Using Herb Treatments to Help Depression

Serious health complications can result from taking antidepressants Medical studies have revealed findings that taking prescription antidepressants could be linked to serious health conditions such as coronary diseases and diabetes. There are even reported cases where people who did not have existing heart ailments prior to taking antidepressants have suddenly suffered fatal cardiac arrests. Some of these antidepressants could also affect the kidneys and the liver to fatal proportions. Alarmed by these findings, medical practitioners have been increasingly shifting to psychotherapy and therapies using herbs for depression treatment. That’s right, doctors are now recommending herbs for depression. These herbs for depression treatment has steadily gained popularity over the past years.

Experiencing clinical depression is not a dangerous illness on its own. 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. This kind of a condition is considered to be a chronic condition that necessitates regular and long-term treatment. The intensity of depression can vary from one person to another. In the same way, the symptoms of a major depressive disorder could also manifest in different ways. 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.

Some of the herbs for depression treatment that are commonly recommended by medical practitioners as well as alternative medicine experts include:

1. St. John’s Wort is one of the most extensively used herbs for the treatment of depression. This herb, also known as hypericum perforatum, has been used for centuries all over the world. St. John’s Wort is used in the United States as a dietary supplement that comes either in pill form or in tea bags. Taking St. John’s Wort supplements have been known to increase the amount of serotonin, a mood regulator, in the brain.

2. Another herb that is often included in depression formulations is the Valerian Root or valerian officinalis. Those who are suffering from insomnia as part of their clinical depression are recommended to take formulations with Valerian root extract. Valerian root, however, is only recommended to be taken for periods up to six weeks. Valerian root supplements come in pill form.

3. Despite being found to aggravate depression, hops are still recommended as one of the herbs for depression when put together with other mood boosters. It is used to relieve tension and ease irritability in people suffering from depression. Depression-induced insomnia is also eased by hops.

4. Ginseng is a generally beneficial herbal component used in supplements and energy drinks. This particular herbal depression treatment has been proven to fight stress and give a person the energy boost he needs. Lots of formulations including teas, pills, and juices that are recommended for depression treatment contain ginseng.

The list of herbs for depression treatment is long. Kava kava for depression and gingko biloba depression treatment are two examples. Other alternative treatment methods aside from psychotherapy are also available. As there are differences to the way that clinical depression manifests itself and the causes of clinical depression, the right treatment could only be prescribed after consultation with your doctor. Anyone suffering from depression should not take any medications, whether herbal or not, without the supervision of his doctor.

 Mail this post

Popularity: 2% [?]

Technorati Tags: depression, depression treatment, herbal medicine, herbal treatment for depression, herbal treatments, herbs for depression

No Comments

Leave a reply

Powered by Yahoo! Answers