Natural Health Remedies for Depression

Herbs for depression have been known to work wonders and many people turn to them as an alternative natural remedy for helping with depression.

Herbal remedies for depression are natural and help to restore better health. They are natural to the environment, unlike synthetic drugs or man-made prescription antidepressants. But before you start taking any kind of natural depression remedies it is always worthwhile to get a physical medical check to see if your body has any organs or functions that are causing your depression.

There are many different herbal or home remedies that help with depression as well as homeopathic treatments. There are literally thousands of nature’s remedies with all sorts of mixtures that can help someone who is depressed. It is a good idea to search for the best depression remedy that suits the individual.

Below are a few remedies to help reduce or ease the symptoms of depression naturally.

Herbs for Depression

St. John’s Wort herbal help for depression

The herb St. John’s Wort has been known to help in cases of depression and has been researched extensively in trials and shown to have significant effects similar to prescription anti-depressants but without the dangerous side effects.

Take one 300 mg capsule, three times daily, of a standard extract that contains 0.3 percent hypericin and 5 percent hyperforin which are the main active compounds.

Allow 6 weeks for the herb to start working.

Caution: Do not take St. John’s Wort during pregnancy or with other medicines without first consulting your doctor.

Herbs Remedies for Anxiety and Stress

Chamomile and catnip herbal tea

Chamomile has been long used in herbal medicine for its relaxing and calming effects and catnip also produces a mild tranquillizing effect that can help with anxiety and stress. You need will need:

250 ml of boiling water

1 teaspoon of dried chamomile

1 teaspoon of dried catnip

Pour the boiling water over the herbs. Cover and steep (soak) for ten minutes and strain. You can sweeten the tea with honey if you like and have three cups per day.

Improve stress resistance with ginseng

Siberian ginseng is a herb used for stimulating and is excellent for strengthening the adrenal glands – the glands that help the body cope with stress.

Chronic stress impairs the adrenals causing them to be tired or burned out and can lead to a weakened immune system. A weak immune system causes health problems such as chronic fatigue and lethargy as well as other physical problems, so it’s always worth getting a physical examination to check your adrenal glands are functioning properly.

Ginseng helps the body adjust more easily to physical and emotional stress. Buy an extract that has been standardized for eleutheroside (the main active compound in ginseng), and take approx 250 mg twice a day. It is safe to take for up to six weeks.

Caution: If you have high blood pressure, consult your doctor before taking any type of ginseng.

Health Article: Natural Remedies for Depression