Depression is
a serious mood disorder with symptoms that range from mild to debilitating and
potentially life-threatening. Some people look to manage depression with herbal
remedies, rather than with medication a doctor prescribes.
The most
recent data from the National Institute of Mental Health suggest that in the
United States, 6.7 percent of people experienced a major depressive episode in
2016.
Medications
and counseling are conventional ways to alleviate the symptoms of depression.
However, some herbs and supplements may also help.
In this
article, we look at the common herbs and supplements with links to the
treatment of depression and discuss their safety and effectiveness.
Herbs and
supplements
The use of
complementary therapies continues to gain popularity, as people look for more
natural methods of managing their health.
However,
herbal does not always mean safe or effective, and knowing which products to
choose can save a lot of time and money.
In the United
States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) do not monitor herbs in the same
way as food and drugs. As a result, manufacturers are not always 100 percent
clear about the quality or purity of their product.
Research
suggests promise for some supplements in treating mild-to-moderate depression.
These are some of the supplements that people most widely use:
1. St. John's
wort
St. John's
wort is also known as Hypericum perforatum. This plant has been a common herbal
mental health treatment for hundreds of years. However, people must use caution
if they chose to try it as a potential treatment for depression.
A 2016 systematic
review found that St. John's wort was more effective than a placebo for
treating mild to moderate depression and worked almost as well as
antidepressant medications.
However, this
review of eligible studies did not find research on the long-term effects of
St. John's wort on severe depression.
The authors
also advised caution against accepting the results wholesale, as the herb has
adverse effects that many of the studies did not consider.
St John's wort
can also interfere with the effects of antidepressant medication, meaning that
it may make symptoms worse or reduce the effectiveness of conventional
treatment.
While St.
John's wort might help some people, it does not show consistently beneficial
effects.
For these
reasons, people should not use St. John's wort instead of conventional treatment.
Neither should they try St. John's wort to treat moderate to severe depression.
2. Ginseng
This
supplement comes from the gnarled root of the American or Asian ginseng plant.
Siberian, Asian, and Eleuthero ginseng are different plants with different
active ingredients.
Practitioners
of Chinese medicine have used ginseng for thousands of years to help people
improve mental clarity and energy and reduce the effects of stress.
Some people
associate these properties of ginseng with potential solutions for the low
energy and motivation that can occur with depression.
However, the
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) advise
that none of the many studies that people have conducted on ginseng have been
of sufficient quality to form health recommendations.
3. Chamomile
A study in 2012 reviewed
data about chamomile, which comes from the Matricaria recutita plant, and its
role in helping to manage depression and anxiety.
The results
show that chamomile produced more significant relief from depressive symptoms
than a placebo. However, further studies are necessary to confirm the health
benefits of chamomile in treating depressive symptoms.
4. Lavender
Lavender oil
is a popular essential oil. People typically use lavender oil for relaxation
and reducing anxiety and mood disturbances.
A 2013 review
of various studies suggested that lavender might have significant potential in
reducing anxiety and improving sleep.
Lavender has
mixed results in studies that assess its impact on anxiety. However, its
effectiveness as a treatment for ongoing depression has little high-quality
evidence in support at the current time.
5. Saffron
Some studies
cite using saffron as a safe and effective measure for controlling the symptoms
of depression, such as this non-systematic review from
2018.
However, more
research would help confirm the possible benefits of saffron for people with
depression. Scientists also need to understand any possible adverse effects
better.
6. SAMe
Some
supplements have shown promising effects on depression symptoms. However, many
investigations confirming their benefits are low quality.
SAMe is short
for S-adenosyl methionine. It is a synthetic form of a chemical that occurs
naturally in the body.
In 2016,
researchers reviewed all the randomized controlled trials on record for the use
of SAMe to treat depression in adults. They found
no significant difference between the effects of SAMe on depression
symptoms and those of a placebo.
However, they
also found that SAMe had about the same effectiveness as the common
antidepressants imipramine or escitalopram. Furthermore, it was better than a
placebo when the researchers mixed SAMe with selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor medications.
As with many
other studies into herbs and supplements, the investigations into the safety
and efficacy of SAMe are of low quality. More research is necessary to
determine its exact effect.
People use the
supplement in Europe as a prescription antidepressant. However, the FDA have
not yet approved this for use in the U.S.
7. Omega-3
fatty acids
In a 2015 systematic
review, researchers concluded that omega-3 fatty acid supplements are not
useful across the board as a depression treatment.
While the
study authors reported no serious side effects from the supplement, they also
advised that it would only be an effective measure in treatment for depression
that was due to omega-3 deficiency.
8. 5-HTP
Also known as
5-hydroxytryptophan, this supplement may be useful in regulating and improving
levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that
affects a person's mood.
5-HTP has
undergone a number of animal studies, and some, such as this review from 2016,
cite its potential as an antidepressant therapy. However, evidence of its
effects in human subjects is limited.
5-HTP is
available as an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement in the U.S. but may require a
prescription in other countries.
More research
is necessary, especially regarding concerns that it may cause serotonin
syndrome, a serious
neurological complication if a person takes 5-HTP in excess.
Supplement
manufacturers do not have to prove that their product is consistent. The dose
on the bottle may also be inaccurate.
People should
ensure they purchase herbs and supplements from a trusted manufacturer.
Symptoms of
depression
The symptoms
of depression include:
- ·
feelings of sadness or hopelessness
- ·
frustration and irritability
- ·
loss of interest in hobbies or activities that usually provide pleasure
- ·
sleep issues, whether too much sleep or insomnia
- ·
fatigue
- ·
changes in appetite
- ·
trouble concentrating
- ·
thoughts of death or suicide
- ·
physical symptoms, including headache and backache
Doctors
consider that a person must experience at least 5 of these symptoms, to a
disruptive extent, for at least 2 weeks to meet the criteria for a diagnosis of
depression.
When to see a
doctor
Seek medical
assistance if depression symptoms interfere with daily living.
If a person
feels any of these symptoms to the point that it interferes with daily living,
they should seek help from their doctor.
Medication and
therapies can help a person who is experiencing depression. People are advised
not to rely on herbs or supplements as a standalone line of treatment.
Depression
typically becomes worse over time and requires treatment to avoid its more
severe complications.
Anyone having
thoughts about suicide or self-harm should immediately seek emergency help,
either with their doctor or local hospital or by calling the Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(1-800-273-TALK).
If a loved one
or friend may be at risk of attempting suicide, stay with that person and call
for emergency assistance immediately.
The bottom
line
Herbal and
natural supplements may work well for some people. However, they are not an
adequate substitute for conventional treatment or for people who face a risk of
suicide or self-harm.
A person
taking herbal supplements must inform their doctor, as these have the potential
to cause side effects and interact with other drugs.
Depression is
a treatable illness, but an individual may need to try a few different options
when working out which treatment is most effective.
Source: here
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