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Hi'iaka's Healing Herb Garden : Column Index : 2002 : Oct02
Coming Soon...
Beating the Blues the Natural Way
During a recent vacation in California, I was surprised and distressed to see prescription bottles of the antidepressant drugs Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil in many people's homes. It's as though these drugs have taken the place of natural remedies such as the effective St. John's wort herb, healthy eating, fresh air and exercise, and spending quality time with loved ones.
What Exactly is Depression, Anyway?
According to Christopher Hobbs in Herbal Remedies for Dummies, depression is a “mental state characterized by sadness and in extreme cases hopelessness and a loss of enjoyment in normal activities. In holistic terms, depression is an imbalance due to a lack of vital energy, often as a result of prolonged stress, poor nutrition and overwork, and the resulting weakening of the adrenal, nervous, and digestive systems.” Stephen Foster, in his book 101 Medicinal Herbs, adds that feelings of “uselessness, fear, and difficult or disturbed sleep” can also be symptoms of depression.
A form of temporary depression that happens even in Hawaii is seasonal affective disorder (SAD): many people, including myself, feel depressed when the sun doesn't shine for weeks on end. This is normal and does not mean that there's something wrong with you! It's also normal to feel down when things aren't going well in our lives. You needn't despair further: the herb St. John's wort might provide the help that you need to get you through a difficult time or a month-long rainstorm.
If you believe you are suffering from depression, talk to your doctor or other qualified health care provider before beginning any self-medication with herbs.
Bad Press About St. John's Wort
St. John's wort (SJW), or Hypericum perforatum, was used as long ago as first-century Greece. In Medieval Europe, it was used to treat emotional and nervous complaints. In modern times, it is a widely-prescribed treatment for depression in Germany, where doctors use SJW as a “first-line remedy for mild to moderate depression.” (American Botanical Council report, April 2002) In 1997 it emerged as the most popular herb in the US after a segment on the TV show 20/20. However, press reports in 2002 incorrectly gave the impression that SJW is not helpful for depression. In April of 2002, a US government study was published that concluded that SJW (and Zoloft as well, mind you) is NOT effective in patients with more severe forms of depression. Herbalists have known this for many years-it is not news! It is good for mild to moderate depression, not severe cases of this debilitating disease. The American Botanical Council countered that “St. John's wort has proved to help elevate mood in mild or moderately depressed people. At least 22 controlled clinical trials have been published in European medical journals suggesting that St. John's wort is a safe and effective remedy for mild to moderate depression.” (See their website at www.herbalgram.org for much more information.) I have a suspicion that the drug companies, who make billions of dollars from their patented prescription formulas, are fearful that their bottom line will be affected if too many people seek herbal treatments for their illnesses.
Formulas For Beating the Blues
According to Christopher Hobbs, SJW tincture or standardized extract is the most proven herbal antidepressant. He often adds gingko leaf to increase brain energy and metabolism, and/or red Korean or red Chinese ginseng to increase vital energy. He also recommends inhaling lavender essential oil to lift your spirits. His formula for lifting mild depression is as follows:
I would add to this excellent list that it wouldn't hurt to do something nice for another person, such as visit a shut-in, or take cookies to an elderly person. Get out of yourself for a few moments and you'll be happier after you do. Hawaiians of ancient and modern times perform a ho'oponopono ritual to “put things right,” especially among family members, when one of them falls ill. The emotional and spiritual healing that results from settling arguments or misunderstandings with loved ones is a powerful force. So if you're feeling depressed, think about what might be wrong in your interactions with loved ones. Then talk to them about it and get things out in the open. It can help to lift the clouds of depression that might be weighing you down. I believe it's good to help yourself by taking an active role in your emotional and physical health, and try not to rely on a little pill to do ho'oponopono for you.
Cautions and Possible Drug Interactions:
As with any drugs or herbs you take, be smart, not sorry. Inform yourself about what you're taking before you start taking it. Here are some guidelines from the experts on St. John's wort:
Additional Information:
SJW is “an upright, perennial, weedy herb with bright yellow flowers and small leaves. It's available in many forms-tincture, standardized extracts in tablets or capsules, and as a bulk herb.” (C. Hobbs)
In the clinical studies that have been conducted, over 50% of the people studied suffered side effects when taking prescription antidepressants, while only 20% of the test subjects reported side effects from their doses of SJW. Fewer than 1% of people on SJW dropped out of the studies, while 3% who were taking prescription antidepressants dropped out because of adverse side effects. (S. Foster; www.stevenfoster.com)
Beating the Blues the Natural Way
During a recent vacation in California, I was surprised and distressed to see prescription bottles of the antidepressant drugs Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil in many people's homes. It's as though these drugs have taken the place of natural remedies such as the effective St. John's wort herb, healthy eating, fresh air and exercise, and spending quality time with loved ones.
What Exactly is Depression, Anyway?
According to Christopher Hobbs in Herbal Remedies for Dummies, depression is a “mental state characterized by sadness and in extreme cases hopelessness and a loss of enjoyment in normal activities. In holistic terms, depression is an imbalance due to a lack of vital energy, often as a result of prolonged stress, poor nutrition and overwork, and the resulting weakening of the adrenal, nervous, and digestive systems.” Stephen Foster, in his book 101 Medicinal Herbs, adds that feelings of “uselessness, fear, and difficult or disturbed sleep” can also be symptoms of depression.
