Herbal Remedies to Banish Depression

Long before the development of prescription antidepressant medications such as Prozac, Zoloft, Tofranil, and Lexapro, human populations had discovered natural ways to overcome the symptoms of depression through the use of plants with mood-boosting properties.  Recently, scientists have begun to explore the benefits of many of these herbal remedies and are confirming their effectiveness and safety.

People who are coping with the symptoms of depression are often tempted to try these remedies on their own to spare themselves the expense and inconvenience of seeking professional treatment. But while herbal remedies may be helpful for short-term bouts of the blues, an MGH expert cautions that people with depression lasting two weeks or more—a sign of major depressive disorder (MDD)—would do well to seek professional advice first.

“I would advise people who are experiencing acute distress that impairs daily functioning, or who suffer from persistent feelings of depression and/or anxiety, to ask their physician for a referral to a mental health professional before turning to an alternative therapy such as herbal medication,” says David Mischoulon, MD, PhD, Director of the Depression Clinical and Research Program at MGH.

“Many alternative therapies can be helpful, but mood and anxiety disorders can be serious, and if the alternative treatment you choose is ineffective, your mood disorder or anxiety may worsen as more appropriate therapy—such as talk therapy and antidepressant medications—is delayed. It’s also advisable to use alternative treatments under the supervision of your medical care provider to avoid inappropriate treatments and problems associated with potential interactions or unwanted side effects.”

Effective Natural Antidepressants

Research into the antidepressant effects of herbal remedies has been steadily increasing over the past decade. Many excellent studies have added to evidence about the efficacy of these treatments; however, results are often complicated by variations in the chemical profiles of the herbal medicines themselves, which may differ widely according to the environments where they were grown, and how they were cultivated, harvested, processed and stored. Further research will help in the identification and standardization of many of these remedies.

Address Deficiencies

Symptoms of MDD include sadness, irritability, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, fatigue, and loss of appetite. People with major depressive disorder often suffer from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Ask your doctor if your low mood may be linked to a lack of the following nutrients:

• Vitamin B, or folic acid (found in dark leafy vegetables, beans, and egg yolks)
• Vitamin B12 (found in beef, liver, poultry, and shellfish),
• The mineral magnesium (found in pumpkin seeds, whole grains, nuts, soybeans and yogurt)
• The trace mineral selenium (found in Brazil nuts, tuna and beef).

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