Using Herbs for Depression
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Herbal Treatments for Depression
There are herbal treatments for depression. This blog is about the use of herbs as antidepressants for depression.
Caution about Using Herbs
Before we begin with the content for this post, I feel I must give you a word of caution.
Any program you plan to use that will affect your health or well-being, requires that you take the precaution of discussing it with your medical doctor before you start.
Like the foods that we eat, herbs can interact with any medications that you may be taking if you are being treated for depression or another medical condition. You definitely want to avoid and complications that could affect your health.
Therefore, it is mandatory that you check with your doctor before using any herbs, to be sure that they will not adversely react with the medications you are currently taking. Your doctor and you should formulate a good plan for using these antidepressant herbs as a part of your treatment for depression
Background on Depression
Just what is depression? In their book, The Herbal Drugstore, Dr. Linda B White, M.D. and Steven Foster state that depression is a condition where four or more symptoms persist for at least one month. There are eight symptoms for depression listed on page 199 of the book. Any four of these eight symptoms persisting for at least one month will mean that the person manifesting them is depressed. These symptoms are:
- Feelings of worthlessness, self-reproach, or inappropriate guilt
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
- Poor appetite with weight loss or increased appetite with weight gain
- Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping more than usual)
- Physical hyperactivity or inactivity
- Loss of interest or pleasure in usual activities, or a decrease in sexual drive
- Loss of energy or feelings of fatigue
- Diminished ability to think or concentrate
Often these symptoms are accompanied by unbalanced physical functions of the body as well. For example, constipation and changes in the menstrual cycle are two common physical functions that are impacted by depression. Also, weakness, sluggishness and feeling cold are other physical function symptoms.
Depression can be a brief episode in a person’s life or it can be a lifelong battle or struggle to overcome it. Major upheavals in life such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, the end of a close relationship, or moving to a different and strange city to begin a new job or life can cause episodes of depression.
Treatment for such episodes of depression isn’t really required unless the depression is prolonged and severe enough to make the person nonfunctional. When depression is severe and prolonged, a person should seek a thorough medical evaluation and treatment.
Also, depression can be agonizing and painful. Some people who are severely depressed are “so down in the dumps,” that just living from day to day seems totally hopeless. Indeed, they may feel they can’t stand to face another day of living. So, their thoughts may turn to death and suicide.
We need to be aware of this pain and what it may lead to in any severely depressed person we know – relatives, friends or casual acquaintances. When such a person has these thoughts, we should be keen enough to be aware of them because we may be able to help. We should firmly encourage the severely depressed person to get immediate help.
Better yet, we should take that person to where they can get that immediate help. For example, call their medical doctor or a local crisis or suicide prevention hot line. Then, immediately follow their advice to get the help the severely depressed person so desperately needs.
Medical treatment for severe depression consists of a process. First the person undergoes a thorough medical and psychological evaluation. Then, the results of the evaluation is discussed the doctor and the patient. Afterwards, it is followed by treatment.
The treatment may require hospitalization at first. Being admitted to a hospital is followed when the person needs close observation by doctors, therapists, and medical staff. The goal is for a severely depressed person to be able to focus on reducing their depression enough that they can return to their life outside of the hospital.
Some severely depressed persons may have a physical condition that is discovered during the evaluation process. Their doctor may prescribe medication to treat this condition and thereby reduce the depression while the person is hospitalized. Since it takes a while for the medication to work, the doctor closely watches its effect on the person.
Once the medication appears to be working, it may become a regular prescription for the person. In other words, it is a part of the changes needed to overcome the severe depression. Other changes may include: regular exercise; choosing and actively pursuing a hobby; actively socializing and developing positive friendships; and attending therapy sessions regularly.
Herbs for Depression
We know that there are many drugs now being used to treat depression, many of them successfully. However, there are many herbs that can be used to treat mild to moderate depression just as well. The purpose of this article is to make you aware of these herbs and what they do.
Important Warning: If you do decide to try herbs and you are taking antidepressant drugs:
- Be sure to discuss what herbs you want to use with your doctor before you start using any herbs; and
- Be sure to work with your doctor before you make any changes to the treatment your doctor prescribes for you.
According to Dr. Linda B White, M.D. and Steven Foster in their book, The Herbal Drugstore, there are some herbs used to treat depression that “can have harmful interactions with commonly prescribed antidepressants; others take time to show their full effects.” For these reasons, please be sure to work with your doctor.
Now, let’s examine the herbs for depression. These are the herbs recommended and discussed by Dr. White and Steven Foster in The Herbal Drugstore.
Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
You may have heard of this herb before since it is commonly used to treat mild to moderate depression. This herb is really a tonic and overall health booster for the entire nervous system. Over 40 scientific studies have been done proving the effectiveness of this herb for treating depression.
All of these studies showed that St. John’s wort is effective for use in treating mild to moderate depression. It appeared to work in about 70% of the cases. Also, it works as well as the prescription drugs without the side effects. However, in all the studies it took St. John’s wort at least two weeks to have any effect. And for some people it may take up to one month.
Take note of this precaution. Do not use Saint John’s wort as a tea because the fresh leaves lose their potency as they dry.
You can take it in capsule form purchased from a health food store. Be sure to get 300 milligram capsules that are standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin. Take the capsules in divided doses with meals three (3) times a day for a total of 900 milligrams per day. If you suffer from insomnia, take one dose at bedtime.
The reason you need to take St. John’s wort with meals is because if you haven’t eaten anything it may upset your stomach.
Or you can take the Saint John’s wort tincture ¼ to 1 teaspoon three (3) times a day.
Oats (Avena sativa)
This is the same plant that gives you oats for your morning oatmeal hot cereal. Oats are soothing and nourishing, a wonderful tonic for the nervous system. This plant is not only used for depression, but also for anxiety, debility, fatigue, and stress.
Oat seeds have the strongest medicinal qualities, especially when they are harvested at what farmers call “the milk stage.” The reason it got this name is because when you squeeze the green oat seeds a drop of milky white fluid appears. So, when you buy dried oat seeds for tea, look for whole pale green to yellow seeds rather than something that looks like chopped straw.
Use an oat seed tea to treat depression. Steep 1 tablespoon of oat seeds in one (1) cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink three (3) cups of tea each day.
Or you can take ½ to 1 teaspoon of oats tincture three (3) times per day.
Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia)
This is a lovely, fragrant, relaxing and uplifting herb that has a relaxing and nourishing effect on the body’s nervous system. Its nourishing and soothing qualities relieve both anxiety and depression. Lavender promotes refreshing sleep as well.
Given this lavender’s wonderful smell you should consider using the essential oil by applying it directly to the skin and breathing in some of its aroma. Lavender’s essential oil is one of the few essential oils that may be applied directly to the skin. Just inhaling the aroma of lavender has an antidepressant effect. Or try adding it to a warm bath. To use for bathing, add 10 to 12 drops of the essential oil of lavender to the bath water.
Use a lavender tea to treat depression. Steep 1 teaspoon of lavender flowers in one (1) cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Drink one (1) cup of this tea three (3) times per day.
Or you can take 1/8 to ½ teaspoon of lavender tincture three (3) times daily.
Note: The essential oil of lavender is one of the very few essential oils that may be applied directly to the skin.
Caution! Do not use herb essential oils internally.
Vervain (Verbena officinalis)
Vervain is another herb that is used traditionally in the treatment of depression. However, there have not been any scientific studies conducted to prove that it works.
Yet, vervain does have nourishing and balancing effects on the entire nervous system. It soothes and calms the nervous system because it is a gentle relaxing remedy. Herbalists often recommend this herb because they consider it to be especially helpful when the depression is related to chronic illness. In addition, it is beneficial in helping to heal damage to the liver.
Use a vervain tea to treat depression. Make the tea by steeping 1 teaspoon of the dried herb in one (1) cup of hot water for 5 to10 minutes. Drink one cup of tea three (3) times each day.
Or you can take 1/8 to 1 teaspoon of vervain tincture every three (3) times daily.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo bilboa)
This is an amazing herb that is beneficial for the treatment of cardiovascular and nervous system diseases. It enhances and improves nerve cell function as well as increasing the blood supply to the brain.
Experts say that ginkgo can prove to be an excellent treatment for depression especially for older folks. These same experts note that ginkgo may counteract age-related decreases in the receptors for serotonin in these older persons.
In addition, it can be very useful for the treatment of depression in two groups of elderly: those with some mild decreases in intellectual functions; and those who have experienced stroke or other nervous system diseases.
In younger people it may help when there are prominent memory or concentration problems.
Use capsules purchased from a reputable health food or supplement store. The recommended dosage is 40 to 60 milligrams of standardized extract capsules three (3) times daily.
Or you can take ¼ to ½ teaspoon of ginkgo tincture three (3) times per day.
Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum)
This herb is especially useful for daytime use and it reduces the anxiety that may accompany depression without sedating or decreasing mental functioning.
