5 Amazing Herbs to Beat Depression

A Natural Way to Beat Depression: Herbs and Herbal Supplements

Dealing with depression is never easy. While many people will suffer from some type of depression at some point in their life, it is not always easy to decide what to do about it. While there are medications on the market available to help with this problem, many people do not want to or don’t feel comfortable taking medication on a daily basis. Is this your situation? You aren’t alone!

Instead of jumping right into the medical route, why not first look into some of these herbs and herbal supplements that are known for their depression-lessening effects? Some you may of heard of, some are more rare, but all are known to be helpful. Take a look at these 5 herbal supplements for depression, and see what might be helpful for you.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is likely the most popular herbal supplement known to treat depression. You’ve probably heard of it before, and that is not surprising. This herb, or plant, has been used for thousands of years to treat depression. Since its stuck around this long, it’s at least worth a short to see if it works for you. However it’s important to note that this is likely only effective in treating mild forms of depression. If you suffer from severe depression, this will likely not give you enough of a benefit that it will be seen as successful.

So how does it work? In fact, it works similarly to several antidepressant medications. This herb is said to increase levels of serotonin, the “feel good” chemical in the brain. People who suffer from depression tend to have low levels of serotonin and can benefit by simply increasing the amount of this chemical. This herbal supplement may interfere with other medications, so it is best you check with your doctor before starting this supplement.

SAM-e

This next supplement is actually something that is formed naturally in the body, although it can also be manufactured in a lab. Because it naturally is found in the body, many people prefer this to taking some sort of foreign drug. This chemical, which in full is called S-adenosylmethionine, is actually known to be a mood-boosting chemical. For this reason, it is an obvious choice when looking at supplements to treat depression.

Arctic Root

Arctic root, as the name implies, is a plant that grows in very cold or arctic temperature regions, including the Arctic and northern mountains in China. This resilient plant is known for its depression fighting properties and is a popular choice for many individuals who believe in the healing properties of plants and herbs. This root is actually classified as an adaptogen, which is simply a natural substance that helps improve your body’s reaction to stress.

In addition, this root is known to increase levels of important mood boosting chemicals in the brain such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This is again similar to how traditional antidepressant medications work, but you get the benefits of this being a completely natural plant.

Chamomile

You’ve heard of chamomile before, most popularly in the form of chamomile tea, but were you aware that this plant can help with fighting depression? In fact, this plant can be used in multiple forms, including as a tea, supplement, or even as an essential oil. This herb is great because it serves multiple purposes, and is incredibly safe and has almost no potential side effects or risks associated with it. Chamomile will help you with depression as well as other health issues like anxiety or an upset stomach. If you are looking for a safe, comforting supplement, this is a great option for you.

Curcumin

Finally, you may not have heard of curcumin, but you likely have heard of turmeric. The active ingredient in this popular spice is curcumin, and this is where all the benefits are found. Curcumin is known to help with a variety of issues, including depression and boosting memory. Curcumin works doubly as an anti-inflammatory, and also as a mood booster by increasing levels of serotonin and dopamine.

This is a great natural herbal supplement that poses little to no health risk, has no real potential side effects, and can even be taken in conjunction with antidepressants, should you choose to go on medication. However, with the benefits of this supplement you likely will see major improvement in mood when taking curcumin alone.

All of these supplements are known for their depression fighting properties. If you are looking to go a natural route to treat your depression, these are some great options for you to try. As always, you should consult with a doctor before taking any new supplement, even if it is an all natural, herbal product. Hopefully these herbal supplements for depression will help you and give you an improved quality of life.