29/11/2023
"There's More Than St. John's Wort"
When people seek help for depression what comes to mind? Medications, therapy...and St. John's Wort. Those are typical solutions people pursue. While these options may work for some, there are a multitude of layers to address and options to consider when experiencing depression.
First, what is depression? Clinically speaking it can be a mild to severe condition. Sometimes feelings of depression are provoked by a change in brain chemistry. Other times by a situational or environmental factor such as the death of a loved one. There are various types of depressions including manic depression, referred to as Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), situational depression or clinical depression.
Within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders a diagnosis of depression typically involves some of these factors:
Feeling sad, hopeless
Lack of energy, general fatigue
Feelings of guilt and worthlessness
Indecisiveness, decreased ability to concentrate
Insomnia or hypersomnia (sleeping too much)
Depressed mood throughout the day, especially in the morning
Marked lower interest or enjoyment in almost all activities (a key indicator)
Sense of restlessness or being slowed down
Changes in appetite, significant weight gain or loss
Physical symptoms including headaches, backaches
Recurring thoughts of death or su***de*
There are other feelings and behaviors that may present. For example, in both youth and adults, frustration, impatience and irritability may be experienced.
What may cause depression?
There are various theories about why depression occurs which you may research in depth. From a natural medicine standpoint depression involves numerous holistic factors such as: body constitution, health history, physical health status, disease diagnosis, exercise, sleep, nutrition, emotional, familial, social, environmental, spiritual and other factors.
Addressing depression is not simply a matter of selecting a mild to strong relaxing nervine herb or one particular medication. There is more to it than this, most people agree whom have coped with depression in their lives.
Again, depression is a complex realm that may be explored in depth with clients and patients in clinical settings.
What might some of the causal or contributing factors be?
General unhappiness with one's life circumstance or situation
Misalignment during seasonal shift
Grief and loss
Past or present trauma
Chemical changes in the brain
Chronic insomnia
Side effects of medications
Substance abuse/addictions
Symptoms related to diseases (e.g. anemia, thyroid disorder, diabetes, etc)
Poor nutrition (e.g. lack of vitamin D, iron, etc)
Lack of movement, exercise or time in nature
Body systems disharmony patterns (e.g. digestive system disruption, etc)
Hormonal changes such as pregnancy, post-delivery, menopause
Stressed or stagnation in liver
Genetic predisposition to depression or other mental health conditions
Epigenetics, ancestral trauma
Other cultural contexts for what is perceived as depression
Environmental factors such as poverty, homelessness, violence, war, refugee status or others
Exploratory Journaling Prompts
Do you notice how your energy rises and falls within a 24-hour cycle? Are there introversion and extroversion phases? How much of your daily life is spent in energy draining activities? What are these? What dulls or deadens your senses? What makes you feel numb or bored? Are there elements in your family or work environments that take a big bite out of your energy?
~G. Stafne
What are conventional allopathic treatments for depression?
During the decades these have been the most conventional treatments or therapies for states of depression in clinical and medical settings:
Counseling and Therapy
Medications
Typically these are SSRI's, Serotonin reuptake inhibitors and SNRI's, Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, which affect dopamine and norepinephrine regulation in the brain.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Are there alternatives to medications for depression? Absolutely. Let's take a look at some of the subtle differences between herbs that are known to be used for emotional balancing, including depression. Remember it is important to do deeper research for yourself and consult with a trained clinician if you would like assistance for depression.
Herbal Alternatives
Angelica Root
An herbal root to consider when depression relates to divine sacred feminine energy that has become out of balance. Helps align anyone with divine sacred energy--the physical and spiritual. Often useful for emotional balancing during menstrual cycle and menopause.
Ashwagandha
An ancient Adaptogen herb rising in popularity, used to help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Black Cohosh
This herb is helpful when one is brooding, moody, down or depressed; with moods or the state accompanied by lower back pain.
