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Natural Herbs and Supplements for Depression Treatment

DISCLAIMER - Due to individual circumstances (e.g. age, health, and personal tolerance), I have not recommended any suggested dosages for this article. If in doubt, consult your doctor. Do your research on these natural remedies for depression before you buy or experiment with them.

You will see a commercial for the latest drug that can treat almost any mental or physical condition, including depression, on any television show today. It is obvious that most hospitals and drug companies don't want a healthy world. To keep their businesses and themselves financially secure, they rely on you to fill your prescription. They are usually only interested in diagnosing and treating your depression.

There are many natural alternatives to depression management. Studies have shown that many of these "alternatives" work just as well, or even better than their lab-produced counterparts hbvitality.

Although herbs and supplements are not able to cure depression but only the symptoms, there are some key benefits. They are affordable (especially if you don't have the budget for doctor visits or drugs), easy availability (found in most places that vitamins can be purchased), low risk of dependence and, best of all, they do not cause side effects.

Based on years of experience and research, I've compiled a list of the top 10 natural herbs and supplements that can best help someone with mild to moderate depression. These are the top 10 natural herbs and supplements:

Top-5 Natural Depression Remedies

1) St. John's Wort, (herbal remedy).

St. John's Wort, a well-documented herbal remedy for depression and low moods for thousands of years, has recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in mainstream consciousness and the holistic health community. It is actually the best choice for millions of people suffering from depression around the world.

Although many people in the West are skeptical about the efficacy of herbs as medicines, there is sufficient evidence to support the fact that St. John's Wort can be a powerful treatment for those who suffer from depression. Many European countries have now banned St. John's Wort from their shelves and only allow it to be prescribed by a doctor. St. John's Wort is affordable and easily available in almost all places that sell vitamins (in the USA). The benefits far outweigh any negatives. Effective daily treatment can cost as little as 30 cents per day depending on where it is sold and if it's available at a discount store.

Even at high doses, there are very few side effects. It does not cause addiction and can be safely taken for a long time.

St. John's Wort has one real disadvantage. It won't provide immediate relief. This could be a deterrent to depressed people who are looking for an immediate solution to their low moods. The effects of this herb build up over time. For depression management, patients may not experience any benefits for between 4 and 8 weeks. You can still get out of depression with patience and a large daily dose.

St. John's Wort is low-risk and inexpensive, so anyone who suffers from depression should give it a shot for a two month trial.

2) SAM-e (amino acid, supplement)

SAM-e, which has been available in Europe since the 1970s, is a mood-enhancing supplement that is becoming increasingly popular in North America. SAM-e can be legally purchased in the USA at any place that sells vitamins.

Although it is quite expensive (starting at more than $2/day), this supplement is a best-seller. It has very few side effects, and it appears to be effective in managing depression.

It can be noticeable in a matter of days for mild to moderate depression.

NOTICE: SAM-e is not recommended for treatment of bipolar disorder.

3) 5-htp (amino acid, supplement)

The 5-HTP supplement, which boosts serotonin and provides immediate mood lifts (in "minutes", not weeks or months), may be the solution. The exact dosage and effects of 5-HTP vary from person to person. You should be cautious when you first start taking it (following the instructions on the package).

5-HTP can cause mood-lifting effects that last several hours and are felt in as little as 15-30 minutes. I believe 5-HTP should be used only for temporary relief of low moods. Keep a bottle on hand and use it whenever you feel your depression levels rising.

Some people find 5-htp's ability to reduce sleeplessness to be an additional benefit.

NOTE: 5-HTP should not be used for long-term, daily use. This is because of the possibility of developing a physical dependence. You should not take more than the recommended dosage.

4) Kava Kava (herbal remedy)

Kava Kava is banned in many countries around the globe (but not in the USA) because of its potential to intoxicate-like effects and liver damage. However, you can rest assured that it packs a punch!

Kava Kava's terrible taste, cost, time and preparation (often difficult to find locally -- often available only through online orders), would not have made it higher on this depression management list. It is especially effective for temporary relief for low moods.

Local villagers have used the roots of this plant for centuries to relax naturally. They grow it primarily in Polynesia, which is also farmed in Hawaii. Kava Kava's effects can be described as similar to an alcoholic buzz, but without the dizziness.

This horrible and surprisingly common taste tastes like liquid mud or mud juice. You will need a blender, special cloth, time and the willingness to get your kitchen messy in order to prepare this concoction. There are many websites that provide information on proper preparation, so I won’t go into detail here. NOTE - You can buy pre-mixed Kava Kava products for a higher price.

5) L-Tyrosine (amino acid, supplement)

Although depression symptoms are often caused by a lack of serotonin, there are also two mood-enhancing chemicals that your brain produces. These are norepenephrine (or dopamine) and dopamine. These chemicals might be a contributing factor to depression in a small percentage of patients.

L-Tyrosine, an amino acid, helps increase the production of dopamine and norepinephrine. Although the mood-enhancing effects of L-Tyrosine might not be immediately apparent, they will become more noticeable over time. Even at high doses for effective depression management, side effects are minimal. A pleasant side effect is a greater ability to concentrate, focus, and maintain mental stamina.

Other noteworthy Natural Depression Remedies

6 Magnesium (mineral supplement, supplement)

This inexpensive, readily available mineral supplement can be a great help for a variety of issues including anxiety, insomnia, and depression. Daily Magnesium supplementation may help people with depression. This key chemical is usually found in the brain but is often lacking in those with low moods. Only a small proportion of the population is magnesium deficient. These people may find Magnesium to be a very positive treatment for their depression symptoms.

Magnesium supplementation may be helpful if you have depression that is accompanied by alcohol abuse.

NOTE - Other minerals like Calcium and Potassium can also be used to treat depression.

7) Omega-3 fish oilsOmega-3 has been shown to improve brain and overall health. It is a great complement to natural depression medications. Omega-3 can be eaten in natural form by eating fish like tuna, salmon, halibut, mackerel, and trout. You can also buy it as a supplement.

8AllB vitaminsThey are known to calm the nervous system, particularly B-6, B-12, and folic acids. For those who suffer from anxiety or are living with depression, B vitamins can be a great choice. You might consider buying a "B Complex" formulation if you feel overwhelmed by the vitamin aisle. B-Complex basically combines several B-vitamins into one pill.

9 DHEADHEA may be used to support elderly people with depression. DHEA is believed to rejuvenate the mind and body, increasing mental strength, stamina, and physical health as we age. DHEA does not directly treat depression. However, by helping you to feel more confident about yourself, you may experience an indirect "fountain-of-youth" effect.

10Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid function of the person you are depressed (hypothyroidism) has been reduced.Iodine Or Sea kelpBoth are essentially the exact same thing. It may reduce feelings of lethargy, and increase overall body energy.NOTE: Do not exceed the recommended dose as this could cause a worsening of your thyroid function.

CONCLUSION

Supplements and herbs can be used to treat long-term depression as well as short-term low moods. Although none of these herbs or supplements can treat severe depressive symptoms, many of them can be used to combat mild-to-moderate forms of the condition. These herbs and supplements are inexpensive and can be used as an alternative to or complement to prescription drugs, particularly if you don’t have or cannot afford insurance.