Using Herb Remedies to Treat Depression

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Using Herb Remedies to Treat Depression

Thursday, August 20th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

The health complications of taking antidepressants are staggering. Medical studies have revealed findings that taking prescription antidepressants could be linked to serious health conditions such as coronary diseases and diabetes. And, in some cases, these drugs have been suspects in sudden cardiac deaths in people who were previously not found to have any existing heart ailments. Some of these antidepressants could also affect the kidneys and the liver to fatal proportions. This is a pressing enough reason for even medical practitioners to recommend a series of psychotherapy sessions combined with herbal therapies using herbs for depression treatment. That’s right, doctors are now recommending herbs for depression relief. These herbs for depression treatment has steadily gained popularity over the past years.

Depression in itself is not a disease or ailment. A person suffering from depression will have unexplained feelings of being weak, sad, and hopeless among other negative feelings causing him to be physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially unable to go about his daily activities. Feeling this condition whether from time to time or regularly is something that medical practitioners consider as chronic in nature that needs to be treated over the long-term. Different people can experience depression in varying intensities. The symptoms and the way the major depressive disorder can manifest itself would likewise differ from one person to another. Consulting a medical professional should be the first step that anyone who suspects that he might be suffering from clinical depression in order to get the right treatment.

With the variety of herbs for depression treatment that are prescribed by medical practitioners, here are some of the most common herbs that have been proven to work for the treatment of depression:

1. Among the herbs for depression treatment, St. John’s Wort is the most widely used. This herb, also known as hypericum perforatum, has been used for centuries all over the world. In the United States, this herb is used in pills and tea bags as dietary supplements. Taking St. John’s Wort supplements have been known to increase the amount of serotonin, a mood regulator, in the brain.

2. Valerian Root, scientifically known as valerian officinalis is another herb that is used to help treat depression. Extracts of this root is often included in formulations to help people who have insomnia as a symptom of clinical depression. Valerian root, however, is only recommended to be taken for periods up to six weeks. As an approved dietary supplement, Valerian root supplements are taken as pills.

3. Hops, despite its potentially aggravating effects, are also used in herbal depression formulations along with a host of mood enhancer herbs. It is used to relieve tension and ease irritability in people suffering from depression. Hops have also been found to fight insomnia.

4. Ginseng is a generally beneficial herbal component used in supplements and energy drinks. It is a proven stress buster and energy booster. Common herbal depression treatments that contain ginseng come in teas, pills, and juices.

There are several other herbs for depression treatment. Kava kava for depression and gingko biloba are two examples. Alternatives to psychotherapy as treatment for depression are likewise available. Since the manifestations and causes of clinical depression, only your doctor can prescribe the correct treatment for you. Anyone suffering from depression should not take any medications, whether herbal or not, without the supervision of his doctor.

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