Some Natural Substances That May Help WIth Mood--Dr Rama

please see other blog posts:  http://www.drramamdpassionateperspectives.com/ and http://www.drramamdheartinspirations.com/

Please note:  No diagnosis or treatment is being made on this blog post.  Please consult your regular MD for face to face medical intervention.  This blog is only to describe some possibilities in the use of mild depression and mood issues. Do not mix natural medicines with conventional without consulting your licensed MD.  Any serious issues need conventional medical intervention. Any issues that are life threatening --one should seek medical ER intervention also.


There are several natural substances that are being used to help with mild depression and mood issues.  Here is a brief summary.

1.  St. John's Wort:  This is called hypericum and comes from the yellow flowers of the plant. Leaves and flowers are made into a tincture or often in liquid capsules or powder in capsules.  It  has been studied for years in the treatment of mild to moderate depression and has mixed results.  However, some still feel it can help with mild depression.   Some studies show that it makes serotonin norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters more available--to the brain to help alleviate depression.  Side effects include hypertension, stomach upsets, fatigue, restlessness, diarrhea, and skin rashes

2.   Sam E  --Short for S-Adenosyl-Methionine.  This is a naturally occurring substance that is within human and plant cells and is not an herb.  It works to make more precursors to neurochemicals responsible to alleviate depression more available in the brain.  A recent study in the September edition of the Journal of Psychiatry does show that Sam E----helps to augment or increase the effect of regular ssri medicines by providing available neurochemicals in the brain.  Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, headache, anxiety, gas and mood swings.  Those with frank bipolar disorder at this time of research should avoid Sam E. 

3.  Rhodeola:  This interesting red flower grows in cold climates, particular in Asia.  Lately it has been studied as a supplement to help alleviate depression, stress, and fatigue. It is thought to work by blocking adenaline and noradenaline in the peripheral body which can reduce fatigue and stress and it makes Norepinephrine, Serotonin, and Dopmaine more available in the brain to reduce depression.  Side effects can be similar to the above two.  More studies are needed but there are reports of relief of fatigue and stress that go with depression.

4.  Deplin (folic acid)--This is not the regular folic acid that you buy over the counter.  It is specially formulated to cross the blood-brain barrier to enter the brain effectively to help by adding the necessary ingredients for neurotransmitter synthesis to reduce depression--  It is being used and considered in treatment resistant depression. 

More Later
Dr. Rama
Dallas Texas