sun as much as possible while you are taking it.

The leaf of this Eastern tree
Which has been entrusted to my garden
Offers a feast of secret significance,
For the edification of the initiate.

Is it one living thing
That has become divided within itself?
Are these two who have chosen each other,
So that we know them as one?

I think I have found the right answer
To these questions;
Do my songs not make you feel
That I am both one and twain?

Goethe: Ginkgo Biloba

Herbal remedies for depression: Rhodiola

Herbs for depression Rhodiola Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) is a very effective natural remedy for depression, one of the most important herbal remedies for depression. It is good for improving mood and alleviating depression, reducing fatigue and improving both physical and mental performance. Rhodiola has been used for centuries in Scandinavia and Russia fighting fatigue, boosting brain power, easing depression, enhancing immunity and sexual stamina. So it is not only a depression herb but nearly a superherb!

Mainly used in capsules with 100mg of standardized amount of 3% rosavins and 08-1% salidroside. Take one or two capsules daily in the morning and early afternoon, since it can interfere with sleep.

Caution: If you become overly activated or even agitated cut down the dose!

Herbal remedies for depression: Siberian ginseng

depression herbs siberian ginseng Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) comes from Siberia, as its name suggests. It is not only herbal medicine for depression, but general adaptogen, because it helps the organism to cope with stress. Russian doctors, who were the first to draw attention to its therapeutic value, have used it to ameliorate the effects of stress and fatigue. It is not only one of depression herbs but has the reputation to be a tonic for all organs of the body.

The root has been shown to stimulate the central nervous system and the adrenal gland, as well as being beneficial in the treatment of impotence. Especially recommended for depression in men.

Mainly used in capsules with 150mg powder. Take one capsule three times a day with a large glass of water.

Caution: Do not use Siberian ginseng for more than a month, followed by a break of at least two months before restarting.

Herbal remedies for depression: Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba (also called Maidenhair tree) is one of the oldest herbs for depression. Described by Charles Darwin as a living fossil, ginkgo is the world’s oldest surviving tree species. It has grown in China for more than two hundred million years – and individual trees live for a thousand years or more. The ginkgo tree was brought to Europe in the 18th century. Ginkgo is cultivated for the pharmaceutical industry, ginkgo leafs are used for tinctures, dry extracts.

Ginkgo has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for more than 4000 years to treat memory loss in the elderly. Research in 1999 showed that a daily dose of 120-160mg given to elderly people for 12 weeks helped to improve concentration and memory as well as reducing mood swings and apathy.

Ginkgo is not only herbal medicine for depression but improves blood circulation especially in the brain. Among herbs for depression ginkgo suits best for elderly depressed people. Read more about elderly depression…

Herbalists prescribe ginkgo to enhance mental alertness in people of any age, to treat impotence and to uplift mood in elderly.

Caution: Ginkgo acts as natural anticoagulant, avoid if taking blood-thinning drugs. Before surgery, tell your surgeon if you are taking ginkgo supplements.

Herbal remedies for depression: Kava kava

Kava kava (Piper methysticum, also called Kava pepper) is an evergreen shrub that grows on the islands of western Polynesia. The Polynesians soak the roots of the plant in water to obtain a drink used in rituals and for guests to create feelings of calm and well being.

Numerous experiments have clearly revealed the sedative, mild euphoric and relaxing effects of kava kava and its extracts. The roots are processed into extracts which active derivatives are kavalactones.

According to different studies kava and kavalactones have the ability to treat anxiety, moderate depression and insomnia. Among herbs for depression kava pepper is tailored to ameliorate depression with anxiety, panic or even anxiety attacks.

Kava kava are depression herbs providing relaxed, calm sleep so it is great for depression and insomnia and agitated depression.

Use licensed supplements containing 30% kavalactones, extracts made from the roots of the shrub. Take 250mg supplement twice or three times a day with plenty of water.

Caution: In a few cases kava kava caused liver damage and stomach complaints. Do not overuse the herb.

Herbal remedies depression: Liquorice

depression herbs Liquorice Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a perennial shrub native to southern Europe. Roots are used as powders or juice to treat various ailments as digestive, respiratory problems or menses, menopause troubles. The plant has a mild oestrogenic effect and has plenty of natural antidepressant compound which makes it ideal depression herbs for women during menopause. Read more about depression and menopause…

Among herbs for depression liquorice is less known, because of its many other different healing properties.

Use supplements containing 22% glycyrrhizin or glycyrrhizinic acid. Take 200mg tablets three times a day, but not longer than 4-6 weeks.

Caution: Liquorice may cause water and sodium retention with potassium depletion and may elevate blood pressure. The herb is not recommended for individuals with kidney disorders, high blood pressure and pregnant, breastfeeding women. Any treatment using liquorice should not last longer than 4-6 weeks.

The list of depression herbs is not complete, of course. We have plenty of other herbs for depression, as Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and more. Read about herbal teas for depression and diet and depression…

Going through herbal remedies for depression above, I hope you could find your own herbs for depression. In the pharmacy of Nature every ailment has its curative herb. God bless all of depression herbs and I wish you the best of mood!