The primary method of medically treating depressed patients is with antidepressants, most of which work by increasing levels of serotonin in the brain. However, many of the leading brands of antidepressants have acknowledged side-effects, as highlighted about halfway down this page of the National Institute of Mental Health site.

Because of these side-effects, most people would prefer to use natural solutions for depression. It is therefore interesting that in Germany (which has outstanding medical care), while Prozac (a leading antidepressant brand) is prescribed to only 2% of depressed patients, a totally natural herbal remedy is prescribed to 50%!

St John’s wort

St John’s wort (Hypericum Perforatum) is the natural herbal remedy in question. The plant is a small yellow flower (although some deem it to be a weed) that grows all across the world, one which has been used as an ancient folk and herbal medicine for 2000 years.

Most importantly, as you can read on this page, recent tests have indicated that using St John’s wort to treat depression is every bit as effective as prescription antidepressants, but with significantly fewer adverse side-effects, hence its popularity as an alternative to antidepressants in Europe.

According to this information presented by Wikipedia, it is still a little unclear as to why St John’s wort is such an effective natural antidepressant, but it is believed that it acts in pretty much the same way as pharmaceutical antidepressants by ensuring that more of the body’s natural serotonin stays in circulation within the body.

While St John’s wort is a prescribed drug in various European countries, in the USA it is treated as an alternative treatment or herbal supplement. Consequently, while in those countries where it is used as a prescription drug, the ingredients of St John’s wort-based preparations are carefully controlled, in other countries (such as the USA, where it is outside the scope of the FDA), it is not.

Hence, although there are plenty of places where you can obtain St John’s wort on the net, it makes sense to do your research thoroughly to make sure that you know what you are buying.
For example, buying research grade St John’s wort extract tablets such as these is a safe and sensible option, and you should also note that you can buy serotonin tablets from the same site. Taking these tablets in addition to using St John’s wort to minimize serotonin uptake is therefore a sound double pronged attack on the causes of depression.

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that every human needs for normal brain function. However, because the body does not make these particular essential fatty acids, they must be obtained through diet.

Cold water fish such as anchovies and salmon are the richest natural source of Omega-3 fatty acids, but we do not eat enough of these fish to satisfy our daily requirements in the West. It is therefore no coincidence that countries which consume a fish rich diet, like Japan, have national depression rates that are 10% of those in North America!

The problem with increasing the amount of fish in your diet is that fish nowadays have commonly ingested mercury and other harmful chemicals before they reach your dining table. It is therefore preferable to include purified fish oil capsules in your diet rather than increasing the amount of fish borne pollutants you eat in order to take in the necessary Omega-3 fatty acids.

Folic acid

Foliate or folic acid is a B vitamin that is often lacking in those who suffer from depression. It is to be found in leafy green vegetables, beans and fruit, as well as being available in B-complex vitamin supplements.

It is also suggested on this page that a lack of vitamin B12 can also contribute to depression, primarily because some research has indicated that folic acid and vitamin B12 enable antidepressant medicines to be more effective. Whether this is also true of St John’s wort (which is believed to act in exactly the same way as pharmaceutical antidepressants) is not mentioned, but supplementing your diet with additional vitamins can never do any harm.

Sam-e

Sam-e is short for S-adenosyl-L-methionine, which is a naturally occurring chemical in the human body which is believed to increase levels of both serotonin and dopamine. In most Western countries, Sam-e is sold as a dietary supplement that is available in health food stores, drug stores and online.

Despite the fact that it is one of the more expensive ways of fighting depression, Sam-e nevertheless remains popular, although you should be aware that nausea and constipation are two possible side-effects of taking this particular supplement.