Are there any herbs which are very effective for treating depression?

Question

Apart from St Johns Wort,

Are there any herbs which are very effective for treating depression?

I'm looking for plants that really treat depression, not just a mild soother.

I already know about anti-stress herbs such as Kava, Valerian, Scullcap, Lemon Balm, Passiflora.

Thanks very much for any info.

Answer 1

st.Johns wort

Answer 2

Cannabis/Marijuana

This is no joke, I'm being for real.

Answer 3

Marijuana has been known to help treat depression, if you live somewhere where it's legal.

Answer 4

The leaves from the plant that produces passionfruit, passionflower herb, when made into a tea are exceptionally useful as an antidepressant and is also used to treat nervousness and anxiety, insomnia and nightmares, to alleviate mood swings and as a gentle sedative and relaxant..... have you tried organic leaves yet??

Any good health food store should be able to supply you with the organic variety of this herb....... only organic will suffice as the commercial and tea bag varieties have had so much of the goodness pulverised from they could never possibly be of any therapeutic use. Also, the spent leaves can generally be reused once more as the essential oils are still so potent in them, so you really do get your money's worth ♥

The passionflower organic loose leaf variety of the herb encourages the uptake of tryptophan, which is an amino acid that assists deep sleep, as well as maintaining levels of serotonin, which is a hormone that is crucial in regulating mood swings and depression.

Check out this link for a complete list of herbs and their cautions ~ with passionflower it is wise to consult a nutritionally oriented physician or naturopath or herbalist if you are planning on using it for pregnant or breast feeding women  and not to use on infants or young children.

http://www.hystercity.com/modules.php?op...

Foods rich in Tryptophan do a brilliant of conquering the blues and levelling out your moods i reckon.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that's used by the brain - along with B6, B3, and magesium (known as the antistress mineral) - to produce serotonin (the natural feel good drug), a neurotransmitter that carries messages between the brain and one of the body's biochemical mechanisms of sleep.

The EFA's in foods rich in omega 3's such as cold water fishes like tuna, salmon, sardines and whiting are also essential in this process to nourish the neurons that are receiving the messages from the neurotransmitters. Cold water fishes such as salmon are particularly rich in the EFA's and will do a brilliant job of levelling out your stress and depression levels and smoothing any mood swings you may have........  they will also bolster your immune system and help in lowering high blood pressure.

Eat more foods rich in all these things ♥

The Doctor doesn't tell you that when you go complaining of depression now does he .............. he surely should though.

Tryptophan will help induce natural sleep; reduce pain sensitivity; act as a nondrug antidepressant; alleviate migraines; aid in reducing anxiety and tension and help relieve some symptoms of alcohol-related body-chemistry disorders and aid in control of alcoholism.

Best natural food sources of Tryptophan are; cottage cheese, milk, meat, fish, turkey, bananas, dried dates, peanuts and all protein rich foods.

Best natural food sources for magnesium are: leafy and green vegies, nuts and seeds, cold water fishes such as tuna, sardines, whiting and salmon.

Best natural food sources for B3 are: the white meat of chicken, whole wheat products, roasted peanuts, fish, eggs, avoacadoes, dates, figs and prunes.

Best natural food sources for vitamin B6 are: wheat germ, fish, brewer's yeast, cantaloupe, cabbage, blackstgrap molasses, unmilled rice, eggs, oats, peanuts and walnuts.

Please ensure that any nuts and seeds you buy are organic as the commercial varieties are "preserved" with nasty sulfites and chemicals that may upset sensitive bodies and cause neural and digestive issues.

By taking a good quality multi B complex supplement including all the B's ie: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 you will support your body in dealing with the everyday stresses life throws at us. ie: new job, new home, school studies ...... the B complex of vitamins is essential for healthy digestive, neural and immune systsem functioning..... a liquid complex would be easiest for your body to assimilate. Don't, however, buy any of the B complex of vitamins individually, but rather as a whole complex, unless under instructions from a nutritionally oriented physician or naturopath.

Bear in mind also that calcium and vitamin D and vitamin B6 are needed to effectively absorb vitamin B12, part of the B complex of vitamins, so eat more foods rich in calcium and try to get at least 10 - 15 minutes of safe sun exposure on a daily basis...... cold water fishes such as salmon and tuna are rich in both calcium and vitamin D..... vitamin B6 & vitamin B12 will be included as part of a Bcomplex of vitamins ♥

The whole food source of tryptophan and all other vitamins, minerals amino acids etc.... will always be the most nutritious and easily assimilable form.

Drink loads of fresh filtered water on a daily basis too as you would be surprised at how being just a little bit dehydrated can affect your mood and energy levels.

Hope this information helps you a bit.

peace 2 u

Answer 5

Duuuuuuuhhhhh... You knew what answer you'd be getting from everybody :P

Answer 6

I was amazed by a product I found called SAMe - it cured my post-partum depression in about 2 bottles.  I could feel relief in 15 mins after using Nature's Sunshine's brand.  I was very impressed and have used it occassionally afterwards with the same great results.

Peace!

Answer 7

just saw a commercial on tv for SAM-e.  it's not an herb but it's a natural type treatment for depression.