Why might you choose to use herbal remedies for depression? After all, don’t we have antidepressants for that? In fact, modern medicine has an over-simplistic approach to depression. Treating depression symptoms by altering levels of chemicals in the brain. While depression is a mental health condition with many underlying causes. And, treating depressive symptoms with an antidepressant medication does little if anything to influence these potential causes.

In the first part of this series of articles on alternative therapies for depression, I suggest some dietary changes that can help to boost mood. Healthy foods can provide the necessary nutrients to build brain chemicals. Plus, they can supply healthy fats and plant chemicals that can help to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation that may otherwise create imbalances in the neurotransmitter levels associated with mental illness.

In this second part, I will discuss herbal medicines and depression. Focussing on those remedies proven to help lift mood and relieve depression. Some natural remedies, particularly St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), have a lot of research to support their use. Especially in moderate and mild depression and anxiety.

However, herbs are not the same as pharmaceutical treatment. A herbal supplement should not be viewed as a pill for an ill. In choosing the herbs for a patient, a herbalist considers not just the symptom. But also searches to find the underlying causes of the illness. And, as I mention earlier there could be several causes for psychiatric disorders such as depression. To find the root cause, a herbalist might ask lots of questions. You will be asked about family relationships, health history and lifestyle. It is also important to consider how well you cope with stress, your life expectations, or your interest in spirituality. These and many other factors can influence mental health and depression risk.

Some causes of depression

If a person has physical symptoms these can also impact on brain health. Recently there has been a lot of interest in how the brain and gut affect each other. The so-called gut-brain axis. In fact, the nervous system of the gut is often called the second brain. Suffice to say, ensuring good gut health is a priority in someone with a mental health disorder.

Depression can also occur as a result of hormone imbalances. Menopausal depression is one of the more common examples. Others include thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism, as well as Cushing’s and Addison’s disease.

Physical injuries, such as head injury may trigger mood disorders later in life. Chronic illnesses of the nervous system such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease have an association with depression. And there are also emotional causes such as grief or post-traumatic stress.

So, whilst herbs have a lot to offer it is important to keep in mind possible underlying factors. Having said that, research supports the use of the following herbal medicines for depression.

Herbal remedies for depression

Saffron

Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice. The medicinal part of the plant is the stigma, or pollen gathering part, of the flowering crocus. So, it takes thousands of flowers to produce an appreciable amount of herbal medicine.

Traditionally used for depression in countries where it grows. Scientists have found saffron to be as effective as a prescription antidepressant medication. Yet, saffron has additional health benefits.

This study suggests its potential in digestive disorders. Including fatty liver, hyperlipidaemia, ulcerative colitis and other digestive diseases.

This review discusses the use of saffron in several nervous system disorders. It suggests significant anti-epileptic activity. As well as improving cognition in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, saffron was as effective as the drug donezipil for Alzheimer’s. While, in another study, saffron provided some protection against Parkinson’s disease development.

Another study discusses how antioxidants in saffron reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Lowering cholesterol and strengthening circulation.

However, getting back to depression. In this study, people with major depression took 30mg saffron daily for six weeks. In this time the herbal remedy was able to reduce their depressive symptoms. The potency of the remedy was comparable to the medication, fluoxetine and imipramine. Other studies support these results. For example, this study found saffron reduced symptoms of moderate and mild depression. As did this meta-analysis of several trials. 

St. John’s wort

This remedy is probably one of the most researched herbal medicines. Though the research is not always favourable. Some data suggests treatment with St. John’s wort may be as effective as SSRIs with fewer side effects.

It is likely that St. John’s wort is better suited to the types of depression related to poor gut health. As well as hormone-related depression such as some women experience during perimenopause. As I suggested earlier, poor gut health is a major contributor to depression. Since inflammatory chemicals from the gut, travel in the bloodstream around the body. In susceptible people, these inflammatory chemicals can affect the brain.

St. John’s wort is an anti-inflammatory herb. It was traditionally used for problems of the digestive system, including inflammatory conditions. Since we now know that there is a connection between the gut and the brain, this makes a lot of sense. By influencing gut health, this herb also affects brain health, via the gut-brain axis. Also, the neurotransmitter serotonin is made in the gut as well as the brain. In fact, 95% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut.

St. John’s wort is also a wonderful tonic for the liver. Speeding up the liver’s detoxification systems. This is why it has notable interactions with many medications. Actually, it is helping the liver detoxify the blood. In doing so it clears these medications from the body. Of course, this means if you are taking prescription medication, you may need to avoid taking St. John’s wort.

Otherwise, St. John’s wort has a very good safety profile. With fewer side effects than those of conventional antidepressants. Though it is recommended that excessive sun exposure is avoided whilst using St. John’s wort. Since it can increase the skin’s photosensitivity.

This study shows St. John’s wort tablets as an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression. Researchers suggest the herb may also be effective in moderate to severe depression. In fact, they propose St. John’s wort may help prevent a recurrence of depression.

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