Depression
| Name | Summary | Categories | Helpful for | Caution with | Select | hf:categories | hf:att:pa_benefits | hf:att:pa_cautions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashwaganda | Ashwaganda is a member of the nightshade family. It shows antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria such as Staph, Enterrococcus, and Streptococcus. 1 And also gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella and Pseudomonas. 2 It also has antifungal properties, and is active against Candida Albicans. 2 It shows potential in treating malaria, diabetes, and cancer. However, because it increase testosterone, it should be avoided in those being treated for prostate cancer. 2 It increases sperm count and reduces FSH levels. In women, it increases arousal, lubrication, and orgasm. 2 It protects the cardiovascular system. It is also anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. 2 It also helps with stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, schizophrenia, and hormone balance. 2 It helps build muscle. It might even be effective against COVID. 2 It may be useful in treating Hypothyroid conditions. That being said, it can exacerbate Hyperthyroid, so be mindful of each condition. 2 It increases GABA and reduces dopamine, which can be beneficial or harmful depending on the situation. GABA can excite or inhibit the nerves, and reduced dopamine can have an impact on clinical depression, for example. 2 Because it reduces the functioning of the HPA axis, it may speed aging rather than slowing it down. Supplementing with DHEA may help counteract this issue. 2 Those with autoimmune disease should avoid Ashwaganda altogether, because it boost immune activity and also is a member of the nightshade family. 2 Interactions: Ashwagandha root may interact with anti-anxiety, sleep, myorelaxant and sedative preparations, exacerbating their effects due to synergism. The raw material exhibits additive effects with anticonvulsants, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines which may lead to an increase in their adverse effects, such as impaired motor coordination, muscle weakness, headache, decreased libido, muscle tremors, and drowsiness. Ashwagandha root should not be used concomitantly with immunosuppressive drugs. 2 References | Herbs | Anxiety, Bacteria, Cancer, Candida, COVID, Depression, Diabetes, Enterococcus, Fungus, Heart, Hormones, Inflammation, Insomnia, Malaria, Muscle, Nerves, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Schizophrenia, Sexual health, Staph, Streptococcus, Stress, Thyroid | Aging, Autoimmune, Depression, Hormones, Thyroid | herbs | anxiety bacteria cancer candida covid depression diabetes enterococcus fungus heart hormones inflammation insomnia malaria muscle nerves pseudomonas salmonella schizophrenia sexual-health staph streptococcus stress thyroid | aging autoimmune depression hormones thyroid | |
| PEA | Phenethylamine increases serotonin and stimulates the central nervous system. It acts similar to amphetamines. 1 It can be useful for depression, but more studies are needed. 2 Lower concentrations of Phenethylamine are found in ADHD sufferers, so it may be helpful for this condition. 1 It is produced by Lactobacillus, Clostridium, and Pseudomonas, and is antimicrobial towards E. coli. Levels can also be boosted by moderate exercise. 1 Cautions: It might worsen symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations or delusions. 2 Phenethylamine might affect the central nervous system. This could interfere with surgery. Stop taking phenethylamine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. 2 Interactions: References | Compounds | ADHD, Depression | Bipolar, Schizophrenia, Surgery | compounds | adhd depression | bipolar schizophrenia surgery | |
| Phenylalanine | Phenylalanine is an amino acid used by the body to produce protein and other molecules such as Tyrosine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine. 1 It is found in high protein foods such as eggs, dairy, meat, and soy. 1 May be useful for depression and certain skin disorders such as Vitiligo. 1 It exists in two forms — L-phenylalanine and D-phenylalanine. They’re nearly identical but have slightly different molecular structures. 1 References | Amino Acids | Alcohol withdrawal, Depression, Parkinson’s, Vitiligo | Breastfeeding, Phenylketonuria, Pregnancy, Schizophrenia | amino-acids | alcohol-withdrawal depression parkinsons vitiligo | breastfeeding phenylketonuria pregnancy schizophrenia | |
| St. John’s Wort | St. John’s Wort is used for a number of ailments, including neuropathy pain 1, bronchitis 2, depression 3, hepatitis C 4, COVID 5, and HSV 6 7. It has a potentially toxic effects on the kidneys, so use caution in combination with other kidney-heavy remedies, especially with chronic kidney disease. 8 References
| Herbs | Bronchitis, COVID, Depression, HCV, HSV, Neuropathy, Viruses | Kidneys | herbs | bronchitis covid depression hcv hsv neuropathy viruses | kidneys |
WARNING: This is not a complete list of remedies, cautions, side effects, or interactions. Research is still in progress and is being added to this list on an ongoing basis. Please do your own research, and consult with your healthcare provider to make a fully informed decision.