Herbs for depression and stress

About depression

These days depression is one of the leading health problems in the world. The main signs of depression are lack of motivation, feeling of hopelessness and melancholy. Depressive individuals find it very hard to perform simple everyday tasks, which negatively affects their personal and professional life. Some physical symptoms can be present too, such as headache, pain in muscles or stomach problems. Depression can come as a result of chemical imbalance in the brain, or as a consequence of some stressful period in life. It does not only affects the sufferer, but also the people who are close to him or her.

Herbs for depression and stress

People used herbs long time ago for treating different conditions and they can be very helpful when it comes to mild depressive disorders. However, if you experience serious symptoms of depression and stress, herbs might not be of help, so it is better to seek for medical help. Here, we will mention some of the herbs that can be beneficial in relieving depression and stress.

St. John's Wort is a well known herb used for the treatment of mild depressive disorders. It is rich with hypericin and hyperforin and it affects amounts of serotonin in our brain. Serotonin is a chemical that is essential for good mood and it can also reduce tension and St. John’s Wort works by increasing the level of serotonin in our brain.There is also Siberian ginseng that affects serotonin and dopamine, both of them being neurotransmitters responsible for the feeling of happiness. This herb can be purchased in forms of liquid extracts, tea, capsules and powders and it shouldn’t be used by pregnant women and those individuals who have problems with blood pressure or narcolepsy.Lemon balm is used to relax your muscles and nervous system. It is good for reducing the feeling of anxiety and for those individuals who are stressed out. That goes for lavender too, which can also be used for treating depression.Ginkgo biloba is good for improving blood flow through the brain, and that helps you to concentrate and think clearly. It can also help you cope with depression and it can ease signs of Alzheimer’s disease.Licorice root can lower the amounts of cortisol (stress hormone) in our bloodstream. However, you should be aware that this herb can interacts with some drugs, so you should talk to your doctor before using it, if you are taking any kind of drugs.Herb called chamomile is used as a tranquilizer, which means that it can help you to calm down and sleep well.

You should never use these herbs without reading the instructions on the label.