Herbal Antidepressants - List of Natural Antidepressant Products

Natural antidepressants for depression , stress, anxiety, irritability and anxiety can be used in addition to methods such as psychotherapy, acupuncture or light therapy. Recurrent anxiety attacks can also be relieved with the help of improvised remedies - usually these are antidepressants of natural origin, cheap and available in any pharmacy and even in the supermarket.

Natural antidepressants for stress naturally help cope with psychological problems. Below we provide a list of natural antidepressants (natural products) that will help you not only treat depression but also prevent its occurrence.

Next, read about the 13 most effective natural antidepressant products, some of which you definitely have in your kitchen.

Rhodiola rosea (golden root) - natural antidepressants

Rhodiola rosea relieves both physical and mental fatigue. It is a common stimulant that is taken not only for fatigue, but also for seasonal affective disorder and depression. Rhodiola rosea is beneficial because:

promotes active recovery: golden root is effective against asthenia and fights stress
regulates the level of adrenaline (a neurotransmitter that is released under stress): Rhodiola rosea is a natural alternative to tranquilizers
used during high physical activity to increase endurance and promote cardiac recovery; Rhodiola rosea is also successfully used in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Rhodiola is an adaptogenic herb that helps fight depression by increasing resistance to stress and reducing mental and physical fatigue. Thus, Rhodiola restores the natural “dynamism” of the body. An adaptogenic plant adapts to the body's needs.

In case of seasonal depression, Rhodiola can have a positive effect on:

eating disorder (reduces symptoms of bulimia)
sleep disorders (relieves excessive drowsiness)
emotional state (increases the desire to act).

Treatment with traditional methods

To restore mental balance and hormonal balance, natural antidepressants of plant and animal origin are used.

The most effective plants and products that relieve depression are:

Plants with adaptogenic properties - astragalus, Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus, ashwagandha, sea buckthorn, cordyceps, reishi polypore, echinacea and others.

Sedative plants - mint, lemon balm, valerian, motherwort, relieve anxiety, fear, restlessness, and improve sleep.
Tulsi (tulsi, holy basil) - the plant contains a set of vitamins and minerals, normalizes hormonal levels, improves the functioning of the adrenal glands, and strengthens the immune system.
Borago (borage) is grown as a salad and medicinal plant. Borago improves performance by relieving depressive states, hypochondriacal and melancholic moods. This natural antidepressant is often used in combinations with other plants.

Ginkgo biloba - products, teas, infusions from the leaves of an exotic tree restore damaged brain and nerve cells, stabilize the emotional background, and increase resistance to stress.
Black algae - the phenolic acids contained in the herb have antioxidant properties, and glycosides with polyphenols have a neurosedative effect on the body.
St. John's wort is a natural antidepressant, improves brain performance, and inhibits the formation of stress hormones.
Hawthorn - flowers and fruits of the bush help with nervous breakdowns and shocks, support the functioning of the heart muscle. The plant is a natural protector of the heart muscle.
Bananas - the tryptophan they contain adds strength and energy; with its help, the body increases the production of serotonin, which improves well-being and lifts the mood.
Avocado – the fatty acids it contains strengthen the immune system, add energy and help relieve depression.
Dark dark chocolate – a few pieces of this sweetness will provide a surge of energy and joy. Relieves depressive symptoms. A cup of hot chocolate or cocoa works the same way.

Green vegetables are a natural source of antioxidant compounds, organic acids and vitamins. Cabbage, spinach, lettuce, bell peppers, green beans and others are useful.
Hard cheeses with high fat content - these dairy products contain tyramine, trictamine, essential amino acids responsible for the stability of the nervous system and good mood. A small piece of cheese will help strengthen bones (calcium) and a positive mood.
Dishes made from whole grains speed up metabolism, normalize digestion, remove toxins and waste, adding energy and strength.
Nuts and seeds – a handful of nuts or seeds provides the body with the daily requirement of vitamins and minerals (along with other beneficial substances), will improve the functioning of the brain and the whole body.

Products containing omega fatty acids and vitamin E. These include fatty fish, fish oil, flaxseed oil, red and black caviar. Vitamin E increases the lifespan of nerve cells and improves the permeability of cell membranes. Pay attention to salmon, tuna and sturgeon, and prepare the fish baked or boiled. Served with vegetables.
Products containing large amounts of B vitamins - dairy products, liver, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, black bread with added bran. Vitamin B1 takes part in the transmission of nerve impulses, its “companion” vitamin B6 – in the synthesis of neurotransmitters, folic acid increases the body’s resistance to stress.

