Using St. John's Wort to treat Depression
Depression comes in many forms and with the overabundance
of anti-depression drugs currently available, it is often
tricky for doctors to prescribe the right one for their
patients.
Some patients suffer from a mild depression, also known as
dysthymic depression. This includes symptoms of sadness and
a loss of interest in activity. Many times this kind of
depression goes unnoticed and untreated, but can last for
many years.
Other types of depression include major depression and
bipolar depression. There are others as well, and can
include disorders relating to pregnancy and traumatic
events.
A lot of the medications used to treat depression include
complicated chemical balances that need to be adjusted to
the particular patient, and can also have multiple physical
and emotional side effects. Some patients report feeling
worse after having taken traditional medications or they
report needing to switch from medicine to medicine as one
wears off and becomes less effective.
So what does a person with depression do? What does a
person do if they don't have access to a trained
psychiatrist that can prescribe them medication?
The newer trend in handling depression begins with a
healthier lifestyle. Eating more fruits and vegetables, as
well as avoiding sugars and caffeine can create a more
wholesome environment in the body and an increased
resistance to the everyday stresses of life.
Physical exercise helps to ease mood swings that are caused
by depression. It also strengthens the body so that it can
deal with stress more effectively.
St John's Wort is a herb that has been used in Europe for
centuries to treat depression. It is now popular in the
United States.
St. John's Wort works by stabilizing the mood and reducing
the amount of swings in the overall demeanor of the patient.
And because it's not created with chemicals, it can also
have fewer side effects.
It's still in the testing stage, to establish its
depression alleviation properties beyond doubt. But you
don't need a prescription to get it in the grocery store.
So for those who can't make it to the doctor's office, or
folks who find the medical fee too high, St John's Wort is
easily available and conveniently accessible.
As with any medication, you should consult your doctor
before taking St John's Wart to treat depression. Sometimes
depression has other underlying physical causes that need
to be ruled out before medication is prescribed.
