[Holiday1212]

sorry if this is in the wrong section, I just wondered if anyone has had experience with using herbal supplements to help with anxiety and depression.
Has anyone had any experience with vitamins or 5HTP? Also other herbal remedies such as essential oils?
Does anyone use these alongside medication?

Thanks

[Tauren]

St. John's Wort is effective for mild to moderate depression, but it's more expensive than medication and it can interact with cold medicine, so you still need to tell your doctor if you want to try it.

I've heard Valerian is good for anxiety, but I've never tried it.

Essential oils don't do anything for anything.

I looked up 5HTP because I'd never heard of it. It increases serotonin production. It can have major drug interactions and you can't use it with antidepressants. Another one you would have to talk to your doctor about.

2000 mg/day of Omega 3 fatty acids from fish oil have been shown to help with depression. I find it makes a small but noticable difference. They can increase risk of bleeding if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking other meds that can increase bleeding.

I find Zinc gives me more energy, but other people find all it does is leave a bad taste in the mouth.

[SeekerOfLife]

I believe in natural remedies. However, they do not work for everyone. Saint Johns wort does help with moderate depression, but it did not help me. I have also used 5-HTP. It did not help me. I have used valerian quite a bit. It is great to help with insomnia. For me, I had to take it 1.5 hours before bedtime. I sleep soundly, and wake up refreshed. I take it only when needed. I am currently taking fish oil (EPA). It also has helped. Not enough to stop taking AD meds, but I figure my brain needs it anyway.