A few simple, affordable recipes for cooking at home:

Sedative tea: brew in a porcelain bowl in three glasses of boiling water with a teaspoon of blue cornflower petals, motherwort herb and St. John's wort for 20 minutes. Take tea in a course of 10 days, a third of a glass after meals. The break between courses is at least a week. This natural remedy is good at calming the nervous system.

Tea for depression: a mixture prepared from rose hips, mint leaves, oregano herb, and cucumber herb is kept in a thermos for an hour and a half in a liter of boiling water. Take a tablespoon of each ingredient. Instead of regular tea, drink 2 to 4 cups throughout the day. Instead of sugar, it is better to add natural honey to taste. After two weeks of use, take a break of 10 days so that the body does not get used to it.
Tea to stabilize the nervous system: mix a tablespoon of hawthorn fruit, rose hips, valerian roots, aerial parts of motherwort, linden inflorescences, and flowers of the plant. Two tablespoons of the mixture are brewed in 500 ml of boiling water for 45 minutes in a thermos. Drink a glass of pure infusion while eating. Reduces the excitability of the nervous system. Acetylcholine contained in the infusion improves sleep. This substance also improves the interaction of neurons.

St. John's wort for depression

St. John's wort has been used for centuries as a treatment for mild to moderate depression. For example, in Germany, even representatives of official medicine prescribe St. John's wort as a natural antidepressant.

St. John's wort is probably the most famous natural antidepressant! Recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) and the World Health Organization, St. John's wort is effective against depression, anxiety, mood swings, nervous agitation and digestive problems.

St. John's wort does not cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms. However, it has been proven that the use of St. John's wort simultaneously with certain medications is associated with side effects - that is, St. John's wort affects the effect of other drugs. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that St. John's wort not be combined with antidepressants, cyclosporine medications, birth control pills, certain antiviral medications, and anticancer medications. It is extremely important to get your doctor's approval to use St. John's wort as a natural antidepressant.

Saffron is a natural antidepressant

Saffron, also called "red gold", is a spice that is a very powerful natural remedy for fighting depression, stress, low mood and anxiety. The Crocin pigment and safranal essential oil contained in saffron have antidepressant, anti-stress and anxiolytic properties. According to research, the effects of saffron are equivalent to those of synthetic antidepressants, but without any side effects. Saffron may be a better choice than St. John's wort if you are already taking a regular antidepressant, as it has less of an effect on other medications.

Depression is a complex illness that can take many forms and affect each of us. It manifests itself in a sad mood, loss of interest in activities, and decreased energy. These emotional disturbances affect family life, professional and social activities. You can fight depression with the help of effective natural antidepressants, which allows you to avoid many of the side effects of synthetic drugs.

Antidepressants of herbal origin without a prescription

Some herbal antidepressants can be purchased at the pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. We offer a list of them:

Prozac contains herbal substances that help fight depression. Relieves anxiety, helps with anorexia, restores menstrual irregularities, relieves anxious thoughts. After it, a person becomes more adequate and resistant to external factors. More information can be found in the article with instructions for using Prozac.
Maprotiline, of all herbal antidepressants, has contraindications - epilepsy, liver and kidney diseases, convulsive disorders. It contains effective plant extracts. Maprotiline helps with anxiety, apathy, and psychomotor retardation.
Zyban - used for emotional stress that occurs when getting rid of nicotine and drug addiction.
Deprim is created on the basis of herbal antidepressants obtained from St. John's wort. It is considered an effective remedy used to improve performance and improve mood.
Leuzea extract is prescribed for overwork to improve performance.
Of all herbal antidepressants, ginseng tincture has the best properties for strengthening the immune system. Relieves mild depression. The combination of ginseng and eleutherococcus in the medicine allows you to quickly relieve drowsiness and enhance performance.
Zamanikha tincture is used to treat insomnia and depressive disorders.
Novo-Passit consists of plant components (St. John's wort, valerian, hops, hawthorn, lemon balm, passionflower, black elderberry). It helps relieve anxiety, headaches, and tension. Used to normalize the menstrual cycle in women.
Persen - contains plant-derived antidepressants such as lemon balm, peppermint, valerian. Has a pronounced calming effect.
Schisandra chinensis tincture is used for hysteria and the treatment of reactive depression.

