Depression is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. Many different treatments are available for depression, but they often have unpleasant side effects and don’t always work as well as you might hope. Fortunately, some natural remedies may be just what you need to combat your depression symptoms without any of those nasty side effects! Below we’ve compiled a list of herbs that might help you in treating this debilitating mental illness.
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to help people with low energy and fatigue and those who are recovering from illness. When taken regularly this herb can increase serotonin levels which combat depression symptoms such as anxiety and obsessive thoughts, there is also evidence that it might even treat some of the more severe aspects of depression-like suicidal tendencies.
Some studies show that taking just one dose per day will start making improvements after two weeks, but benefits usually only last about six months, so although it’s not a permanent fix it can be helpful to those who are looking for a natural remedy in the short term. So if you’re just feeling depleted or struggling to sleep there’s a chance this could be the perfect solution for your problems!
Saffron
Saffron has been used in Persian medicine for centuries to combat a variety of mental and physical illnesses. It’s thought that saffron is effective because it contains compounds that mimic the mood-elevating properties of serotonin. Using this herb can be as simple as adding a few strands of saffron into your tea or food. You can make yourself up a cup from scratch by heating water then steeping the saffron (in this case we recommend three tablespoons) for five minutes before straining out any remaining ingredients.
Astragalus Root
This root comes from an ancient Chinese plant called Huang Qi, which means “yellow chicken”. The name comes from the long-standing belief that consuming Huang Qi could help people feel lighter and happier, just like a chicken. Astragalus is one of those herbs that seem to be very safe in moderate doses; as such, it has often been used by patients recovering from surgery or other physical trauma because it can reduce pain and increase energy levels. One study showed that participants taking Astragalus Root were significantly more likely to have their depression symptoms improve than placebo recipients, meaning there’s definitely something going on here!
Hops Flowers
This herb comes from hops plants grown for beer production but also offers some great benefits for fighting depression. Hops contain compounds called flavonoids which mimic the effects of serotonin in your brain, and this can help to lift your mood and reduce the feelings of anxiety that often come with depression. The best way to use hops is as a tea, so add some water before steeping three or four heaping teaspoons of this herb for five minutes then strain off any remaining ingredients when you’re done. You should start feeling better after just one cup!