A form of temporary depression that happens even in Hawaii is seasonal affective disorder (SAD): many people, including myself, feel depressed when the sun doesn't shine for weeks on end. This is normal and does not mean that there's something wrong with you! It's also normal to feel down when things aren't going well in our lives. You needn't despair further: the herb St. John's wort might provide the help that you need to get you through a difficult time or a month-long rainstorm.
If you believe you are suffering from depression, talk to your doctor or other qualified health care provider before beginning any self-medication with herbs.
Bad Press About St. John's Wort
St. John's wort (SJW), or Hypericum perforatum, was used as long ago as first-century Greece. In Medieval Europe, it was used to treat emotional and nervous complaints. In modern times, it is a widely-prescribed treatment for depression in Germany, where doctors use SJW as a “first-line remedy for mild to moderate depression.” (American Botanical Council report, April 2002) In 1997 it emerged as the most popular herb in the US after a segment on the TV show 20/20. However, press reports in 2002 incorrectly gave the impression that SJW is not helpful for depression. In April of 2002, a US government study was published that concluded that SJW (and Zoloft as well, mind you) is NOT effective in patients with more severe forms of depression. Herbalists have known this for many years-it is not news! It is good for mild to moderate depression, not severe cases of this debilitating disease. The American Botanical Council countered that “St. John's wort has proved to help elevate mood in mild or moderately depressed people. At least 22 controlled clinical trials have been published in European medical journals suggesting that St. John's wort is a safe and effective remedy for mild to moderate depression.” (See their website at www.herbalgram.org for much more information.) I have a suspicion that the drug companies, who make billions of dollars from their patented prescription formulas, are fearful that their bottom line will be affected if too many people seek herbal treatments for their illnesses.
Formulas For Beating the Blues
According to Christopher Hobbs, SJW tincture or standardized extract is the most proven herbal antidepressant. He often adds gingko leaf to increase brain energy and metabolism, and/or red Korean or red Chinese ginseng to increase vital energy. He also recommends inhaling lavender essential oil to lift your spirits. His formula for lifting mild depression is as follows:
* Combine 1 teaspoon each of the following tinctures in 1 cup of water and drink 1/2 cup, morning and evening, away from mealtimes: SJW, gingko, rosemary, lavender, and 1/2 tsp. of red ginseng tincture.
* Include more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your diet. Decrease your intake of fat and make sure you're getting enough high-quality protein from fish, beans, tofu, and nutritional yeast.
* Regular exercise, fresh air, and deep breathing are also good depression busters.
* Include more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your diet. Decrease your intake of fat and make sure you're getting enough high-quality protein from fish, beans, tofu, and nutritional yeast.
* Regular exercise, fresh air, and deep breathing are also good depression busters.
I would add to this excellent list that it wouldn't hurt to do something nice for another person, such as visit a shut-in, or take cookies to an elderly person. Get out of yourself for a few moments and you'll be happier after you do. Hawaiians of ancient and modern times perform a ho'oponopono ritual to “put things right,” especially among family members, when one of them falls ill. The emotional and spiritual healing that results from settling arguments or misunderstandings with loved ones is a powerful force. So if you're feeling depressed, think about what might be wrong in your interactions with loved ones. Then talk to them about it and get things out in the open. It can help to lift the clouds of depression that might be weighing you down. I believe it's good to help yourself by taking an active role in your emotional and physical health, and try not to rely on a little pill to do ho'oponopono for you.
Cautions and Possible Drug Interactions:
As with any drugs or herbs you take, be smart, not sorry. Inform yourself about what you're taking before you start taking it. Here are some guidelines from the experts on St. John's wort:
* People with fair skin may break out in hives or blisters if exposed to too much sunlight. Stay out of the sun and the tanning salon if you are taking St. John's wort. (S. Foster)
* If you get ocular migraines (the kind that's triggered by light), this herb may trigger them. (My personal experience)
* If you are taking estrogen, in the form of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, SJW can cause breakthrough bleeding and possible unwanted pregnancy. (Herbs for Health magazine, Jan./Feb. 2001; www.herbsforhealth.com)
* SJW may also interact with other prescription drugs such as Cycolsporine, Indinavir, Warfarin, Theophylline, antidepressant drugs such as Amitriptyline, Digoxin-based drugs, and some serotonin reuptake inhibitors (for example, paroxetine). (Herbs for Health) If you're not sure what you're taking, ask your doctor.
* If you get ocular migraines (the kind that's triggered by light), this herb may trigger them. (My personal experience)
* If you are taking estrogen, in the form of birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy, SJW can cause breakthrough bleeding and possible unwanted pregnancy. (Herbs for Health magazine, Jan./Feb. 2001; www.herbsforhealth.com)
* SJW may also interact with other prescription drugs such as Cycolsporine, Indinavir, Warfarin, Theophylline, antidepressant drugs such as Amitriptyline, Digoxin-based drugs, and some serotonin reuptake inhibitors (for example, paroxetine). (Herbs for Health) If you're not sure what you're taking, ask your doctor.
Additional Information:
SJW is “an upright, perennial, weedy herb with bright yellow flowers and small leaves. It's available in many forms-tincture, standardized extracts in tablets or capsules, and as a bulk herb.” (C. Hobbs)
In the clinical studies that have been conducted, over 50% of the people studied suffered side effects when taking prescription antidepressants, while only 20% of the test subjects reported side effects from their doses of SJW. Fewer than 1% of people on SJW dropped out of the studies, while 3% who were taking prescription antidepressants dropped out because of adverse side effects. (S. Foster; www.stevenfoster.com)
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