Herbal Treatments for Depression

Depression

Depression is an intense and prolonged feeling of sadness. It may follow
some sad event, but persists for a longer time than is appropriate.
Although depression usually occurs in one's 20's, 30's, or 40's, it can
occur at almost any age.

Causes of Depression

Depression can be hereditary, brought on by emotional distress, or a side
effect of certain drugs. Physical disorders that can cause depression
include: thyroid disease, prolonged illness, pain, or discomfort. Mental
health disorders, such as schizophrenia and anxiety, can lead to
depression. Alcoholism is also linked to depression.

Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression. Factors that
may explain this anomaly include: hormonal changes before menstruation
and after childbirth; abnormal thyroid function, which is a common disorder
in women; oral contraception; and hormone replacement therapy.

Symptoms of Depression

Symptoms usually develop over several days or weeks. In the early
stages, an individual may feel sluggish and sad or irritable and anxious.

Vegetative symptoms of depression include: becoming withdrawn,
becoming less social, a decreased appetite, and trouble sleeping.

Atypical symptoms of depression include: becoming anxious and fearful
(particularly in the evening), having in increased appetite, gaining weight,
and sleeping for increasingly long periods.

People suffering from depression often have trouble experiencing
emotions such as grief, pleasure, excitement, and joy; become
preoccupied with feelings of guilt, hatred of themselves, low self-esteem,
despair, loneliness, hopelessness, and helplessness; are indecisive and
withdrawn; have a reduced ability to concentrate; think about death and
suicide; have difficulty falling asleep, and wake up frequently (especially in
the early morning); and experience a loss of sex-drive and pleasure from
sex.

Herbal Treatments for Depression

St. John's Wart (Hypericum perforatum)

Scientific Evidence from Clinical Trials

The Cochrane Collaboration's assessment of 27 randomized trials
involving the use of St. John's wart for depression concluded that there is
evidence that this herb is more effective than a placebo for the short-term
treatment of mild to moderately severe depression (Linde 2000).

A twelve week study compared the efficacy of 300 mg of St. John's wart
standardized to 0.3% hypericum taken three times per day to 50 mg of
sertraline (a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used in some
anti-depressants) taken once per day. This trial reported that both
treatments were equally effective at treating mild to moderate depression;
however, a greater number of undesirable side effects were noted in the
group taking 50 mg of sertraline per day (van Gurp et al. 2002).

A six week randomized, double-blind trial involving 209 severely
depressed patients from 20 psychiatric centers compared the
administration of daily doses of 1800 mg of St. John's wart extract, LI 160,
to 150 mg imipramine (the active ingredient in many anti-depressant
drugs). The study reported that both treatments were equally effective;
however, a greater number of undesirable side effects were noted in the
group taking 150 mg of imipramine per day (Vorbach et al. 1997).

References

Linde, K., C. Mulrow. 2000. "St. John's wart for depression." Cochrane
Database Syst. Rev. 2.

van Gurp, G., G. Meterissian, L. Haiek, J. McCusker, F. Bellavance. 2002.
"St. John's wart or sertraline? Randomized controlled trial in primary
care." Canadian Family Physician. 48:905-12.

Vorbach, E., K. Arnoldt K, W. Hübner. 1997. "Efficacy and tolerability of
St. John's wort extract LI 160 versus imipramine in patients with severe
depressive episodes according to ICD-10." Pharmacopsychiatry. 2:
81-85.