HERBS FOR DEPRESSION PART 1

One of the questions that has come up more than once is: what happens if pharmaceutical medications are no longer available, anti-depressants being one? The concern has been voiced not by those on the drugs but by others about the negative reactions of those who are.

Every pharmaceutical has a basis in nature. A natural treatment is taken apart and broken down to its basic molecular structure in the lab and then put back together using synthetic substances or in a different molecular order than the natural item. That way, it can be patented and large prices can be charged by the patent holder, the manufacturer and the FDA for approving the drug.

If we look at highly successful natural treatments from around the world, we can find a food or herb that does the job as well or better and almost always without side effects. Using depression as a starting point, we find:

St. John’s Wort, (hypericum perforatum) named so because it flowers on St. John’s Day and wort is Old English for plant. Where we live St. John’s wort grows wild in the surrounding hills and mountains. St. John’s wort has hundreds of years of folk medicine behind its ability to cure the blues, anxiety, feelings of worthlessness and depression. Some studies report it works better than many anti-depression pharmaceuticals. Some researchers say it has no side effects. Commission E, a body of scientific experts who advise the German government on the safety and effectiveness of herbs, gives St. John’s Wort extremely high ratings.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) taken as teas or as a food, both have high ratings for relieving depression. Catnip (Nepeta cataria), and most other members of the mint family, are highly recommended and have mild sedative effects. Catnip is also effective for treating insomnia, hyperactivity, tooth ache, sore gums, as an effective eyewash for airborne allergies and has been proven to help prevent cataracts when taken internally.

Lemon balm (Melissa officionalis) has anti-depression qualities and is an effective treatment for shingles and herpes, both are of the same genus, and other viral infections. In one European study, a lemon balm based ointment shortened the healing time of herpes sores by several days. The same was true when applied to shingles rashes. One study, using a concentrated lemon balm extract and injected, found shingles symptoms disappeared in 36 hours.

Dr. James A Duke Ph. D, recommends a tea made with lemon balm, oregano, peppermint, hyssop, rosemary, spearmint, thyme, self-heal and any other member of the mint family for treating shingles. The mint combination can be applied to the rash and sores as well as taken as a tea. Finely chopped mint spices up almost any salad. Melissa is Latin for bee and the plant has benefits in the garden as well as for health.

Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra). Licorice contains eight MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors. Unusually high levels of MAOs are connected with depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, attention deficit disorder, migraines, and irregular sexual maturation. When using any MAO inhibitors caution is advised. Consult with your doctor or qualified health practitioner. If using any MAO inhibitor, foods that are smoked or pickled should be avoided as should alcoholic beverages, cold and hay fever medications, amphetamines, narcotics, trytophan and tyrosine.