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According to the WHO, 350 million people are affected by depression.
350 million people is a lot of people, and they shouldn't have to suffer. Depression is a serious illness and needs to be addressed in one way or another. Not all treatment options work for all people, so if you or a loved one suffers from depression, talk with your doctor about treatment options that will work for you. Here I will be discussing the use of St. John's Wort for depression relief. Again, before you decide to try it please talk with a medical professional.
Depression has many root causes - "from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors" (WHO). Depression can stem from traumatic events, poor social interactions, and our genetics makeup. There are so many treatment options available now and I think all should be considered. There is counseling and therapy, pharmaceuticals, natural and alternative treatments to help treat and relieve depression and to help improve quality of life for those that do suffer from it.
St. John's Wort
Hypericum perforatum is the scientific name for this yellow flower that grows wild in most parts of the world, including the United States and Canada. This herb grows as a short shrub like plant with clusters of flowers and leaves at the end of branches. The flowers and leaves are typically dried and made into herbal preparations including teas and supplements.
St. John's Wort has been scientifically proven to be effective in relieving symptoms of mild to moderate depression and is a safe alternative with few side effects. However, this herb should not be taken with any prescription medications, especially those that are designed to treat depression. This herb also interacts with other prescription drugs, so please do your research before adding St. John's Wort to your regimen.
I have suffered from mild depression and found this herb to be very effective in helping me. St. John's Wort acts as a nervine and sedative, which helps relieve depression. It is not a quick fix; St. John's Wort should be taken in a similar fashion to other anti-depressants. Whether you decide on tea, tincture, or supplement it needs to be taken daily for a period of time. In my experience I have seen St. John's Wort take anywhere from 14 to 30 days to take effect and see improvement in mood and mental health. When I began taking St. John's Wort it took about two weeks for me to see improvement. I would also like to mention, as with any "medicine" if you stop taking it you may begin to experience depression again. This herb does not cure depression, it simply relieves the symptoms.
**Disclaimer: These statements have not been approved by the FDA and are intended for educational purposes only.