Depression is a condition that affects almost all human being at least once in his/her life. It ranges from mild to serious. Indications can vary from the not-so-critical feeling of sadness and anxiousness, sometimes referred to as "the blues", to the more life-threatening thoughts of suicide and suicide tries. Other signs include loss of interest in ordinary activities including sex, feelings of insignificance and guilt, excessive changes in hunger and weight, complexity in concentrating and remembering, fatigue and lethargy.

Specialists know from experience that depression can be cured. The key thing is to recognize the signs and seek professional assistance as soon as possible. Most depression experts, aside from counseling, prescribe anti-depressant medicines like Prozac. But, these almost always have unwanted effects that may trigger any other problems like insomnia and anxiety. These days, therefore, more people prefer natural herbal supplements over pharmaceutical medicines.

The most admired herb that is used to treat depression is St. John's Wort. It is a plant with yellow flowers that contain numerous chemical compounds including hypericin and hyperforin. For hundreds of years, this plant has been used for mental and other health issues. Recent studies show that St. John's Wort is efficient for mild to moderate depression, as it improves sleep and feelings of well-being. It likewise is non-addictive and does not show any major side effects. St. John's Worts are sold as capsules, tablets, dried teas & liquid extracts.

Another admired herb for the treatment of depression is kava-kava, a shrub which belongs to the pepper family. Found mostly in the Pacific, the roots of this plant have been used historically for sedating and treating anxiety. More recently, even the stems and leaves are used, although there have been indications of side effects affecting the liver, particularly hepatitis and cirrhosis. It is always suggested to take kava-kava under close supervision by a physician. Children, pregnant women, persons with liver problems and those with history of alcohol consumption are not advised to take kava-kava.

Passionflower is also used to cure mild depression. Native to the USA, with some species in Asia, South America and Australia, this perennial vine has been referred to as a calming herb since ancient times. It is believed to aid lower the activity of some brain cells, thus it makes an individual relaxed and calm. However, since it is always combined with other herbs like valerian and lemon balm, there's no known effect of passionflower if taken alone. Likewise, its side effects are inconclusive. It's available in the form of teas, fluid extracts and tinctures.

Other effective herbal supplements for the treatment of depression are: 5 HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), an amino acid that's known to improve a person's mood in just a few days without any major negative effects; SAM-e or S-adenosylmethionine, another amino acid that helps normalize liver function in addition to its antidepressant properties; Ginseng, an herb grown in some parts of Asia and is known to increase energy and vitality; Ginkgo or Ginkgo Biloba, a plant whose leaf extract works well in improving the social behavior of the elderly.

As a whole, all the above herbal supplements have their own merits. Appropriate doses with professional medical supervision will help alleviate the symptoms of depression, specially if still within the mild and moderate levels.

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