Mental health experts now estimate that as many as 20 million Americans experience some form of depression in any calender year. While the exact cause of depression isn’t usually known, things like chronic stress, certain medical conditions, hormonal disruptions, a family history of depression and even some prescription medications may all contribute. While no herbal remedies for depression will treat serious bouts of depression, here are a few herbal remedies to discuss with your physician during your talk about your mild depression:
St. Johns Wort
St. Johns wort is a small, hardy herb native to western Europe. Today this hardy perennial, which botanists call Hypericum perforatum, is commercially cultivated around the world, including the Pacific coast area of the U.S. Standardized extracts of St. Johns wort have been used for decades to treat mild depression and seasonal affective disorder in Germany. Not all studies have found St. Johns wort effective but a 2005 study actually found it more effective than the prescription drug Prozac.
Ginkgo
Depression in the elderly presents its own unique problems. For depression related to dementia, the herb Ginkgo biloba may be helpful. Like St. Johns wort, ginkgo is sold as a standardized extract. A 1993 German study found that dementia patients given ginkgo improved “significantly” after only 2 months on the regimen.
SAM-e
One of the most promising “natural” remedies isn’t actually an herbal remedy but it’s often sold right alongside them. SAM-e, or S-adenosyl-l-methionine, is a chemical needed for at least 3 dozen different essential biochemical reactions in the body. While SAM-e is not appropriate for some people (especially those with manic depression) supplements of this vital chemical may help some people better manage symptoms of mild depression and related mood disorders.
Discussing Herbal Remedies for Depression with your Doctor
It’s important to remember that depression is a complicated medical condition and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. It’s also important to remember that any herbal remedy–including those discussed here–have at least some potential for side effects, drug interactions and other undesirable “events”. But if you would like more information about these or any other herbal remedies for depression, ask your doctor for the medical advice that is appropriate for you.
References:
Fava, M., et al. (2005). A double-blind, randomized trial of St. Johns wort, fluoxetine, and placebo in major depressive disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.
Schubert, H., et al. (1993). Depressive episode primarily unresponsive to therapy in elderly patients; efficacy of Ginkgo biloba . . . Geriatrie Forschung.
Kagan, B., et al. (1990). Oral S-adenosymethionine in depression; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry.
