With at least 20 million Americans experiencing depression it's no wonder that so many people are turning to natural and alternative medicines for relief. But do these "natural" depression remedies really work? Here's what you should know.
St. Johns Wort
Few natural remedies for depression are as controversial as St. Johns wort. Made from the flowers of Hypericum perforatum, a small, woody perennial native to Europe, St. Johns wort has been used for depression since at least the time of the Ancient Greeks. A number of small European studies have found St. Johns wort effective for mild to moderate depression but the largest US study, underwritten by the National Institutes of Health, found
St. Johns wort no more effective than a placebo.
SAM-e
The subject of over 100 studies worldwide, SAM-e, which is chemically known as S-adenosylmethionine, is produced in the body by combining methionine and ATP. SAM-e works to combat mild to moderate depression by increasing activity of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Numerous studies have found SAM-e comparable to prescription antidepressants for mild to moderate depression. Side effects are rare but SAM-e can be an expensive alternative to other "natural" remedies.
5-HTP
Made by your own body, 5-HTP, or 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, is converted to serotonin in the brain. Though the link between 5-HTP and serotonin is undisputed, supplements of 5-HTP have failed to live up to scientific scrutiny when studied for mild to moderate depression. In clinical studies, 5-HTP has been found to be no more effective than placeboes for mild to moderate depression. Side effects of supplemental 5-HTP include liver damage and asthma, leading many naturopaths to caution against using it.
Only your doctor can diagnose your mild to moderate depression. But if you're interested in learning more about alternative treatments for this common disorder, ask your doctor if one of these natural depression treatments is appropriate for you.
