Herbs for depression can help treat this painful and unfortunate reality in today's society. Depression can be brought about by a number of physical and chemical influences, and severely affects an individual's well-being and ability to function productively.
What is depression ?
According to Webster's Dictionary, depression is defined as : a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies.
Depression is the most common of all mood disorders, affecting an astounding 18.8 million Americans in a given year.
There are many options available for treating depression, with opinions varying widely as to which method is the most effective. Medications such as Zoloft and Prozac are very popular, but as with many prescription drugs, there are always side effects to contend with.
According to some experts these products are not very effective, because they tend to "block" these depressive feelings rather than treat them head on. They provide a "temporary fix", which is undone shortly after the person stops taking the medication.
There have been studies performed stating that the basis for depression could be tied to an inadequate amount of essential nutrients reaching the brain. This results in poor health of the neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that directly influence all bodily functions.
Herbs for Depression
Herbal treatment of depression has become more and more popular, as people are looking for alternatives to the "stigma" of being on Prozac, or undergoing controversial treatments like electroshock therapy.
Many of our editors have had success with herbs for depression - herbs that actually "feed" neurotransmitters and stimulate serotonin production, both of which have improved their sense of well-being, and thus decreased the feeling of depression.
Best Herbs for Depression
Gingko Biloba - Indigenous to China, gingko has been used widely to increase memory and mental alertness due to its ability to increase blood circulation to the brain. This improved mental ability helps alleviate feeling of depression, especially in the elderly.
Gotu Kola - native to Asia and Europe, gotu kola has been used to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and varicose veins. However it has also been shown to help with mental functioning and concentration, helping quell feelings of depression.
Rosemary - popular in culinary dishes, rosemary can be very helpful in treating mild to moderate depression and can improve sense of well-being.
Schisandra - in addition to improving mental strength, schisandra can relieve depression and irritability.
Other Important Nutrients for Treating Depression
Vitamin B6, B12 and Folic Acid - this class of vitamins have been shown to fight depression and improve sense of well-being.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids - found in fish oils, these fatty acids have proven to be more successful than conventional medications in boosting mood and alleviating depression.
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