Beneficial Herbs Depression

Below is a table with a listing of beneficial herbs depression and comments about the herbs. See which is best for you!


Many of these herbs can be taken in combination or taken separately. Be sure to read the cautions as some cannot be taken with prescription medications.

Herb	Dosage	Comments
Ginko	Tablets. 160-180 mg/day.	Reverses depression, espcially if on blood pressure medication.
Kava	Tablets. 60-120 mg/day. Do not exceed 120mg.	Treats depression occuring with anxiety.
Lemon Balm	Tablets or tea. Use as directed on label.	Helps stomach during stressful situations.
Moringa	Capsules. 1000-5000mg 3x/day.	Relieves depression, enhances male sexual function.
St. Johns Wort	Capsules. 900mg/day	Good if depression, tension and fatigue are combined.

Special Note: Do not take ginko if you are on other blood thinners like aspirin, Plavix, Aggrenox or coumadin. Kava increases the effects of alcohol and psychoactive drugs. St. John's Wort is an MAO inhibitor and will interact with prescription SSRI medications. It should be used with caution in pregnancy, and may cause skin blisters if you are out in the sun too long.

Tips for preventing depression: Exercise three times a week minimum (and SWEAT!). This naturally raises seratonin levels in the brain and you feel better. It may take a few weeks to have the full effects.

Avoid processed foods and chemicals, especially aspartame (NutraSweet) which blocks the formation of seratonin and may increase depression and headaches. Also, alcohol, nicotine and excess caffeine. All of these irritate nerve endings and can make depression worse. So can decongestants like pseudofed.

Get 20 minutes of sun exposure per day. This slows the brain from breaking down seratonin.

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