Herbs For Depression
Depression is defined by Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary as "a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty with thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal thoughts or an attempt to commit suicide"(1). It is estimated that approximately 19 million Americans suffer from some form of depression, some cases more severe than others. Those who suffer from moderate to severe depression often seek treatment from their physicians who in turn prescribe anti-depressant medications that can produce side effects that are much worse than the disorder itself. For this reason, many are turning to alternative treatment options, including using herbs for depression.
Anti-depressants can produce side affects that actually worsen the symptoms of depression. Some of these side effects include but are not limited to drowsiness, fatigue, sexual dysfunction, agitation, violent behavior, and in severe cases, even suicide. Many do not experience these side effects but they can be deadly for those that do. It is bad enough to be stricken with such a debilitating disorder without having to worry about the serious consequences that could occur from taking a prescription drug.
Using herbs for depression may just be the answer to this growing problem. As more and more studies are conducted on the effectiveness of herbs and other natural health remedies for medicinal purposes, researchers are finding that they can indeed be just as beneficial as prescription drugs. Further more, they are also finding that herbal treatments do not produce nearly as many side effects as prescription drugs. This is great news for those suffering from depression.
There are several herbs that seem to be particularly effective for treating depression. They include St. John's Wort, Gingko Biloba, Kava Kava, Valerian Root, or 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan.) There are a few things to note before trying any of these. Keep in mind that if you do decide to try one of these herbs for depression you may react differently than someone else who has tried the same herb. In other words, what may work for one, might not work for another. It may take some trial and error before you find one that works for you. It is also important to realize that too much of anything is not a good thing. You can overdose on herbal remedies. Also, it is very important to consult your physician before you try any type of new medicinal treatment, natural or otherwise, because you never know how it may interact with other medications that you might be taking.
Depression is a serious and debilitating disorder for some. Add to it the side effects of manmade prescription drugs and it can be deadly. Herbs are an all-natural alternative treatment option. If you would like to learn more about herbs for depression, including what they are, where they came from, and how they work, click the links in this article or use the links on the left.
(1)"depression." Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Merriam-Webster, Inc. 30 Mar. 2008. dictionary.com. < http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/depression>
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