Herbal Remedies for Depression

“What do you know about herbal remedies for depression?”

The good news about depression is that we now know more than ever about this extremely common medical condition. The bad news is that I’m not convinced that there’s any truly effective herbal remedy that really works, especially for more severe cases. Natural remedies like St. John’s wort may get talked about quite often in internet chat rooms and supermarket magazines but the science behind them is often less compelling than it might seem.

But if you would like to take a stab at addressing symptoms of mild depression with herbs and nutritional supplements, here are a few to discuss during your next visit to your physician:

St. John’s Wort

In recent years, much attention has been paid to a small flowering herb known as St. John’s wort. Approved by Germany’s Commission E, this remedy is usually sold not as a “cut” herb but as a standardized extract. And some studies have found that this extract performs as well as some of the most popular prescription depression medications. St. John’s wort, for some people who take it, may help ease related symptoms, too—like insomnia and fatigue.

But one issue that gets only a cursory glance on health forums is the potential for side effects. St. John’s wort is known to interact with dozens of prescription medications and can also cause, in rare cases, severe sunburn-like injuries that doctors call phototoxic reactions. Then there’s the problem of time. St. John’s wort won’t work for everyone and when it does, it often takes a month or more to begin.

Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba, which is usually just referred to as “ginkgo” is another herb sold mainly as a standardized extract and, like St. John’s wort, is showing potential. But unilke SJW, ginkgo may be especially helpful to older people who may not respond well to mainstream depression medications. Exactly how (or even if) ginkgo actually works for depression is unknown at this time.

Non-Herbal Approaches to Mood Disorders

As our knowledge about depression continues to expand, science sometimes presents conflicting information about how best to address it. A few studies have suggested, for instance, that allergies to food additives may trigger some forms of depression while exposure to sunlight may help alleviate symptoms. (In fact, the link to sunlight exposure is so strong that sunlight-linked depression actually has its own name—SAD or seasonal affective disorder.)

Exercise may also help many people. Dr. Andrew Weil tells his web site’s visitors that there’s no better approach to mild depression than regular exercise. Indeed, researchers beleive that regular aerobic exercise may provide a one-two-punch against symptoms of mild depression. Exercise increases levels of “happy” hormones and helps your body better use insulin, which in itself is linked to better control of depression symptoms.

SAM-e

SAM-e, or S-adenosyl-l-methionine, is a chemical found naturally in every living cell. In the human body, this vital substance is an active player in at least 40 different reactions. SAM-e is best-known as a natural treatment for cirrhosis and some types of arthritis but SAM-e may also help many people better deal with depression. SAM-e may not be appropriate for people with bipolar disorder but for most others, SAM-e is well-tolerated and seems to have far less potential for drug interactions than herbs like St. John’s wort.

Now, it should go without saying that depression is a medical condition and only a qualified health care professional should be giving medical advice to depression sufferers. And remember, “natural” doesn’t automatically make something “safe”. Every herbal remedy discussed in this article has at least some potential for side effects and most have at least some potential to interact with other herbs and/or prescription medications. So, if you would like more information about these or any other herbal remedies for depression, talk to your doctor for the information that’s right for you.

References:

Blumenthal, M., et al. (1998). The Complete German Commission E Monographs.

Schubert, H., et al. (1993). Depressive episode primarily unresponsive to therapy in elderly patients; efficacy of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in combination with antidepressants.

Weil, A. Natural Depression Treatment. Retrieved from drweil.com on May 15, 2008.

Brown, M., et al. (1981). Food allergy in polysymptomatic patients.

Matinsen, E. (1985). Benefits of exercise for the treatment of depression.

Bressa, G. (1994). S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) as antidepressant: meta-analysis of clinical studies.

Herbal Remedies for Acne

“Is there a truly effective herbal acne remedy? My grandson is dealing with this and I really want to steer his parents toward something natural first.”

Well, obviously only his doctor is qualified to evaluate your grandson’s acne but I can give you some ideas that he can talk over with his doctor during his next visit.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree is an “essential” oil distilled from the Australian tree known as tea tree or Melaleuca alternifolia. Some research suggests that while tea tree doesn’t work as fast as benzoyl peroxide, it works with fewer side efects. In one notable study, done in 1990, researchers compared a 5% benzoyl peroxide solution to a gel solution containing 5% tea trea oil. Both products were tested on people with mild to moderate acne and both reduced the number of both inflamed and non-inflamed lesions.

Guggul

Guggul is an Ayurvedic remedy from India that is currently the focus of a good bit of research on cholesterol. But researchers have also linked guggul to reduced inflammation in acne patients. In fact, a 1994 found gugulipid slighlty more effective at reducing inflammation than the prescription drug tetracycline.

Evening Primrose Oil

I can find no studies looking at evening primrose and acne, but this botanical supplement is one of the richest natural sources of the essential fatty acids that your skin needs for optimal health. Numerous studies have linked evening primrose to reduced inlfammation in conditions like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis so perhaps it may benefit some acne sufferers as well.

Non-Herbal Approaches

Zinc has long been associated with immunity and while medical experts don’t really understand exactly how zinc works on acne, some studies have found that low doses of zinc gluconate—200 mg per day—may significantly reduce the inflammation associated with this condition.

Of course, only your grandson’s doctor is qualified to give him medical advice and all of these herbs have at least some potential for harm. If your grandson would like more information on these or any other herbal acne remedy, encourage him to seek the advice of a qualified medical professional.

References:

Bassett, I., et al. (1990). A comparative study of tea-tree oil versus benzoyl peroxide in the treatment of acne.

Dreno, B., et al. (1989). Low doses of zinc gluconate for inflammatory acne.

Berbis, P., et al. (1990). [Essential fatty acids and the skin.]

Thappa, D., et al. (1994). Nodulocystic acne: oral gugulipid versus tetracycline.

Acupressure for Diabetes?

What do you think of acupressure to treat diabetes?  I read it here [URL removed].

I notice that you got this article from one of those big “how-to” sites that doesn’t even require its “experts’ to use real names.  That’s my first problem—the writer doesn’t even identify himself or herself yet this article is clearly giving medical advice and specific instructions on how to perform a technique intended to cure a disease.  That leaves a very bad taste in my mouth.  If you’re going to give medical advice, the very least you can do is show why you’re qualified to do so.

My second problem with this article is that there are NO medical references listed as proof.  The only “reference” is a link to a web site selling everything from “home study” books to magnetic set pads.

But Back To The Question.  Are There Any Studies On Acupressure & Diabetes?

You might find it suprising to learn that there are actually a couple of studies on acupressure and diabetes listed in various medical journals. One of the most recent was a 2008 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. This study found that by using very specific massage techniques for several consecutive days researachers could effectivley increase the concentration of antioxidative enzymes in patients with diabetes.

Does this mean that acupressure can cure diabetes? Certainly not. While practices like acupressure, acupuncture and even aromatherapy may help some people better manage problems associated conditions like diabetes there is absoluely no evidence that they can cure it. 

Sources:

No Author Listed. (2008). Retrieved from www.ehow.com/how_2124688_treat-diabetes-acupressure.html on June 25, 2008.

Liu, C., et al. (2008). Effect of auricular pellet acupressure on antioxidative systems in high-risk diabetes mellitus.