They say that we find everything the body needs within nature.  And it's true that there are many plants and herbs that help to lift our mood and help us to feel better.

I thought I'd write a short list of some of the herbs that the medical profession generally accept can help with mild depression and tell you some of my experiences with them. 

Remember though, if you are having suicidal thoughts, or are feeling totally overwhelmed by sad and difficult thoughts, you should speak with your doctor or health professional; everything on this list is really for mild rather than deep clinical depression.

St. John's Wort and Kava Kava

Many doctors, particularly in European countries, believe that this herb can prove as effective as some of the milder anti-depressives.  When I used it  found that it helped to 'lift' the way I was feeling as long as I wasn't in a really deep depression.  It worked to lift me when I was kind of 'on my way down' as it were. Have a chat with your doctor though before you start taking these supplements.  I believe that St. John's Wort, though harmless in itself, helps to 'thin' the blood and can therefore cause problems if a person taking it has an operation.  Just something to think about...

CoQ10, Ginko Biloba and Ginseng

This is a herb which helps to boost energy. I remember using it at a time where I was really struggling with low energy levels. I was helping to take care of my elderly mother who was so ill she was essentially disabled, and working in a really demanding job. My slide into depression was accompanied by the most incredible fatigue. At the weekends I would struggle to get out of bed when there was office to go to. I can't vouch for what might happen for you, but my experience with CoQ10 was that it made the difference between lying under the covers for 18 hours a day living off crackers and hunks of cheese, and actually getting up and getting on with my day and getting some quality out of my life.

B Vitamins, Iron and Fish Oils

Ok, ok, I know they're not herbs. But since we're in the groove of talking about natural supplements I have to mention these. We all know now that proper (or improper) nutrition has a huge effect on our physical bodies, and science is now catching up with the fact that nutrition also greatly affects our emotional health. Eating decent greens and vegetables, or at the very least taking a quality supplement to make sure I got the right B Vitamins, Iron and Pantothenic Acid etc. made a heck of a difference to my depression. When I'm down I comfort eat and end up with a real deficit in decent nutrition, so my personal experience was that the effects kicked in within a day or two.

There you go, my short list of the natural supplements that helped me on my climb back out of depression. There are many more herbal supplements that other people recommend highly; I'm just sharing the are just the ones that helped me.

Here again is that list:

1. St John's Wort

2. Kava Kava

3. CoQ10

4. Ginko Biloba

5. Ginseng

6. B Vitamins

7. Iron

8. Quality Fish Oils



Wishing you health, wealth and true happiness.

Lorraine