People suffering from depression can take to herbal and natural remedies for relief. While some of these remedies increase certain hormone levels, others augment deficiencies in important brain chemicals or cell enzymes. Not only are these products easily accessible, they also provide relief with little or no side effects.  However, regardless of the efficacy of these remedies, you should consult your doctor before trying them out.

Some of the effective treatment options readily available are:

1. St. John’s Wort: This plant has been clinically used in Germany for over 40 years. It has been proven to be an effective anti-depressant. It also acts as an antibiotic and anti-viral agent.
2. Ginkgo Biloba: This is a powerful antidepressant and antioxidant that increases blood flow to the brain and other parts of the body. This improved blood circulation is believed to increase memory and promote cardiovascular health.
3. Siberian Ginseng: It is an adaptogen – a substance that assists the body to adapt to external physical stresses such as biological hazards, trauma, illness, exposure to extreme heat / cold, or lack of sleep. Ginseng is also believed to stimulate the immune system, enhance abstract thinking and improve aerobic capacity.
4. SAMe (S-Adenosyl Methionine): People suffering from depression often have deficient quantities of seratonin, dopamine, and phosphatides and poor receptor site binding. SAMe increases levels of these chemicals in the brain besides improving receptor site binding with little or no side effects.
5. 5HTP: 5HTP is an amino acid that is converted to seratonin, a strong neurotransmitter in the brain. It addresses (by increasing the level of seratonin) depression symptoms of feeling down, changes in sleep patterns, fibromyalgia and migraine pain.