Herbs for Depression and Anxiety

Herbs for depression and anxiety are a great alternative to prescription medications like Alprazolam and Wellbutrin. Prescription drugs tend to have bothersome and potentially harmful side effects. However, herbs for depression and anxiety allow sufferers to naturally and effectively deal with the symptoms of social anxiety disorder and depression. Herbs for depression and anxiety often produce the same results as prescribed drugs without the tormenting withdrawal symptoms.

Most Popular Herbs for Depression and Anxiety

There are a number of herbs marketed as effective treatments for depression and anxiety. Some work and some of them don't. Instead of wasting your time on what doesn't work, we'll share with you the herbs for depression and anxiety that have been proven to work. Incorporating these herbs for depression and anxiety into a well-balanced diet will certainly ease tension and bring a renewed sense of calm to your mental state.

Magnolia Bark

Magnolia officinalis
Originally used by the Chinese around 100 A.D. for its therapeutic properties. In ancient medicine, Magnolia bark was used as a common anxiety reliever. Today, new scientific research has yielded proof that this bark is rich in two important biphenyl compounds, honokiol and magnolol. These two biphenyls help regulate the bodies primary stress hormone, cortisol. Magnolia bark's anti-anxiety effects make it a useful product for those suffering from insomnia.

Phellodendron Bark

Phellodendron amurense
One of the original 50 “fundamental herbs”  described in ancient Chinese medicine, Phellodendron bark (cork-tree) was originally called Huang bi. Phellodendron bark is widely touted for its anxiety relieving properties and is thought to stop stress by regulating the cortisol (stress hormone) levels in the body.

St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort is one of the few herbs found to be effective for treating depression and anxiety by rigorous clinical trials. Make sure you buy products that have the St. John's Wort active chemical hypericin standardized to at least 0.3%. When companies do not list the strengths you have no idea of what you are getting. 0.3% hypericin has been found to be more effective for treating even severe depression than the prescription drug Paroxetine (Paxil). Doctors in Germany often prescribe St. John's Wort for depression.

Valerian

Valerian is regarded as one of the most powerful herbs for depression and anxiety. It has been known to positively influence the body's production of GABA - a neurotransmitter that affects the pharmacology of anxiety.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is traditionally called the “calming herb”. Researchers have isolated Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids as the main properties of Lemon Balm that are responsible for its various wellness benefits. Commonly used as a sedative when dealing with depression and anxiety, Lemon Balm has also been known to treat stomach gas and cramps, the flu, and thyroid disorders. Lemon Balm is also known to lower blood pressure, improve the memory, and lessen the severity of insomnia and indigestion.

Hops Powder

Humulus Lupulus
Hops powder has been used over the centuries to insomnia, and recently has been extensively researched in the fight against tension and anxiety. Hops powder is still controversial as a treatment against depression, with many herbal practitioners still at a stalemate regarding its effectiveness when dealing with marked depression.

Skullcap

Scutellaria lateriflora
Skullcap is a native North American plant that has powerful medicinal properties. Widely used as treatment in a wide variety of nervous disorders, it has been known to alleviate hysteria, anxiety, epilepsy, insomnia, and delirium tremens. Skullcap is currently being used as an alternative treatment for ADD and neuralgia.

Passion Flower

Passiflora edulis
Traditionally used by Native Americans in North America as a tea used to treat hysteria, insomnia, and epilepsy. Passionflower is also prized for its alkaloids containing painkilling qualities. New research has shown that Passionflower is also effective for treating anxiety disorders naturally.  

5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan)

Scientific research has shown that an increased intake of 5-HTP causes the brain's serotonin-producing neurons to step up serotonin production. Serotonin plays a vital role in the brain as a neurotransmitter in the regulation of depression, anger, mood, and sleep. Modern psychiatric research has proved that serotonin is responsible for about 15% of all anxiety-related personality disorders.  5-HTP is currently used in cutting edge research on fibromyalgia as well as depression related sleep disorders.

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba is known to have a positive effect on the cerebellum as it regulates neurotransmitters and increases the flow of blood to the brain.

Siberian Ginseng

Siberian Ginseng provides noticeable relief from the symptoms of anxiety and depression by enhancing the equilibrium of neurotransmitters like dopamine, epinephrine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Siberian Ginseng is one of the most ancient herbs for depression and anxiety as it has been a component of Chinese medicinal practices for centuries.

Chamomile

Matricaria chamomilla
Chamomile extract is another strong contender on this list. It's such a popular and effective treatment, in fact, that the German government has officially approved it for medical use. And the reason for that decision is backed up by science. Chamomile has a proven influence on GABA receptors, effectively blocking GABA receptor sites so that your brain has more of this feel-good neurotransmitter floating around freely. And the more free GABA you have, the better you'll feel.

Herbs for Depression and Anxiety: Final Word

Incorporating these herbs for depression and anxiety into a well-balanced diet will certainly ease tension and bring a renewed sense of calm to your mental state.