Herbal supplements for depression.

[Lady Neysa]

Has anyone out there ever had any success with over the counter supplements for depression?  I'm going through so much personal turmoil right now, I feel that if one more thing happens I just might have a complete breakdown.    It's not a hormonal thing, there are real, legitimate stressors wreaking havoc.  It's not something I'm ready to go to the doctor over, not yet anyway. I've heard so many bad things about side effects of antidepressants and how they can make even worse symptoms than what you were trying to fix.  I've always believed that no amount of "magic happy pills" would make anything better because they're not fixing the underlying causes of why you need to take them in the first place.  It's just that right now I would do just about anything to not feel this way anymore..the fatigue,unmotivation, anxiety and  overwhelming sadness.  Barely feeling like I'm going through the motions of getting through the day... I'm so tired of it.  I realize I'm probably being overly dramatic. I'm not exactly going through anything life or death, but it does feel very life altering to me.  I'm just having such a hard time coping with everything right now, and need some relief. 
I'd like to try something that's generally known to be safe obviously, with little or no bad side affects, and hopefully not too expensive.  I'd be grateful for any advice..

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

St John's Wart... it takes a week or two to kick in but it does help. 

[Tygrkat]

A good Magnesium supplement can help, too, and (for both my husband and I) effects are noticeable soon after taking it. We use a powdered supplement called Natural Calm, but a good-quality capsule or tablet works just as well (powder is a little faster since your body doesn't have to break down the capsule/tablet). You can find it in the vitamin/natural stuff section of your local grocery store (probably), at your nearest health food store, or you can buy it online http://www.petergillham.com/wp/2009/11/natural-calm/.
The dosage that works best will vary from person to person, and you'll want to experiment with dosages when you are going to be home (or at least close to a bathroom) because too much and you'll want lots of good reading material, if you catch my drift...


Also, a good Omega 3-6-9 supplement can be helpful, as is L-Theanine, which is an amino acid found in green tea. (more info here: http://helpyourselftohealth.blogspot.com/2011/01/health-benefits-of-l-theanine.html )and both of those can be found in the vitamin section of your local grocery/drug or health food store, or places like GNC or The Vitamine Shoppe if you have one nearby.

My husband and I both use these supplement on a regular basis to help with stress, feelings of depression, and anxiety, and they help us quite a bit ~ hoping this info can help you as well, Lady Neysa  

[Leyla]

I get fantastic multi-vitamins from my chiropractor, super quality, and felt like I was on anti-depressants when I started them (having been on anti-d's in the past I could tell my base-line improved).
Don't forget your essential oils either. Lavendar is usally easily accessible and is good for stress. It can be placed on pulse points and/or rubbed into the soles of your feet. It works not just with the aroma element, but through skin absorption.
Ylang Ylang oil is supposed to be even more effective than lavendar, and is suggested for higher stress situations. It's a bit more expensive.
Many chiropractors carry high quality supplements and oils, so I'd check there first. You don't want to end up with something like those One-A-Day pills that are so full of binders you poop the pill out whole. Oils might be available in the vitamin stores, or they can often be found at organic food places, or in the organic area of your grocery store if they have one. I know locally that Coburns carries a selection of essential oils.

Good for you for looking to find ways to get better! It isn't an easy thing to do when you're feeling down.

[Tygrkat]

I get fantastic multi-vitamins from my chiropractor, super quality, and felt like I was on anti-depressants when I started them (having been on anti-d's in the past I could tell my base-line improved).

I forgot to mention that Leyla, and couldn't agree more about taking a good multi-vitamin to improve overall energy & well-being.

I take this one: http://www.feelalive.com/All-Adults and have been able to find it in grocery stores (vitamin/natural stuff section), some drugstores, and most health food stores.

I don't take it every day, but another thing that may help is a high-potency B complex supplement ~ I use the store brand from our local grocery store, and it *really* helps to even out stress levels and keep me calm, too.

[Welsh Wench]

Please be aware that herbal supplements can interact with any other medication you may be taking.

Best to consult with your pharmacist before taking any supplements no matter how harmless they appear to be.  

http://www.aafp.org/afp/990301ap/1239.html

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Please be aware that herbal supplements can interact with any other medication you may be taking.

Best to consult with your pharmacist before taking any.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/990301ap/1239.html

Good to remember... 

