Herbal Antidepressants: 3 Useful Herbs To Manage Depression In No time

Depression is a condition that comes and goes. It can be due to hormonal and lifestyle changes but in most cases it has no apparent reason. Here we’ll discuss the efficacy and safety of herbal antidepressants and which ones should be taken into account.

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Only those who already suffered from depression know how daunting it can be.

There are plenty of prescription drugs for depression that provide some relief but also may cause dependency and other side effects.

In those cases, herbal antidepressants may represent a better choice of treatment.

There is not yet a large body of research covering the effects of certain herbal remedies on depressive symptoms.

Still, herbs have been used successfully for centuries to relieve many physical and mental conditions.

Whilst information from official clinical research in terms of the efficacy of herbal antidepressants is scant, there is a good deal of anecdotal evidence to suggest that herbs may be a natural solution for treating depression.

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The exact mechanisms that allow certain herbs to offer antidepressant qualities are unclear, but it is the similarity between key organic compounds and the neurotransmitter serotonin that prompted researchers to begin exploring the potential medicinal properties of these herbs to help treat mental illnesses. 

Low levels of serotonin have been implicated as a major culprit in brain function in depressed individuals.

The molecular structure of these herbal extracts that are capable of acting as natural antidepressants is very close to the structure of serotonin.

Herbal Antidepressants vs Pharmaceutical Drugs

There are a number of reasons someone might not want to stick with prescription psychotropic medications (drugs that affect emotion, behaviour, and cognition) and turn to the more natural medicine world to find herbs that naturally treat depression.

Herbs or herbal supplements may be more convenient than seeking prescription antidepressants.

Since herbs do not require a prescription, they can be purchased without trips to the doctor and long waits at the pharmacy.

However, herbs can still interact with other medications and cause side effects.

Be sure to always check with your doctor before beginning any type of medicinal regimen to avoid complications.

Perhaps a much more attractive benefit of using herbal treatments instead of prescription drugs is the decrease in potential side effects.

Many antidepressant side effects are tolerated by those who take them, but there is still a fairly high percentage of users who decide to end treatment based on their doctor’s recommendation.

This lack of compliance is most often due to problems involving side effects. 

Fatigue, nausea, sexual complications, insomnia, increased heart rate, and increased suicidal ideation (especially in younger depressed patients) are some of the possible side effects of different prescription antidepressants.

Best Herbal Antidepressants

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

It’s an herb that is often used to flavour and add colour to foods.

This particular herb has a number of health benefits including antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antidepressant properties, to name a few. 

Particular saffron extracts have been shown to have great potential to help treat depression.

Evidence suggests that saffron works to prevent the reuptake of not only serotonin, but also the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine. 

Research on the toxicology of medicinal saffron use is still somewhat inconclusive.

However, saffron tea has been used for centuries as a mood enhancer, and trials have shown that saffron extracts work significantly better than a placebo in depressed patients.

Additional research on the use of saffron to treat depression appears worthwhile and promising.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

It’s a well-known herb that has been used for decades to treat depression naturally.

Depending on the individual, results may vary, but in general, St. John’s wort is comparable to prescription SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants.

Studies have shown that this herb acts in a similar way to these types of drugs, increasing low levels of serotonin in the brain, which can cause depression.

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ST. JOHN’S WORT AND DEPRESSION: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Rose root (Rhodiola rosea)

Also known as “golden root”, this is an herb found in Asia and Europe that can help people manage depression by reducing stress.

Rose root has been shown to help reduce the effects of physical, chemical, and biological stressors. 

Golden root may be especially helpful for those experiencing physical symptoms along with the mental aspects of depression: it has also shown promise in terms of reversing fatigue and reducing physical weakness. 

Final Thoughts

If herbal remedies work for you, they can be fantastic alternatives to prescription pharmaceuticals, but there may be potential drawbacks as clinical research is limited. 

As mentioned above, herbal solutions are often safer than prescription drugs, but they can have very serious drug-drug interactions if herbal remedies are mixed with prescription drugs.

When it comes to making decisions with natural alternatives, it’s still very important to check with your doctor if you’re taking any type of prescription medication.

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