Three Herbal Medicines To Naturally Help Your Depression And Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are unfortunate facts of modern life. Traditional medicine offers prescription drugs, but the side effects are often just as bad as the conditions they are supposed to treat. Thankfully, there are natural herbal medicine alternatives that are just as effective and not nearly as potentially dangerous. Here are three herbal remedies to consider for treating your depression and anxiety.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort comes from a plant with yellow flowers called Hypericum perforatum. In the United States, St. John's wort is a widely available, over-the-counter herbal supplement. In Germany, however, St. john's wort is prescribed by physicians and is the antidepressant of choice as it is believed to be effective for treating mild depression with limited side effects.
Like pharmaceutical antidepressants, it takes 3-4 weeks of daily supplementation for St. John's wort to become effective. While St. John's wort has few adverse side effects, it can interfere with other medications you may be taking, including reducing the effectiveness of birth control pills, so be sure to discuss it with your doctor before beginning to take it.
Valerian Root
Valerian root is another useful plant. With tiny pink and white flowers, this herbal remedy has long been used in Europe and Asia for treating anxiety and anxiety associated with insomnia. Valerian root can also be useful for those who suffer panic attacks.
Because Valerian root can cause marked drowsiness in some people, it should be initially tried under caution. For example, you wouldn't want to take a dose before driving or operating heavy machinery without first knowing how your body will respond to the supplement. Valerian root should not be taken with alcohol or in conjunction with prescription anti-anxiety medications. Valerian root is also often a component of herbal remedy teas.
Maca Root
Maca root is a plant that hails from Peru, where it has been used for thousands of years by the indigenous peoples as a tonic for depression, hormonal imbalances, and increasing libido. It is particularly effective when used by menopausal women who may be struggling with depression, decreased sex drive, and other adverse side effects from waning hormones. In addition to being a mild aphrodisiac, it can increase the quality and quantity of sperm in men. Maca root is an edible tuber that grows, along with potatoes, high in the Andes mountains. It resembles a turnip but tastes like a potato and is a staple of the Peruvian diet.
Remember to always consult with a doctor before adding supplements to your treatment plan. Then, contact a company, like Arcana Empothecary, for more help in finding the right supplements.
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