Depression is a serious mental problem that not only produces adverse effects on its victim but also on people living in his surroundings. Depression can be treated with herbal compounds. People want to treat their depression by natural components. A widely used herb for treating depression is “St. John’s Wort”.
NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is promoting the use of St. John’s Wort as anti-depressant. They are educating people to use this herb in mild and moderate depression. They found St. John’s Wort to be best against these forms of depression.
Why to select St. John’s Wort?
St. John’s Wort has no or less side effects as compared with synthetic anti-depressants. Severity of side effect, if produced, is also very low. It can be taken in combination with anti-depressants and other medicines to improve therapeutic effects of these agents. However, it is recommended to consult your physician before using it with any synthetic drug.
How St. John’s Wort is effectual against depression?
How St. John’s Wort truly treats depression is not surely known. It is reported that it may produce it effectiveness by altering serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical messenger of body and known to influence mood. St. John’s Wort doesn’t allow reabsorbing of serotonin back to nerve cells; this helps to reduce depression.
St. John’s Wort has been widely studied for treating many mental diseases. In depression, it is also known to alleviate symptoms of depression including sadness, appetite loss, and alterations in mood and energy levels.
Why people want herbal remedies and not anti-depressants?
Synthetic anti-depressants have many side effects. Adverse effects of these drugs are:
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia (lack of sleep)
- Sexual dysfunction
To avoid these adverse effects, people are seeking herbal remedies for treatment. Other reason is that St. John’s Wort is less costly as compared with prescribed anti-depressants.
Availability of St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is available in the form of capsule. It can also be taken in a form of tea or extract. Your major concern should be the amount of herb you will take. Increase dose will not remain very effective. It can lead to dizziness, sunlight sensitivity and digestive troubles.
St. Other herbs for treating Depression
Check this natural proprietary blend of a patented extract of Magnolia officinalis and a proprietary extract from Phellodendron amurense!
Some other herbs are also effective against depression like Ginseng, Damiana and Valerian root. These herbs may also treat insomnia and stress associated with depression.
No matter which herb you select to treat your depression, it is necessary to take doctor’s permission first. To produce best outcomes from these herbs, it is important to take correct amount according to the body requirement that can only be told by a doctor.