Blue Vervain
Preferred when one experiences anxiety and/or depression and there is a tendency to 'be in one's head' much of the time. This herb helps draw energy down into the body. Also, indicated when people do not feel they are doing enough or have anxiety, tension headaches, cluster headaches.
Blueberry
A food or tea to consider when one experiences a significant lack of sweetness in life. Also, when eating sweets to fill the void does not satisfy the emptiness. Note: Blueberry Flower Essence is a bit different; what I like to call the resilience during crisis flower essence.
Catnip
A mild calming Nervine herb that is especially useful when the child or adult has a nervous stomach caused by emotional upset. "I have butterflies in my tummy, mommy!"
Cordyceps:
This is a warming Adaptogen and Nervine option for those who feel very fatigued, depressed and in a weakened state due to physical or emotional reasons. Often ailments of the kidneys accompany this type of fatigue. This brings to mind the issue of inherited vulnerabilities within the family generations. If working through those issues Cordyceps may help.
Calendula
Helpful when one seeks a sunnier disposition. An easy, mild emotional support for SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, too.
Camu Camu
A tropical fruit high in vitamin C, also considered to be an Adaptogen which is helpful in reducing the impact of stress and relieving some of the general symptoms of depression.
Chamomile
A mild relaxing herb to consider when children or adults are upset. Indicated also for people who tend to complain or whine about life's circumstances when they feel unhappy or down. Calms when cranky.
Cherry Blossom
This is a beauty that helps stabilize the nervous system overall. It facilitates letting of sadness; that which is no longer serving a person in life. Releasing sadness creates spaciousness for love and life.
Clary Sage
This herb is useful when one is burdened by negativity in an environment. Also when that negativity manifests as weight, looming sadness, negativity or depression. Note: Sages in general tend to feed and nourish the Central Nervous System. A fine choice!
Damiana
When depression presents alongside low libido, this herb is an option. It enhances a positive, sensual disposition in life. Damiana is a beautiful choice during menopause or other times of hormonal shifting.
Dill
Similar to catnip; a mild calming Nervine herb that is especially useful when a child or adult has a nervous stomach caused by emotional upset. Feeling it in the solar plexus!
Ginseng
A popular herb to consider when feeling fatigue, lacking energy or motivation. This root helps build a foundation when feeling depressed or weak.
Hawthorn Berry
This bold berry helps mend a hurting heart center or heart chakra. It nourishes and supports the cardio system while lifting the spirit. That's a big botanical bonus!
Jiaogulan
An herbal Adaptogen and Nervine that helps when one feels anxious, agitated or depressed. Another key component is when episodes of hypertension present, headaches occur, or there is anxiety provoked insomnia and depression.
Kava Kava
Consider this strong, relaxing herbal root when there is anxiety and tension.
Lavender
A common flower that many people love for general relaxation. However, did you know that it is indicated for those who feel disconnected from their body due to depression? Consider this when there is excess worry associated with anxiety and depression, too. Love the lavender!
Lemon Balm
A mild calming herb when the person has a nervous stomach. Lemon Balm helps with overall emotional balancing and is useful for those who experience difficulty letting go of a situation that is troubling; or letting go of a relationship.
Lemon Verbena
A refreshing, uplifting blast for the mind, body and spirit. This is an herb to consider when one has been experiencing digestive system problems along with emotional upset or instability.
Linden Flower
An important Nervine for the neurotransmitters. Linden helps uplift and reconnect with self and others after major losses in life.
Maca
Also called Peruvian Ginseng, this power-packed root enhances energy, stamina and libido. Maca also reduces depression and anxiety.
Mimosa Bark and Flower
An important tea for those who feel stressed, anxious, depressed and have experiences of physical, trauma, emotional trauma or PTSD.
Motherwort
One of our school's favorite herbs. An emotional balancing and uplifting plant. Well suited for post-partum depression, menopause and for they who also have an anxious heart that races or has an irregular beat.
