Herbal
Antidepressant
Bethany Jordin - 2/3/2009
-
Can an Herbal Antidepressant Really Help?
Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? If so, have you considered the benefit of taking an herbal antidepressant
over the commonly prescribed pharmaceutical antidepressants? With news breaking almost constantly about the
potential side effect of suicide that is related to most commonly prescribed antidepressants it is worth
considering the options that are available that may enable you to get the treatment you need without exposing
yourself or those you love to the risks of suicide.
St. John's Wort
Source Naturals St. Johns Wort 450 - 180 tab
St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a plant whose medicinal uses were first recorded in ancient
Greece and for centuries has been used to treat mental disorders including depression and anxiety. Some have
claimed the name St. John's wort apparently refers to John the Baptist, as the plant blooms around the time of the
feast of St. John the Baptist in late June.
Recent studies have indicated that when it comes to treating anxiety and depression, St. John's Wort is an herbal
antidepressant that is comparable in effectiveness to both tricyclic antidepressants and SSRI
antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft in treating mild to moderate forms of these
disorders. Even better though is the news that St. John's Wort provides equal effectiveness with fewer side effects
though there are still safety concerns to consider when it comes to using St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort can have
very adverse side effects if used in conjunction with prescription antidepressants. Always consult with
your health care provider before modifying your treatment plan.
5-HTP (Hydroxytryptophan)
Source Naturals 5-HTP - 100 mg- 120 caps
What this is, is an herbal antidepressant that works when many traditional antidepressants fail. Studies have shown
that 5-HTP is as effective as the popular antidepressant Fluvoxamine when it comes to treating depression and
leaves fewer side effects behind. This is also commonly used to treat migraine headaches. Migraines that are
untreated or recurring can lead to depression in and of themselves. Treating these effectively can prevent
depression all together or avoid allowing depression from escalating. This herbal remedy also works to treat
insomnia and regulate sleep, which also is a key factor in the effective treatment of depression.
In rare cases some minor side effects have been associated with the use of 5-HTP which include nausea, diarrhea,
and dizziness. This should not be used by women who are pregnant or nursing and anyone that has a history of liver
or kidney disease as there have been no studies about the safety of this herbal remedy in these situations.
Children who have Down's syndrome are advised not to take 5-HTP in any form.
Fish Oil (Omega-3 Supplement)
Bluebonnet Natural Omega-3 Vegetarian DHA Vegetarian, 100 mg- 60 soft gels
One other herbal antidepressant that is getting a good bit of news lately is Omega-3. This is also commonly
referred to as the fish oil supplement. The good news is that you can get this by doing nothing more than making
fish a regular part of your diet. If you add four fish oil capsules to your daily routine you should begin to
experience a significant reduction in your depression. Most of the positive results can be experienced within 3
weeks of beginning the fish oil regimen. The health benefits of getting a proper amount of fish oil in your diet go
well beyond fighting depression alone. In addition to the four capsules daily (for adults) it is a good idea to
include fish and other foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids, in your diet at least twice per week.
There are plenty of options available to you when it comes to an herbal antidepressant. You do not have to expose
your body to potentially harmful chemicals in order to receive the benefits of healing. Check out your herbal
options today and live a life that is free of anxiety and depression once again.
About the author:
Bethany Jordin is an Information Technology professional and aspiring writer who was clinically diagnosed with SAD
(Social Anxiety Disorder) in 2007. For more on Bethany's herbal antidepressant experience please visit
the about-my story page.
Source: http://www.naturalantidepressants.info
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