Feeling Depressed? Try Some Herbal Treatments

For their depression, consumers would ask their doctors if they could have natural herbs rather than synthetic anti-depressants. When it comes to herbal remedy, St. John’s Wort is the most common.

When you use herbs instead of prescribed anti-depressants, there are fewer side effects and severity. It’s best to consult your doctor before taking St. John’s Wort if you’re taking anything else because it can’t be taken with another anti-depressant or medication.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, helps consumers treat depression by educating them about how to use St. John’s Wort. They believe this treatment is best used for forms of depression which are from mild to moderate.

How is depression treated by using St. John’s Wort? It’s believed that it might prevent nerve cells from reabsorbing serotonin, which is the chemical messenger in the body.

Even after centuries of being studied by scientists in treating mental disorders, it’s still a mystery despite it being effective for treating symptoms of depression like wood swings and loss of appetite.

Since synthetic drugs have side effects like headaches, insomnia, etc., consumers are then turning to herbal remedies like St. John’s Wort. Also, unlike high-priced prescription medications, it’s a less costly treatment.

St. John’s Wort can be bought in the form of tea, capsule, or extract. As for the doses, you need to be careful because the treatment process can be impeded by high level doses due to it causing dizziness, sensitivity to light, and upset stomach.

There are other herbs besides St. John’s Wort that can be used for treating depression. To improve symptoms of depression such as stress and insomnia, you can also use herbs like Damiana, Ginseng, and Valerian root.

Regardless of which herbal remedy you wish to try in treatment for your depression symptoms, it’s important to get the guidance of a doctor skilled in herbal remedies to ensure you’re ingesting the correct amount and type of herb for your personal needs.

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