Home Remedies and Herbs for Depression

Depression is a common but serious mood disorder characterized by a series of symptoms - including persistent feelings of sadness or “emptiness,” difficulty concentrating, and suicidal thoughts - that interfere with your day-to-day life.¹ These symptoms must be present for at least two weeks to be diagnosed with depression.¹ It is different from “the blues” and is not something you can just “snap out of,”² though medical treatments and depression herbs can help combat the symptoms.

What Causes Depression?

Depression is a complex disorder, and many factors are involved. Some known factors include:

• Your genetic makeup and family history of depression.
• Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one or loss of a job.
• Trauma, which may have occurred earlier in life.
• Underlying medical issues, such as a recent stroke or cancer.
• Certain medications, such as heart and blood pressure medicine.⁴

Depression Symptoms

The range of symptoms that help characterize depression include:

• Feelings of emptiness or hopelessness
• Irritability and angry outbursts
• Loss of interest
• Lack of energy
• Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia
• Changes in appetite
• Slowed speech, body movements, and thinking
• Trouble concentrating
• Suicidal thoughts
• Unexplained physical issues, such as back pain⁵

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Depression

Depression is often treated through antidepressants or talk therapy.⁶ However, there are also depression natural treatment options that can assist. Start by trying these depression home remedies:

• St. John’s Wort - This is thought to be one of the best depression natural cures. It’s recommended you take 600 to 1,200 mg a day of standard 0.3% hypericin as a depression alternatives treatment.7 However, you’ll want to talk with your doctor first to see if this depression alternative treatment will interact with any medications you’re currently taking.
• Maca - If you’re looking for depression herbal supplements, try maca. It’s a root that grows in the Andes mountains that can help balance hormones like serotonin. A teaspoon per day is all you need to enjoy these depression herbs.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids - Omega-3 fatty acids help give the brain extra nutrients to promote the secretion of hormones that help combat depression. You can consume omega-3 fatty acids through foods like fish or through supplements to enjoy the effects of this depressional natural treatment.
• 5-HTP - 5-HTP is a naturally occurring amino acid that aids in the biosynthesis of serotonin, which helps combat depression. This depression alternative treatment can be taken orally in pill form.
• Magnesium - Magnesium is a chemical element that is favored among depression home remedies. It acts as a depression natural treatment by impacting several systems associated with depression.8 You can take advantage of depression alternatives like magnesium by eating a healthy diet or by taking depression herbal supplements in pill form.
• Vitamin B6 - Depression natural cures like taking vitamin B6 are popular because B vitamins help correct deficiencies associated with depression.⁷

References

1. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression/index.shtml
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/definition/con-20032977
3. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/depression
4. http://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/what-causes-depression
5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/basics/symptoms/CON-20032977
6. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/depression.html
7. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-1200006
8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23950577