Herbs for Depression and Techniques That Help Depression
Feeling tired, like you don’t want to get out of bed in the morning almost like you are shutting down in a sense? … You are not alone. Depression among other mood disorders are affecting millions of people globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are about 280 million people in the world who have depression. This includes the 5% of the world’s adult population and 5.7% of these adults above the age of 60.
There is no one size fits all treatment for depression. Many try multiple forms of treatment like antidepressants, vitamins or supplements before they find what works best for them. The best way to figure out treatment is to see a healthcare professional that can guide you along your path to wellbeing. There are all sorts of forms of therapy including talk therapy, psychotherapy, and even group therapy that can help depending on your situation. At Scottsdale Recovery Center® and Detox, we even offer art therapy to our clients, yoga, and mediation. For those seeking relief from depression, some have even turned to herbs and techniques as forms of treatment.
Herbs for Depression
Herbs have stood the test of time and have been used to treat different kinds of conditions. For many centuries, herbal remedies were used to help relieve depression. There seems to be limited research on herb effectiveness however, if you are curious about trying them, talk to your Doctor first to get their feedback. Below we will dive into some herbs that have been correlated with mood disorders.
Rhodiola
Known to be a flowering plant that’s native to the Arctic European regions, Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb. This means it helps your body adapt to stress even when taken in small amounts. Research shows that it is effective in treating mild to moderate cases of depression. It is also found safe to use with Zoloft (sertraline) and is effective in relieving symptoms of major depressive disorders in one study conducted in 2020. Talk to your health care provider about this herb for sure.
Saffron
Let’s just start off with it’s so good! Saffron is not only used as a spice but is also an effective medicine used since ancient times. This rich crimson spice was found to be helpful in treating symptoms of major depressive disorder. It is also an effective dietary supplement that can help mild to moderate cases of depression compared to placebos. Saffron has similar effects to therapeutic doses of antidepressant medications like fluoxetine (Prozac) and imipramine (Tofranil). There are no known negative effects in terms of drug interaction with saffron but if you are allergic to olives, saffron must be avoided.
Maca
Maca is a plant found native to Peru and is ground up to use as a fine powder. In a study conducted in 2015, this plant was discovered to reduce symptoms of depression in postmenopausal women. A study on rats also shows that Maca has antidepressant effects and helps increase their memory and learning.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s wort is a flowering plant found in Europe. It is effective in improving moods for a short period and according to research, can work well with SSRI medications and can help mild to moderate depression.
There are certain antidepressant medications that should not be used with St. John’s wort as it causes serotonin syndrome. As always talk with your Doctor about this herb. Do not use this herb with the following:
- nefazodone (Serzone)
- paroxetine (Paxil)
- sertraline (Zoloft)
- citalopram (Celexa)
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- fluvoxamine (Luvox)
.
Turmeric
Turmeric has been known for many medicinal purposes. This Indian spice has a main active ingredient called curcumin which is responsible for helping treat different ailments. It is also found to help treat depression with no adverse effects. With further research, turmeric looks promising in treating major depressive disorder.
Chai hu
Chai hu is a flowering plant used in Chinese Traditional Medicine for more than 2,000 years. Studies suggested that the herb’s antioxidant component is responsible for its antidepressant effects. In recent studies, Chai hu is found to be safe and effective to use. It is also found effective for those with post-stroke depression or postpartum depression in women.
Other Techniques for Helping with Depression
We’ve covered some of the vitamins, herbs, and plants used for depression … what about some healthy habits or techniques? The following techniques are helpful in relieving symptoms of major depressive disorders, anxiety, PTSD, and many other mood disorders. Add these to your mental hygiene list of to-dos to improve your mental health!
Yoga
Breathe in and breathe out. Yoga is a practice that has been around for centuries. It helps improve symptoms of depression and anxiety. Studies suggested that the more you practice yoga, the more you feel better. However, it cannot be used as a stand-alone treatment for therapy-resistant depression. There are so many different types of yoga for all different skill levels so don’t be afraid to hit the mat and reap the benefits!
Exercise
Exercise, exercise, do your exercise! Staying fit is not the only goal for exercising; it is also to improve your mood. Studies show that doing regular exercise can reduce the symptoms of depression. It helps release endorphins, which is a chemical in your brain that makes you feel good! Hike, bike, walk or do whatever it is you like to do to get that body moving and making mental shifts!
Meditation
Our minds are sometimes filled with so many thoughts that we end up feeling anxious or depressed. If you find yourself in this situation, try to meditate. According to studies, meditation can help reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is also helpful in keeping you calm and relaxed. According to research, pairing meditation with physical exercise, you will see a significant change in your moods within 6-12 months.
Remember to always consult with medical professionals when treating mood disorders and determining the best treatment. Since 2009, Scottsdale Recovery and Detox Center® has served as Arizona’s premier addiction center to those locally as well as nationwide. We believe wellbeing is both physical and mental and provide a vast array of services to those trying to recover, recognizing that no two people are exactly the same. While treating drug addiction and alcoholism, we aim to get to the core issues regarding mental health that many struggle with. We want our clients to have a future and path forward that is supported so that they don’t relapse. SRC® has 6 facilities that are located in Scottsdale, Arizona, and range from Detox, Inpatient, Residential, Intensive Outpatient, and Sober Living Services.
If you or a loved one are seeking support please connect with the SRC® team! We are here to help! Learn more by visiting scottsdalerecovery.com or call 1-888-NODRUGS.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/herbs-supplements-for-depression#our-picks
https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/natural-treatments
