Depression Treatment with Herbal Dietary Supplements

Depression affects many men and women in the United States and of those affected very few are aware there are diet supplements that can help their depression. Too often people just want to go to the doctor and get a prescription that they overlook all the herbal diet pills that could help them with their depression while saving them money and being healthier overall. There are quite a few herbs that have been used as a treatment for depression in the past although there are only a few that have been researched enough to know they really are good treatments for depression.

St. John’s Wort is perhaps the most researched herb in the treatment of depression. In fact, many studies have results that show that the herb is very effective in its treatment of depression and that it is very likely that the herb has similar results as tricyclic antidepressants but fewer drawbacks or side effects. The side effects that were experienced from using St. John’s Wort were not too difficult to handle. They included oversensitivity to the sun, stomach problems, fatigue, and more. St. John’s Wort is great for depression although if mixed with other drugs it can be very dangerous. It should never be mixed with oral contraceptives, other antidepressants, warfarin, reserpine, theophyline, indinivir, as well as others.

There are quite a few other drugs that professional herbalists believe can help with depression. Keep in mind that if you are visiting a professional herbalist you should listen carefully to his recommendations and even write them down. It is too easy to forget or make a mistake if you don’t. So, keep a paper and pen handy. The other drugs include Damiana, Valerian root, ginseng, and others. Each of these herbs has its own special effect on the body and on depression. If you have been using these herbs and you feel they are really working for you then continue using them because they just may be. One thing is for sure and that is that St. John’s Wort has been identified by scientists and doctors that it plays an important role in treating depression and may be even better than the prescription drug method for curing depression.

Those are the basics when it comes to herbal dietary supplements and depression treatment. If you are feeling depressed then consider St. John’s Wort after discussing it with your doctor. More than likely you can take it and in no time feel better about your situation.