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| attention, concentration or reaction time, but also are not as quick-acting or powerful. St. John's wort, in particular, is gaining popularity as a natural antidepressant after extensive 1997 media publicity as an alternative to Prozac. In several studies, it relieved the depression of over half of the people who took it. They also experienced less disturbed sleep and fatigue, usually within a month after starting the herb. 31 |
| There are other herbs that help the mild to moderate depression of CFS. These are licorice, ginseng, Siberian ginseng and the GLA found in evening primrose, borage and black currant seed oils. Ginseng is widely used in Europe to treat depression and, according to ginseng researcher Stephen Fulder, Ph.D., works best to adjust mood disturbances rather than full-blown psychoses. |
| In several Russian studies of individuals with various types of mental disturbances, the most improvement from Siberian ginseng was seen in those who had symptoms similar to CFS: exhaustion, insomnia, moderate depression, irritability and poor concentration. Almost all recovered, most slept better, had fewer headaches and less irritability and everyone felt more cheerful. Heart palpitations normalized in those having them. Along with other positive changes, their ability to do physical and mental work even improved.32 |
| I find several relaxing herbs make good adjuncts to antidepressive herbs. Motherwort has been used to counter melancholy since at least the 17th century. German studies have found that it successfully treats anxiety, especially when associated with sleeplessness. A combination of valerian and hops relieves depression and anxiety faster than prescription drugs, |
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