Herbs For Depression - Hype Or Fact ?

Why should we bother about herbs for depression? Surely natural herbs for depression will have some side effects too? The answer to that question is that one of the main herbs for the treatment of depression is St. John's Wort which has done really well on clinical trials. Its success is due to the fact that the side effects associated with it are much fewer than those associated with conventional medications such as Prozac, Nardil and Elavin. These anti-depressants can cause weight gain, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, headaches which would make any patient depressed. I thought they were supposed to cure depression!

Because of the very few mild side effects, this is one of the reasons why St. John's Wort is now one of the most widely prescribed herbs for depression in Germany. Figures put it at 50% of the total prescriptions used for depression. That compares with a mere 2% for Prozac ! The trials I mentioned above have been reported in the British Journal of Medicine. In America, the NIMH (National Institute of Mental Health) is already organizing studies to see how safe and effective it is.

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is another one of the herbs for depression. This is an amino acid and as such it increases the level of serotonin in our bodies. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter in the brain which is the most important for our moods together with the endorphins. Most of the conventional medications try to increase serotonin levels but as I said, there are also unwanted side effects which can be very debilitating. 5- HTP has an excellent safety record and there are no side effects. Not surprisingly, it is regarded as one of the safest herbs for depression.

The Passion Flower plant has been another one of the natural herbs for depression used with great success. It contains flavonoids which have sedative effect on the brain. The main flavonoid in the passion flower is Chrysin and is known as a 'monoflavonoid'. It functions by easing tension, anxiety, worry and stress.

As with any herbal preparation, you will need to take care to take the right dosage as these herbs in excessive quantities can cause harm. You should also ascertain the credentials and qualifications of the company selling you any herbal preparation. I know that the company below is one of the best in the USA and highly qualified professional staff are involved in preparing the herbs for depression and other ailments.