Blog Category
Depression is a profound and complex condition, and I approach this subject with great care. Herbal medicine has a genuine and well-researched role to play for mild to moderate depression — St John's wort has been studied as extensively as any pharmaceutical antidepressant and found to be comparably effective for this range of severity, with a significantly better side-effect profile. But I also want to be clear: moderate to severe depression is a serious medical condition that requires professional support. The articles in this section are intended to inform, to complement professional care, and to offer hope — because herbal medicine, at its best, can be part of a meaningful path toward greater wellbeing.
ASOHM News
28 September 2021
Further to my previous blog titled SAFE Herbs for Mums & Bubs, the following is a selection of recipes and/or remedies for different issues that may arise, either before or after giving birth. Blood Building 50g Calendula 50g Red clover 50g Stinging nettle Directions: Prepare the herbs as below* and drink three to four cups […]
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ASOHM News
24 May 2021
For thousands of years the Chinese have credited ginseng as the “king of the herbs”, believing it to be good for everything from sex problems to terminal diseases! Its botanical name Panax is derived from the Greek word panakos, a panacea, in reference to the miraculous virtue ascribed to it by the Chinese. The History […]
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Anxiety
24 June 2019
Passionflower or Passiflora incarnata is a climbing vine that is native to the south-eastern United States. It consists of about 400 different species and many of these are highly prized for their showy, unusual flowers. The above ground parts of the plant are used in herbal medicine, for their antispasmodic, sedative, hypnotic and narcotic properties, […]
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Anxiety
11 June 2019
St John’s wort (also known as Hypericum) is a shrubby perennial wildflower which can be found growing in uncultivated dry gravelly soil, woods, hedges, meadows and on roadsides. There are many ancient superstitions regarding this plant and some legends dedicate it to Saint John the Baptist. It’s botanical name Hypericum perforatum is derived from the […]
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ASOHM News
26 March 2019
Balm mint is often called Melissa and Lemon balm—its botanical name is Melissa officinalis. In English, balm means healing and soothing, which also happens to be the attributes of the herb, according to extensive scientific research. Melissa is from the Greek signifying honey bee, indicative of the attraction the flowers have for bees on account […]
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25 January 2018
The Hypericum plant, otherwise known as St John’s wort, is a perennial herb that has been used to treat nervous conditions since the times of ancient Greece. The hypericum plant contains a number of chemical compounds, some of which are known to be helpful in treating the symptoms of depression and anxiety. The hypericum plant […]
Read article →Supporting mood and mental health with herbal medicine is not about replacing professional care — it is about expanding the toolkit available to people who are working toward recovery and resilience. These articles are written with that intention.
St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is the most extensively studied herbal medicine for depression, with a Cochrane review of over 29 clinical trials concluding it is superior to placebo and similarly effective to standard antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, with fewer adverse effects. Its active compounds — hypericin and hyperforin — influence serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline pathways in ways that parallel pharmaceutical antidepressants.
St John's wort is a potent inducer of liver enzymes (particularly CYP3A4), which means it can reduce the effectiveness of a large number of pharmaceutical drugs — including oral contraceptives, antiretrovirals, cyclosporin, and several chemotherapy agents. It must never be combined with pharmaceutical antidepressants due to the risk of serotonin syndrome. These interactions are significant and non-negotiable — medical disclosure is essential before use.
Saffron (Crocus sativus) is an emerging herb for depression with a growing evidence base, showing efficacy in multiple small trials for mild to moderate depression. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) has antidepressant effects in addition to its adaptogenic properties, particularly for depression associated with exhaustion and burnout. Lemon balm and passionflower address the anxiety that frequently accompanies depression.
The gut produces approximately 90% of the body's serotonin, and the bidirectional communication between gut and brain (the gut-brain axis) is now well established. Gut dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation are increasingly linked to depression — supporting gut health through diet, probiotics, and gut-healing herbs is therefore a legitimate component of a comprehensive approach to mood.
Yes, significantly. Iron deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, B12 and folate deficiency, omega-3 deficiency, and magnesium deficiency are all associated with depressive symptoms. Addressing these through diet and appropriate supplementation alongside herbal support is essential — herbs work best when nutritional foundations are sound.
Inflammatory cytokines can cross the blood-brain barrier and interfere with neurotransmitter production and neuroplasticity. This has led to significant interest in anti-inflammatory herbs — turmeric, omega-3 fatty acids, and boswellia — as adjuncts in depression, particularly where inflammatory markers are elevated.
Immediately, if: you are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide; depression is significantly impairing your daily functioning; symptoms have persisted for more than two weeks; or you have a history of severe depression, bipolar disorder, or psychosis. Herbal medicine is most appropriate as a complement to — not a substitute for — professional care in these circumstances.
The nervous system herbs — including those for mood support — are covered in depth in Lesson 7 of our course. Understanding how these plants interact with neurochemistry, and when they are and are not appropriate, is knowledge that can genuinely change lives. View lesson packages and enrol today.