[Merlin the Elder]

When consulting a pharmacist, be sure to find one that is not opposed to herbal treatments, and one who is up on the possible interactions. Many doctors and pharmacists are against herbal treatments.  My wife, Nimue, is a pharmacist, and she's also big on natural medicines, but then she is part Cherokee. Our last doctor was also very much into natural treatments, and provided us with the recipe for a good treatment for bronchitis and colds (I'm on it now to fend off development of pneumonia).

I'll check with her and see if she knows a good treatment for depression...

[Anna Iram]

Merlin, looking forward to hearing what Nimue has to say. Curious too, if Neysa wouldn't mind the slight derailment to hear of your bronchitis remedy. It's unfortunate that herbal remedies are often discounted when a good many pharaceuticles are derivatives of these very herbs. But, yes I agree you have to be careful.


Neysa, my thoughts for what they are worth. Stress affects your whole self. Body, mind and spirit. So don't neglect to nurture the whole self while you are struggling with your current problems. Stop eating processed foods and processes sugars and caffeine. Treat yourself to a meal of beautiful colorful and vitamin filled fruits and veggies and good grains. Well prepared meats are good too if not fried or too overly sauced. Nurture your body. Agree completely with a good vitamin supplement. Look for one sourced from whole foods . Most health food stores will have a good selection. Be sure you are getting your B's . Stress really knocks these down and your immune system takes a beating. Yes also to Calm. Really good stuff. At the end of each day treat yourself to a hot epson salt bath and a cup of Calm. Agree lavender would make a great edition. Breath deep, relax and let the day go. Have a good cry if you feel like it. Or a good yell. Get primal. Have a talk with God and ask for an answer. Better yet, let God know you need the fix now! Wrap yourself up in your blankets or cuddle with a loved one and trust that it will be okay.

{{{Hugs}}}

[William_MacKean]

All have been tested many times.  All have been proven to do nothing.

If you truly have a problem, make an appointment with your doctor.  They'll probably start you with Trazadone (very cheap) while you wait a referral.

[Anna Iram]

Trazadone works by increasing seratonin levels. It also comes with a long list of warnings. To my mind there are much better alternatives. I know there are my who believe in these types of medications and if it's for them, well it's there choice but
It just feels wrong.

There is a great book out there call Potatoes not Prozac. It purports that one at night with the skin will aid your body in the production of seratonin while you sleep. No warning labels. Something to consider.

[Becky10]

Just my 2 cents: If you DO end up having to go on meds I would ask about lexapro(antidepressant/antianxiety), its really turned my life around and the side effects of it aren't really psychologically focused but more on like weight gain and such.

Either way I hope everything begins to work itself out for you! *hug*

[Merlin the Elder]

If you are on any anti-depressant now, you should NOT take any herbal treatment until you have been off of them for a week or 10 days. St John's Wort is CONTRAINDICATED for use with Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) anti-depressants.  St John's Wort has been shown to help as has Kava, but be aware that it will take longer for herbals to take effect.

All have been tested many times.  All have been proven to do nothing...

Yeah, that's what the pharmaceutical companies want you to believe, and they get a large number of doctors to go along with that.

The truth is, many, if not most, medicines have a basis in naturally occurring substances. I used to have to be on antibiotics two or three times a year because of recurring throat and respiratory problems.  Since my DOCTOR (M.D.) convinced me to try herbal treatments, I have not needed antibiotics. I'm not saying I will never need them for things, but if it will work on a hard-core skeptic like me for recurring issues, I certainly do not call that "nothing."

Supplied by my doctor:
Acute Infection Herbal Formula By Kerry Bone
Echinacea liquid extract - 40cc
Licorice liquid extract - 15cc
Ginger liquid extract - 5cc
Yarrow liquid extract - 40cc
Take 5cc (1 tsp) with water 5-6 times a day at the first signs of infection. Continue until all symptoms have resolved. If symptoms worsen contact your physician or nurse practitioner.

I would usually take more than 1 teaspoon...more like a shot, but only a couple times a day. It seemed to provide relief from sore throat, beginnings of colds, or is congestion/bronchitis was taking hold.

PS: Always check for possible interactions with prescription medications. It helps to have someone available that's up on both.  Check your natural store for Rx for Natural Healing, a book many stores will allow you to peruse, or they run about $30.

