Nowadays many herbal treatments for depression are available in the market. They offer a safe, natural alternative to the prescription medications, of which many have serious side effects. These herbs include a very wide variety of species for treating varying degrees of depression, from mild to moderate or severe. These days when prescription/pharmaceutical drugs are getting a load of negative press, due to unrevealed health risks so herbal treatments for depression are getting more and more popular.
St. John's Wort is an herbal depression remedy, which is made from a plant with the same name. This comes in the form of oils, tablets, capsules, and liquid extracts. Research has shown that it has similar effects to the recommended anti-depressants. The flowers of this plant contain a substance which is called hypericin. Hypericin is an active constituent of Hypericum perfoliatum which is used in the remedy. This is commonly used in European countries.
5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan (5-HTP) is a natural anti-depressant made from the seeds of the plant Griffonia Simplicifolia. Some studies indicate that 5-HTP can be useful in the treatment of depression but further mainstream research is needed. The side effects of this medicine appears to be less severe and fewer than those of usual anti-depressants, this medicine comes is capsules.
SAMe (S-adenosyl methionine) is another herbal treatment for depression. It is an amino acid essential to maintain a healthy neurotransmitter process in the brain. It is involved in the synthesis and metabolism of vitamins also. It works quickly and has no side effects but SAMe is expensive.
Ginkgo biloba is another popular herbal treatment for depression. It found to be useful in relieving depression, especially in the elderly. What ginkgo does is that it increases the oxygen and blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body, which promotes the feeling of well being and happiness and reduces depression and anxiety. It an effective and a powerful anti-depressant and anti-oxidant and is usually used to treat depression in the elderly.
Passion Flower is a natural soothing and mood enhancer that can help treat feelings of depression as well as general anxiety and restlessness. Piperine is an alkaloid found in black pepper and similar plants, piperine is a natural anti-depressant and serotonin enhancer.
These are some of the herbal treatments for depression found in the market and are popular. But if you decide to use any of them first consult your doctor.