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Naturopathic/Holistic Treatment of
Mild to Moderate Depression
By Rena Freedenberg, ND
Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with some or
all of the following symptoms: a depressed mood, a loss of interest in
things that once brought pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth,
disturbed sleep patterns, changes in appetite, a lack of energy, and poor
concentration. These symptoms lead to impairments in an individuals ability to take care of his or her everyday responsibilities and can
become chronic or recurrent.
According the World Health Organization (WHO), depression is
common worldwide, affecting about 121 million people. Untreated
depression can lead to suicide, and the WHO estimates that 850,000
people worldwide commit suicide every year. Depression is the leading
cause of disability worldwide and was the 4th leading contributor to
the global burden of disease for the year 2000, according to the WHO.
Their estimates project that depression will rise to 2nd place in the
global burden of disease listing by the year 2020.
In many patients, mild to moderate depression can be successfully
treated with a variety of naturopathic and holistic options, such as dietary
changes, dietary supplements, exercise, massage, herbs, and sunlight.
Naturopathic medicine is based on the philosophy of addressing
the basic underlying cause of any health condition. Proper nutrition
is a foundational component of any natural medicine program. Nutrition affects mood through the many substrates and nutrients needed
for proper neurotransmitter synthesis and function. A healthy diet is
not only essential for proper neurotransmitter balance, but it affects
the immune system in ways that then affect neurotransmitter function.
The inclusion of exercise is also of utmost importance in any program
addressing mood disorders. In addition to nutritional intervention and
exercise, there are many other therapies that may improve mood in
patients with mild depression. Following are a number of evidencebased, effective alternative/naturopathic treatments for depression,
including dietary supplements, massage, herbs, sunlight, and more.
Anthroposophic Therapy
Aromatherapy Massage
Jasmine increases the beta waves in the frontal lobe, which can
create a more alert and responsive state of mind.
Rosemary relieves headaches and aids clear thinking.
Patchouli has an uplifting effect for depression and anxiety.
Chamomile is very calming; it soothes nerves and helps insomnia.
Geranium is both sedative and uplifting and thus is used
for treating nervous tension, depression, and hormonal and
menstrual problems.
A 2007 clinical study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology
looked at the effectiveness of aromatherapy massage in the management of anxiety and depression in patients with cancer. Two hundred
eighty-eight cancer patients in the United Kingdom, referred to
complementary therapy services because of clinical anxiety and/or
depression, were randomized to a course of aromatherapy massage or
usual supportive care alone. The authors concluded that aromatherapy
massage does not appear to confer benefit on cancer patients anxiety
and/or depression in the long-term but is associated with clinically
important benefit up to 2 weeks after the intervention.3 In other words,
aromatherapy is not a cure for depression, but it may be an effective
short-term aid in managing depression and anxiety when used with
other treatment options.
Another study was conducted with nursing students in Korea to
test the effectiveness of lavender essential oil on insomnia and depression. In a 4-week-long, single-blind, repeated-measurements experiment, researchers studied 42 female students who complained of
insomnia. The lavender fragrance had a beneficial effect on insomnia
and depression in the students, though repeated studies would be
needed to confirm effective proportions of lavender oil and carrier oil
for insomnia and depression.4
A controlled trial conducted in Thailand tested the relaxation
properties of ylang ylang oil. The oil caused a significant decrease in
blood pressure, a significant increase in skin temperature, and a greater
sense of calm and more relaxation. The authors conclude that there is
evidence of the effectiveness of ylang ylang oil for relief of depression
and stress in humans.5
Dietary Changes/Supplements
Dietary Recommendations
Foods that are rich inomega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce
neuronal phospholipid turnover. In one study, registered difference
images showed that the omega-3 treatment was accompanied by
structural brain changes including, in particular, a reduction in the
lateral ventricular volume.12 A 2007 meta-analysis of trials involving
patients with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder provided
evidence that omega-3 PUFA supplementation reduces symptoms of
depression.13 The foods with the highest amounts of omega 3 are flax
seeds, Chia seeds, walnuts, baked/broiled salmon, soybeans, baked/
broiled halibut, sardines, herring, tofu, and winter squash. Other foods
containing omega-3s are canola oil, olive oil, broccoli, cantaloupe,
kidney beans, spinach, grape leaves, Chinese cabbage, and cauliflower.
Dietary Magnesium
B Vitamins
Vitamin D
Exercise
Natural Medicines
St. Johns Wort is a bushy plant with a turpentine-like odor, with yellow
flowers whose petals have black dots on the margins. Its extract has
been used in various folk remedies and herbal tinctures since Roman
times. It is used extensively in both the United States and Europe to
treat mild to moderate depression.
