| The idea that herbs to treat depression will work for | | | | is no accident that St. John’s worth is rated the |
| everyone is simply wishful thinking. That said, there | | | | best in the category of herbs to treat depression. |
| currently is no one treatment for depression which | | | | There are a couple of caveats though. First and |
| works 100% of the time. The most likely reason for | | | | foremost you should check with your doctor for any |
| this is that depression is a complicated condition | | | | possible prescription drug interactions and secondarily |
| involving personal experiences and brain chemistry that | | | | be aware that St. John’s wort when taken on an |
| has yet to be accurately deciphered. So while we do | | | | empty stomach can cause mild stomach discomfort. |
| know from observation that some treatments work | | | | Passionflower is often used as a compliment to St. |
| we still don’t fully understand why. | | | | Johns wort and is considered by many naturopathic |
| The idea of herbs to treat depression has been | | | | the second best of the herbs to treat anxiety and |
| popular in Europe for many years and continues to be | | | | depression. As many of you know anxiety often turns |
| to this day. Their seem to be somewhat of a divide in | | | | into depression and passionflower is perhaps the |
| thinking between conventional medicine and | | | | foremost herb used when it comes to anxiety. |
| complementary medicine in regards to how to treat | | | | While the two herbs listed above are likely the two |
| depression. Convention western medicine is firmly | | | | best herbs for depression there are a number of |
| behind prescription medications such as selective | | | | others which only have anecdotal evidence to support |
| serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) despite the side | | | | their efficacy. These would include basil, black |
| effects and withdrawal symptoms. Naturopathic | | | | hellebore, clove, ginger, oat straw, rosemary, sage, |
| medicine and many eastern cultures are firmly behind | | | | thyme, ginkgo biloba, and kava (not approved for use |
| the idea of finding an effective herbal depression | | | | in United States). |
| remedy and combining it with lifestyle adjustments, | | | | What Next? Certainly is you are suffering from |
| such as diet modification and exercise is the more | | | | depression finding help should be your number one |
| effective path. Every unique case of depression | | | | priority. You will have a number of different options |
| provides its own unique set of circumstances and | | | | including conventional medications, psychotherapy, and |
| perhaps merits can be found in either approach. Now | | | | natural remedies all of which approach depression in |
| let’s move on to commonly uses herbs to treat | | | | different ways; with each method having its benefits. |
| depression. | | | | While this may be true many people are choosing to |
| St. John’s wort is currently the most extensively | | | | give herbs to treat depression a try due to their lack of |
| researched herbal depression remedy. The main | | | | side effects. As discussed above the two of the most |
| advantage of using St. John’s wort extract as | | | | effective herbal ingredients commonly used to |
| opposed to antidepressant drugs has been found to | | | | overcome depression are St.John’s wort and |
| be not so much a difference in therapeutic outcome, | | | | passionflower. Herbal remedies which are able to |
| but rather a significant advantage in terms of side | | | | harness the power of St.John’s wort and |
| effects, affordability, and overall patient satisfaction. | | | | passionflower are a safe and effective way to treat |
| Additionally, it is considered by Chinese medicine | | | | depression and can be used both as a standalone |
| practitioners to be an excellent detoxifying agent and a | | | | treatment, or when called for, in combination with other |
| good way to improve overall liver function. Obviously it | | | | non-prescription therapies for maximum impact. |