St. John's Wort

• Take St. John's Wort, which has been thought of by many as one of the best herbal treatments for depression. People have been taking it for centuries to treat anxiety, sadness and problems sleeping. Though St. John's Wort has been found safe to take alone, it can pose a risk of serious drug interactions with medications such as oral contraceptives, antidepressants, drugs taken before receiving an organ transplant and drugs for HIV or AIDS. It may take several weeks to notice any change in mood or behavior, just as with pharmaceutical antidepressants.
  
  

SAMe

• Supplement with SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine) as an alternative to taking St. John's Wort. SAMe has been found to be as effective as St. John's Wort and is found naturally in the human body in the form of an amino acid used to maintain neurotransmitters in the brain. The biggest problem with SAMe is its cost; supplements can cost as much as $100 a month, which makes it more expensive than some antidepressants. This cost becomes especially burdensome when you consider that health insurance does not cover the cost of herbal remedies.
  
  

5-HTP

• Try taking 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) supplements, which is another amino acid produced naturally in the body. These supplements are used to increase serotonin levels, which is a chemical in the brain that naturally calms the body. 5-HTP has been found to be safe to use and, in some cases, just as effective as prescription medications. While it should not be combined with antidepressants, combining the use of 5-HTP with St. John's Wort has shown to be beneficial in studies.
  
  

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. This substance is not naturally found in the human body but is needed for normal brain function. Many people, especially those in the United States, are slightly deficient in Omega-3 and must use supplements to maintain recommended Omega-3 levels. The easiest way to do this is to eat foods with a high level of Omega-3 fatty acids such as sardines, mackerel or salmon. Another option is to take fish oil capsules.