Nettle Leaf and Seed
Grounding, centering and nourishing for the core being. This herbs helps rebuild stamina after long term stress and depression related to a situation with others or in one's environment. Nettle seed is an important adrenal support, too.
Oats
Organic rolled oats, oatstraw or milky oat tops for general Nervous System nourishment during or after time periods of stress, anxiousness and depression. This is a soft, soothing demulcent herb that creates fluidity and flexibility in life.
Pasque Flower
This flower helps energetically promote life's flow within the heart center or heart chakra, especially when one has been holding in sadness and grief. Consider Pasque when choking on grief, unable to take deep breaths.
Pine, Scotch Pine
This medicinal tree helps with overall realignment during depression. It helps create a solid, secure feeling within. Scotch Pine also stimulates the adrenal cortex.
Red Clover
Considered to be essential nourishing herb. This blossom feeds the central nervous system and aids the digestive system, as well as other body systems. Red Clover fortifies during and after episodes of stress and depression.
Red Root
This herb is indicated when there is deeper melancholy, a brooding mood or depression.
Reishi Fungi
This mushroom helps peel away layers upon layers of life experiences, facilitating the process of discovery of what is not in alignment with one's soul purpose.
Rhodiola
An important adaptogen that serves humans well in many ways. In this case it is indicated for SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder. Rhodiola Rosea is presently being researched for other mental health conditions. This root is well suited for those living in cold, northern climates.
Rose
Rose is a delicate, beautiful choice when the heart is sad and in need of love. Consider this flower when there's a lack of sweetness in life. Let rose help you release self-judgement, as well.
Rowan Berry
Sometimes referred to as the Mountain Ash tree. This cooked or processed berry has historically been considered for winter blues or depression especially for people residing in northern climates.
Saffron
Crocus sativus has been tested in clinical trials and proved to be effected in youth and adults who experience anxiety, depression, trauma and PTSD.
St. John's Wort
A popular herb indicated for mild to moderate cases of depression. Helpful when there has also been long term exhaustion, irritability due to hormonal changes, also SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder. St. John's Wort compounds help regulate brain levels of dopamine, interleukins, melatonin, monoamine-oxidases, and serotonin. It has been shown to be a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Scullcap
An important Nervine tonifying herb. Consider this if stress, anxiety or depression have persisted. Scullcap will help nourish and feed your Nervous System; solid foundational support.
Tulsi, Holy Basil
This Adaptogen and Nervine helps soothe and smooth moods in general. This is a fine choice when one is coping with chronic stress and conflict that is impacting the emotional state as well as the physical body.
Valerian Root
A strong Nervine relaxant. Consider this herb for insomnia and extreme upset or when intense grounding is needed. Also, for monkey mind when the brain is running rampant. Not ideal for clinical depression, though.
Xiao Yao Wan
This is a classic TCM, Traditional Chinese Medicine formulation that translates as, "Free and Easy Wanderer" classically used for a wide range of emotional and mental health issues, including depression.
Remember, positive changes are possible in life when you come into greater alignment with your life our soul purpose. Assess all areas of life from a holistic perspective. Become aware of your internal energy, as well as your environment. Stay focused on positive health. Develop a healing circle that includes people, places and elements that help you thrive. Natural and botanical medicine may be a key part of this for you.
Here's to your health and happiness!
Article by Gigi Stafne MH, ND
Material in this packet is informational and educational in nature. It is not considered to diagnose, treat, cure or heal any medical condition. Herbs are presently considered to be foods by the FDA in the United States. Consult with your primary health care clinician before going off of any prescription medications for depression.
*Su***de Prevention Lifeline: "988" or 1-800-273-TALK
Gigi Stafne MH, ND
Copyright 2023 (reach Gigi to reprint: gigigreenwisdom@gmail.com)
Green Wisdom School of Natural & Botanical Medicine