In conclusion, the above list of drugs contains natural antidepressants, but some of them have contraindications. Use herbal sedatives cautiously during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Attention! The effect of using herbal antidepressants is observed no earlier than 2 hours. If you have taken the drug, its effect should be assessed no earlier than after 4 hours.

Source: indepress.ru

Turmeric - a natural antidepressant in your kitchen

Turmeric is a powerful spice that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. In addition to its many healing properties, turmeric is effective against depression and stress. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is a powerful antidepressant, making turmeric an ally in the fight against depression. According to various sources, turmeric is as effective as conventional medications for depression, but without the side effects! It activates serotonin, the good mood hormone.

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Recipes for effective remedies

Herbal antidepressant-based remedies can be prepared independently. You will only need to first purchase the appropriate ingredients from a supermarket or pharmacy. There are a number of simple recipes:

Cinnamon tincture - first prepare 60 g of ground cinnamon and pour it with a glass of water. Mix thoroughly, then put the mixture in a dark place. The infusion is stirred periodically for 14 days. After 2 weeks, the drug is filtered and 35 drops are taken.
A mixture of propolis and honey helps in the fight against bad mood and insomnia. Pre-brew green tea and add 2 teaspoons of the mixture to it. Take immediately before bedtime.
Leuzea tincture is especially effective against depression. This plant has another name - maral root. Pre-prepare 100 g of root. Then finely chop it with a sharp knife, pour it into a bowl and add 100 ml of alcohol or vodka. The tincture is kept in a dark place for 2 weeks, then consumed once a day before meals, 20 drops. The general course of treatment is 12 days.
Herbal remedy for depression. The leaves of blueberries, rosemary, lemon balm and St. John's wort are first crushed and mixed. Approximately 20 g of the resulting mixture is poured into 250 g of boiled water and left to brew for 20 minutes. Then the infusion is filtered, a little honey is added and consumed as herbal tea.

It should be noted that natural antidepressants are especially effective at the initial stage of the disease. In more complex cases, they should be used in conjunction with artificial drugs.

Omega-3 natural antidepressant

Omega-3 is an excellent natural antidepressant, although its effects on cardiovascular health, dietary balance, pain and inflammation are much better known to the general public. But, adequate intake of omega-3s also helps in treating depression. The only problem is that it is difficult to get the necessary amount of Omega-3 from food to effectively combat depression, so you can turn to certified natural nutritional supplements, without pesticides or heavy metals.

Symptom and treatment

If you have trouble sleeping, headaches and anxiety, then try heating citrus, juniper and rosewood, mint and cypress, patchouli or marjoram oils in a lamp or a simple spoon. It is also important that you like the scent itself.
If you feel melancholy and despondency, then bergamot and geranium, sandalwood, orange and jasmine are perfect.
Doctors themselves advise their patients to use rose, violet, and tea tree oil to get rid of obsessive fears and mental disorders.
Before bed, you can use vanilla and ylang-ylang oil to relax. The smells are very different, so everyone will choose their own.
If you have work that requires high concentration, then stress protectors - rosemary, eucalyptus, orange and cardamom - will help you.

Ginseng is a life-giving natural antidepressant adaptogen.

Ginseng effectively regulates the immune response and hormonal changes due to stress, thereby maintaining homeostasis. In addition to suppressing the onset of psychological diseases such as anxiety and depression, ginseng also prevents stress-related physiological diseases. ( Bibliography: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S122684531630224X).

Ginseng is traditionally used as a medicinal herb in the Far East, Korea, Japan, and China. The reason for this is that ginseng contains natural antioxidant compounds. These ginsenosides, which are extracted from ginseng roots, leaves, stems, fruits, have several pharmacological effects. They are divided into about 100 different categories. Ginsenosides have been identified in many studies as effective treatments for organ damage and cell death, as well as immunological and metabolic diseases.

