Blessed Herbs For Depression

Herbs for depression may become necessary.

Do you remember a time in your life when you felt perfectly happy and content?

For some of us, it's difficult to spend an entire day without feeling low or bored at some point. But when we're down more often than we're up, we can be a burden to ourselves as well as to those around us.

That's when it is time to consider herbs for depression.

Alternative therapy for depression

Serotonin and norepinephrine are the brain hormones that give us a sense of peace and comfort; dopamine is the chemical that gives us the ability to feel joy and passion. But all of these medications have side effects and, possibly, unknown long-term effects on personality.

Clearly, for most of us, the answer lies in a variety of natural alternatives that can turn negative into positive.

Fortunately, there are several herbs for depression that can help you fight mild to moderate melancholy and anxiety without side effects.

Anxiety herbal remedies

Chamomile

Function: Calmative, soothes nervousness, restlessness and anxiety

Dosage: Tincture: 10 - 40 drops 3x/day Capsules: Up to 5 (300 - 400 mg.) Tea: Steep 1/2 - 1 tsp. dried flowers in 1 cup hot water. Drink 3 - 4 cups a day

Comments: No known side effects; usually feel mood boost within a month of taking.

Kava kava

Function: Sedative widely used for alleviation of anxiety, stress and restlessness but not clinical depression

Dosage: Tincture: 15 - 30 drops in water up to 3x/day Capsules: Up to 6 (400 - 500 mg.) capsules a day containing 60 - 120 mg. of kava pyrones (or `lactones') a day

Comments: Not recommended for pregnant or nursing women or people on Rx antidepressants. Use for no more than three months at a time; high dosages or long-term use can cause yellowing of the skin or rashes.

Lemon balm

Function: Calmative, good anti-dote for sadness and melancholy

Dosage: Capsules: Up to 9 (300 - 400 mg.) capsules per day Tea: Steep 1 1/2 - 4 tsp. dried leaf in 1 cup hot water for 10-15 minutes 3x/day

Comments: No known side effects. For general restlessness, drink a tea made with half-portion lemon balm and half-portion dried chamomile flowers.

Longan berries

Function: Improves energy; good for periods of low energy and sluggishness

Dosage: Fruit: 10-15 9rams of dried berries eaten per day (about 3 oz.)

Comments: Can also be cooked into soups or mixed into breakfast cereal; use as substitute for raisins.

St. John's wort

Function: Clinically proven to relieve mild to moderate depression

Dosage: Tincture: 15 - 40 drops 3x/day Capsules: 300 mg. 3x/day standardized to 0.3 percent hypericin, between meals Tea: Steep 1/2 - 1 tsp. dried flowering tops (0.2 - 1 percent hypericin)in 1 cup hot water for 10 - 1.5 minutes up

Comment: Avoid sun as much as possible and wear sunscreen and sunglasses (fair-skinned people may develop hives or blister in the sun). If no results after 6 weeks, increase dosage up to 1,800 mg. a day.

Mental health disorder

If you're currently on medication for depression or anxiety, do not start taking any herbs for depression without consulting your health provider, to prevent any drug interactions.

And don't stop taking your current medication without professional supervision.

Return from Herbs For Depression to Alternative Therapy Treatment

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