[groomporter]

All have been tested many times.  All have been proven to do nothing...

Yeah, that's what the pharmaceutical companies want you to believe, and they get a large number of doctors to go along with that.

Problem is... a number of the supplement companies are just subsidiaries of pharmaceutical companies -and the supplements aren't regulated so even if an herb does something you don't know if many supplements really contain the active ingredient, or if it's contaminated with other things like lead...

"Nearly all of the herbal dietary supplements tested in a Congressional investigation contained trace amounts of lead and other contaminants...  16 of the 40 supplements tested contained pesticide residues that appeared to exceed legal limits, the investigators found.  - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/health/policy/26herbal.html[/quote]

[Anna Iram]

The same can be said for the foods that we eat. Vegetables, fruits, meats and fish are loaded with pesticides and hormones and things that are far from nutritious,  but we don't say that means the vegetables are bad for you or don't have health giving properties, we just know we need to be careful in our selection. In those cases I look for fresh and organic produce and eggs and meats that are raised without hormones. Yes it's more expensive, but it's important to me.

Same for herbs and supplements. I read ALOT about a particular supplement before I purchase. I research the company and I buy organic herbs when I can. I read about any contradictions with foods and other herbs or medicines. I educate myself. I don't disclaim what the Congressional hearings found, I just know the pharmaceutical companies would gladly have all supplements off the shelves and I know when there are agendas on the table tests can be produced to make amy products t look good or bad.

I do want to clarify my earlier post about potatoes. There's a chemical reason for why this works. Has to do with the glycimic effect.  Don't eat any protein along with potatoes or it won't work to elevate your seratonin. You can read more about it online or contact me if you want a clearer explanation.

You might also consider 5htp. It's the amino acid that helps produce seratonin.  As with any supplement that.is isolated from it's natural source and concentrated there might be some side affects. Be careful. Read up on this before taking and go slow. I'd start with a low dose of maybe 10 mg and working up from there. If you do have low levels of seratonin and you take too high a dose it will give you some seriously crazy dreams.  The goal is to rest well not wake up exhausted. Some stomach upset has.been reported too. So go slow and read up first. I've not taken this but it seems to help alot of folks who have switched over from more traditional medicines.

[Merlin the Elder]

I wouldn't want to give the impression that herbals are the absolute answer. But I personally have more faith in a naturally occurring substance to go into my body, than one of the many chemicals that have been invented to "make us better." With all of the drugs that get recalled or pulled completely off the market, you'll not be able to convince me that I'm safer with these than with something else. There are lots of approved drugs on the market that list death as a possible side effect.

"Nearly all of the herbal dietary supplements tested in a Congressional investigation contained trace amounts of lead and other contaminants...  16 of the 40 supplements tested contained pesticide residues that appeared to exceed legal limits, the investigators found."

I'm not sure how to react to the statement. It says that residues "...appeared to exceed legal limits..." That is an indication to me that the testing investigators have no clue as to what the limits are, which renders their analysis worthless, as it doesn't actually state anything.  I'm afraid I have little faith in Congressional investigations after the "findings" of the Warren Commission. Most of the food we buy in a typical grocery store is loaded with chemicals, both good and bad.

Herbals are NOT regulated the same as pharmaceuticals, and thus DO have a variance in potency and quality. Therefore you MUST do your homework to find the makers that do take proper care with their processes.

[Lady Neysa]

You might also consider 5htp. It's the amino acid that helps produce seratonin.  As with any supplement that.is isolated from it's natural source and concentrated there might be some side affects. Be careful. Read up on this before taking and go slow. I'd start with a low dose of maybe 10 mg and working up from there. If you do have low levels of seratonin and you take too high a dose it will give you some seriously crazy dreams.  The goal is to rest well not wake up exhausted. Some stomach upset has.been reported too. So go slow and read up first. I've not taken this but it seems to help alot of folks who have switched over from more traditional medicines.

I talked to my aunt who takes 5htp for her depression.  She said she's been taking it for years and it has really helped what has at times been pretty major depression.  She says she can definately feel a diffference if she goes off of it. 
It can cause crazy dreams huh?   Hmm..I've been known to have some pretty darn crazy dreams, so that might not be anything new! 

So much information to sift through.....thank you everyone for the advice.   Now to make a decision..