Overcoming Depression Naturally With Herbs
There are several herbs that have gained popularity for their benefits to mental health and two of the most powerful and readily available in most places are St. John’s Wort and Schizandra.
St. John’s Wort has been popular worldwide as a remedy for relieving depression by promoting feelings of well-being. This herb is useful for relieving anxiety, stress, and insomnia while naturally boosting mood. St. John’s Wort is so effective because it naturally enhances levels of serotonin in the body; serotonin is the “fell good” hormone that is secreted in during pleasant situations but is often lacking in the brains of those who struggle with depression. Please note that there is new research outlining the importance of avoiding St. John’s Wort if you are taking contraceptives, antidepressants, immunosuppressants (like cyclosporine), anticoagulants, Digoxin, HIV medications, blood thinners, seizure-control medicine, or cancer medications. If you are taking any of these medications, avoid the use of St. John’s Wort for depression to keep drug interactions from occurring.
If you’re feeling let-down because you are currently taking some of these medications or are startled at the long list of possible drugs that will interact with the herb, consider Schizandra.
Schizandra is a berry that has been popular in Chinese medicine for thousands of years and is only now gaining popularity in America. Schizandra is an adaptogenic herb meaning it addresses the body as a whole, not only a certain aspect of the system. We’ve learned through modern medicine that we can focus on a symptom of an illness and treat just one symptom at a time to feel well. For example, if you have the flu you may treat the headache with one medication, nausea with another, and fever with a third. Adaptogens work in the opposite way of this and support the system, not causes of illness.
What does this have to do with depression? By incorporating an adaptogen like Schizandra into your daily routine you’ll help your body maintain balance from your brain to your toes. Adaptogens benefit mood, help to detox the body, increase circulation throughout the body, improve concentration, and can safely replace any product you may take to address each of the issues individually.
Herbs can be so beneficial in the fight to overcome depression naturally. Don’t rely solely on the products found in a pharmacy or one created in a lab. Hippocrates said “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be your food” and I think this is close to what he meant. Nature provides us with outlets that can improve our quality of life tremendously without negative effects to other parts of our body.
Give yourself the opportunity for your whole body to heal. Stop addressing certain symptoms and support yourself, fully.