Ginseng is used as an adaptogen to treat various diseases, as a tonic and rejuvenating agent. Ginseng is excellent at regulating tension, compared to other shown adaptogens. This effectiveness as an antistress agent has been demonstrated using various behavioral conditioning stress tests. In vivo research has also shown that ginseng has excellent anti-stress effects.

Reishi - have you tried mushrooms for depression?

Reishi mushroom provides immune support, relieves stress and anxiety, is an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer product with a number of other benefits. Read more about why Reishi is called the “God of Mushrooms” on the Moscow Medicine Portal here https://moskovskaya-medicina.ru/sovety/reyshi-nauchnye-fakty-o-polze-i-pr….

Reishi has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It is especially useful for regulating the immune system—boosting it when it is weakened, or lowering it when the immune system is overactive. The mushroom contains more than 400 different biologically active compounds; Numerous studies have confirmed that in addition to modifying the immune system, Reishi has anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic, antioxidant, calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety, improves mood and promotes better sleep ( Bibliography : ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /19939212).

Other traditional medicine recipes

Myrtle. If you begin to feel a feeling of melancholy and loneliness, and suspect you are depressed, then try taking a bath with myrtle leaves and flowers. They can be taken either fresh or dry. Also add these flowers to tea, and also rub myrtle leaves with your hands. It is useful to inhale the smell of this tree. To calm your nerves, try pouring dried myrtle into small bags and hanging the bags in your bedroom, car, or wherever you work.
Collection of herbs. Take 2 parts of hop cones, one part each of chamomile flowers, valerian root and lemon balm, and grind in a coffee grinder. After this, take 2 tablespoons of the resulting herbal powder and brew with two glasses of boiling water. After 15 minutes of infusion, strain the broth. You should drink in sips throughout the day. Be sure to leave more medicine at night to sleep better. The course of treatment for depression should be continued for seven days.
Carrot juice. You can also advise drinking more carrot juice. Just make sure it’s freshly squeezed! It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.

Schisandra to improve mood, reduce anxiety and depression

Schisandra berry is a classic example of an adaptogenic herbal remedy, meaning that it is safe, non-toxic and specifically reduces both mental and physical stress. Schisandra is shown to improve coordination, concentration, and even endurance.

The Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Products concluded that regular consumption of Schisandra extract reduces stress-related anxiety and also improves cognitive function. According to researchers, there is fairly compelling evidence that Schisandra is a fairly potent natural anidepressant due to its ability to stimulate mood by reducing stress levels and increasing productivity in many aspects of life ( Bibliography: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20374974, ncbi .nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21757327).

Melissa - a natural aromatic antidepressant

The plant regulates mood, improves sleep quality, reduces anxiety, nervousness and irritability and anxiety. Melissa helps the body find peace and tranquility without causing harm ( Bibliography : ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3326910/).

Melissa officinalis is a perennial shrub plant from the Lamiaceae family. Back in the Middle Ages, this fragrant herb was common in Europe; nowadays it is widely cultivated throughout the world. Various studies have isolated a variety of biologically active substances from lemon balm. HPLC analyzes (high performance liquid chromatography) showed that the pharmacological effects of lemon balm extract are provided by rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid ester and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid.

Studies on healthy volunteers have shown that lemon balm extract has the ability to modulate mood and can be considered a tranquilizer and antidepressant of limited use. However, there is no exact data on the gender factor and the duration of the effect, so be sure to coordinate the use of lemon balm with your doctor.

Some subtleties

People most often imagine that folk remedies for depression and anxiety are sold in pharmacies and look like pills. In fact, this is not true at all. First of all, this is the order of business and the optimization of work and rest schedules. Please note the following points:

Develop the habit of keeping your back straight. Surprisingly, such a simple technique helps change a person’s physical well-being and psychological well-being. A person with a straight back and a raised head simply cannot feel bad.
Increase your magnesium intake. It is not necessary to buy tablets at the pharmacy. If your diet includes nuts and beans, cauliflower, buckwheat and wheat groats, raspberries and strawberries, black currants and blackberries, rye bread and cheese, tomatoes, then you don’t have to worry about a lack of magnesium.
Eating natural sweets and avoiding unhealthy foods. And this is also an important point. Many people try to eat away their bad mood with sweets and cakes. It is important to overcome this thought and buy dried apricots, prunes, and figs. Unlike confectionery products, dried fruits help no worse, but at the same time they do not put off extra pounds.