Herbs for Depression - A
Viable
Alternative?
For
Herbal
Anti Depressants Reviewed
by: Alexander Matis, MSc
Among the natural treatments for
depression herbal anti
depressants play quite a prominent role. Similar
to prescription drugs, substances from herbs for depression
interact
with cells and receptors in the human body. However, while prescription
drugs undergo rigorous clinical testing before being approved as
treatment, herbal
depression medicine (as well as other natural
depression treatments) only rarely has been tested under defined
clinical study conditions. On the other hand for certain herbal anti
depressants clinical studies have been conducted, while
for others strong
circumstantial evidence exists that they have a positive effect on
patients suffering from depression.
Whether or not herbal
anti depressants are used, should in any case
be discussed with a medical practitioner, who may decide that herbs
for depression may be used on its own or in combination
with
standard prescription drugs and / or other alternative treatments for
depression. Depression is a serious illness not to be taken lightly.
Accordingly,
you should not decide on the means to treating the condition on your
own, whether you are considering herbs
for depression or
anything else.
Among the herbs for
depression commonly used the following
three herbal anti
depressants are most often mentioned:
St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort is without doubt the most studied and well-known herbal
depression treatment among the herbs for depression
commonly used.
Historically this flower has been known for thousands of years to have
medicinal properties for a large variety of diseases. In 1630 St.
John's Wort was officially mentioned as herbal depression
medicine by Agelo Sala, who wrote: "St. John's Wort cures
illnesses of
the imagination, melancholia, anxiety and disturbances of understanding
as quick as lightening." In modern times two
clinical studies have shown that this herbal depression treatment
is
less effective than a placebo in severe cases of depression, at the
same time there is strong clinical evidence for a positive effect
of this herbal treatment
for depression in mild depression. In some
European countries this herbal
depression
treatment is used as an alternative to prescription drugs
widely accepted by the medical profession.
Gingko Biloba
This herbal remedy for
depression has been used for hundreds of years
in Asia as a medicinal plant for depression and various other
illnesses. Extracts of Ginkgo leaves contain biomolecules that act as
powerful herbal anti
depressants in particular in light cases of
depression. The leaves also contain antioxidants that increase the
blood flow to the brain and other body parts. Despite the alleged
herbal anti depressants
potential of Gingko this herbal
depression medicine has not yet been extensively
clinically tested by
the medical community.
Siberian Ginseng
Native to Eastern Russia, China, Korea
and Japan this alleged herbal
treatment for
depression was first discovered as a potential herbal
remedy
by Russian Scientists in the last century. According to various Russian
clinical trials Siberian Ginseng is a strong stress-protective agent
and herbal depression
medicine. In the West scepticism about this claim
remains strong, while in Chinese medicine, the plant has become an
established herbal anti
depressants and other illnesses.
Conclusion
Herbal
depression medicine, maybe with the exception of St.
John's
Wort, a herbal treatment
for depression widely accepted by traditional
medicine, is still not well regarded by Western medicine, due to a lack
of clinical data showing a definite positive effect of herbal anti
depressants. Nonetheless, the use of herbs for depression
should always be considered as an option on its own in light cases of
depression, as supportive agent or as a last means, if prescription
drugs fail to be effective. It is hoped that over time more clinical
data will become available to prove or disprove the effectiveness of
herbal depression medicine.
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