There has been a significant amount of scientific research performed on this important anti-anxiety herb from the South Pacific Islands with positive results supporting its use. In addition, kava-kava’s reduced anxiety effect does not diminish intellectual functioning. As a matter of fact, it may even improve intellectual ability, such as memory, according to one study.
For treatment, purchase good kava-kava 400 to 500 milligram capsules from a reputable health food or supplement store. Take up to six of the 400 or 500 milligram capsules per day.
Or you can take 15 to 30 drops of kava-kava tincture up to three (3) times a day
More Herbs and another Treatment
There are some additional herbs as well as a method of treatment presented in the book, Herbal Defense by Robyn Landis with Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa. This book’s approach is different because it gives another perspective on depression treatment using herbs.
Up to this point, I have given information taken from Western (or European) Herbalism. Now, I’ll give you some more information, this time from the book, Herbal Defense. The authors of this book present information about the Ayurvedic (or Indian) Herbalism treatment for depression.
First, they begin with a very positive discussion of Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Then they recommend an extract of the herb in a 300 milligram capsule using the same dosage three (3) times a day that was recommended in The Herbal Drugstore.
However, they say that the herb can be taken as a tea using ½ ounce of the dried herb per day. And finally, they suggest from 10 to 12 whole herb capsules can be taken daily.
Next, Ginkgo (Ginkgo bilboa) is discussed. Their conclusion is that the herb is useful in treating depression, particularly in older patients.
Their recommended dose starts at 120 milligrams per day, which is the same as recommended in The Herbal Drugstore. However, Herbal Defense does state that in one study the dosage given was 240 milligrams per day and that it initially caused dizziness or headaches. So, they suggest if 240 milligrams is going to be the dose, start with 120 milligrams and work up to the 240milligram dosage.
The next herb is a new one — Coleus (Plectranthus barbatus). This native Indian – Ayurvedic – herb has demonstrated that it is an antidepressant in studies involving animals.
Herbal Defense recommends a dosage of 50 milligrams of the coleus extract two (2) to three (3) times a day, or four (4) to eight (8) whole herb capsules per day.
Other herbs are discussed, but there are no dosages given, nor are there any further descriptions of these herbs. The authors do caution against using all of the herbs simultaneously.
Rather, they suggest that just a few be selected by the person and approved by their medical doctor. The herbs are divided into daytime and nighttime remedies and include the following:
Daytime Remedies – Herbs
- Cola [Kola Nut] (Cola acuminata)
- Guarana [Guarana Seed] (Paullina cupana)
- Yohimbe [Yohimbe Bark] (Coryanthe yohimbe)
- Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
- Fo-Ti Root (Polygonum multiflorum)
- Licorice [Licorice Root] (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Warning! Some people find licorice too stimulating. If you have high blood pressure, heart or liver disease; are pregnant; or taking diuretics or digitalis-based heart medications avoid using licorice.
Nighttime Remedies – Herbs
- Valerian [Valerian Root] (Valeriana officinalis)
- Hops [Hops Leaf] (Humulus lupulus)
- Skullcap [Skullcap Leaf] (Scutellaria galericulata)
In addition, Herbal Defense recommends vitamins and minerals, amino acids, and other foods for daytime and nighttime. These include the following:
Daytime Remedies – Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamin B1 – 100 milligrams
- Vitamin B6 – 100 milligrams
- Vitamin B complex – 50 milligrams
Daytime Remedies – Amino Acids
- l-phenylalanine – 1,500 milligrams
- or l-tyrosine – 1,500 milligrams
Daytime Remedies – Other Foods
- Chilies especially Red Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum)
- Flaxseed Oil (cold pressed)
Nighttime Remedies – Vitamins and Minerals
- Calcium – 1,000 milligrams
- and/or Magnesium – 500 milligrams
Nighttime Remedies – Amino Acids
- GABA (gamma-aminobutyric-acid)
Nighttime Remedies – Other Foods
- Celery [Celery Juice] (Apium graveolens)
Summary of Using Herbs for Depression
That completes our look at the herbs that are used to treat depression. We looked at herbs that were recommended by Dr. Linda B. White, M.D. with Steven Foster in their book, The Herbal Drugstore and Robyn Landis with Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa in their book, Herbal Defense.
I hasten to add that this is just a beginning. There will, no doubt, be more herbs discovered that can be used effectively in the treatment of depression.
We are sure that we will find some more of these herbs during the course of researching other medicinal or even culinary uses of these marvelous plants. That is one thing that makes the study and use of herbs so exciting!
A Final Reminder – a Caution about Using Herbs Again
Remember, before you use any of these herbs, be sure to consult with your doctor and review your plans with him or her. In addition, you may wish to consult with a qualified herbalist.
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