A German study compared the effectiveness of St. Johns wort with
imipramine, a well-known anti-depressant. The trials involved 40
outpatient clinics in Germany with a total of 324 outpatients suffering
mild to moderate depression. Participants were given either 75 mg
imipramine twice daily or 250 mg Hypericum perforatum extract ZE
117 twice daily for 6 weeks. The study concluded that Hypericum perforatum extract is therapeutically equivalent to imipramine in treating
mild to moderate depression and is better tolerated.37
Another German review investigated the efficacy and side effects of
Hypericum perforatum. This study looked at 27 trials that included a
total of 2,291 patients who met inclusion criteria. Seventeen trials, with
a total of 1,168 patients, were placebo-controlled (16 addressed single
preparations, 1 a combination with 4 other plant extracts). Ten trials
(8 single preparations, 2 combinations of Hypericum and Valeriana)
with a total of 1,123 patients compared Hypericum with other antidepressant or sedative drugs. Most trials were 4 to 6 weeks long. Participants usually had neurotic depression or mild to moderate severe
depressive disorders. The study concluded that there is evidence
that extracts of Hypericum are more effective than placebo for the
short-term treatment of mild to moderately severe depressive disorders. The proportions of patients reporting side effects were 26.3% for
Hypericum single preparations versus 44.7% for standard antidepressants and 14.6% for combinations versus 26.5% with amitriptyline or
desipramine. In other words, patients taking standard antidepressant
medications were almost twice as likely to experience side effects as
patients taking Hypericum.
Until 2004, only one randomized controlled trial had been
conducted using Hypericum in patients with severe depression, but
it was underpowered and so its negative findings were questionable.39
With this in mind, German researchers conducted a study of acute
treatment of moderate to severe depression with Hypericum extract
WS 5570 versus paroxetine. The study involved 251 adult outpatients
with acute major depression with total score 22 on the 17-item
Hamilton depression scale from 21 psychiatric primary care practices
in Germany. Patients were given either 900 mg/day Hypericum extract
WS 5570 [300 mg three times per day] or 20 mg paroxetine once per
day for 6 weeks. (In initial non-responders, doses were increased to
1,800 mg/day Hypericum or 40 mg/day paroxetine after 2 weeks.) The
study concluded that Hypericum extract WS 5570 is at least as effective
as paroxetine in the treatment of moderate to severe major depression
and is better tolerated.40
2009 Natural Medicine Journal 1(4), December 2009 | Page 3
Ginkgo Biloba
The ginkgo biloba tree is an ancient species of tree native to the Asia.
Chinese herbalists have used ginkgo biloba for thousands of years, and
it is one of the most widely studied botanical products. Ginkgo biloba
is widely used throughout both the United States and Europe. Since
ginkgo biloba nuts are mildly toxic, most of the ginkgo biloba sold is in
the form of a standardized extract of the leaves of the tree.
Ginkgo has a long history in traditional medicine for treating circulatory disorders and enhancing memory. Scientific studies throughout the
years support the effectiveness of ginkgo for these problems.43,44,45,46,47,48
Evidence to date shows that ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) is primarily
effective in the elderly and when treating disorders that are caused by
diminished cerebral blood flow. Laboratory studies have shown that
GBE improves blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and reducing
the stickiness of blood platelets. Ginkgo leaves also contain flavonoids
and terpenoids, which are powerful antioxidants.49,50
Ginkgo biloba can be used to enhance other depression treatments
and sometimes can be used alone instead of pharmaceutical treatments for mild cases of depression. Even in cases where ginkgo is used
as an adjunct to other depression treatments, it can be helpful as an aid
to improving short-term memory by improving cerebral circulation.
S-adenosylmethionine
5-Hydroxytryptophan
Phototherapy
Energy Psychology
Many of the bodys electrical systems and energy fields are understood,
readily verified, and a focus of established interventions. The application of lasers and magnetic pulsation, for example, can be described in
terms of specific, measurable wavelengths and frequencies that have
been found to be therapeutic.63 Other energies are considered to be of a
more subtle nature and have not been directly measured by reproducible methods. While such subtle energies are generally not recognized
in Western health care frameworks, they are at the root of numerous
ancient systems of healing and spiritual development that are not only
still in wide use throughout the world but increasingly being utilized
in the West.
Energy psychology has been referred to as acupuncture without
needles in treating mental health disorders. More than two dozen
variations of Energy Psychology can be identified, with the most
well-known being Thought Field Therapy (TFT), the Tapas Acupressure Technique (TAT), and the Emotional Freedom Techniques
(EFT). Many of these adapt practices and concepts from acupuncture and acupressure; others borrow from yoga, meditation, qigong,
and other traditional practices. Some practitioners of these modalities describe their therapeutic mechanism as the activation of electrical signals that are said to influence brain activity;64 others as
describe them as catalyzing shifts in putative energy fields, such as
the bodys biofield.65 TFT, TAT, and EFT, each utilizing techniques
derived from acupuncture and acupressure, have received by far the
most attention.
But what is the proof that there is any real effectiveness to these
methods? Evidence is still preliminary, but energy psychology is
gaining credence as an evidence-based treatment. In fact, one form
has met the American Psychological Associations criteria as a probably efficacious treatment for specific phobias;another has met the
criteria for maintaining weight loss.66 The limited scientific evidence,
combined with extensive clinical reports, suggests that energy
psychology holds promise as a rapid and potent treatmentfor a range
of psychological conditions.
Conclusion
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