Several
herbal remedies have been investigated in Europe and may help
depression, though U.S. studies to date are not conclusive.
A large multi-center trial sponsored by the National Institute
of Health is underway.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) has been studied
in Germany and appears to be helpful for mild to moderate
depression. This agent may interact with SSRI's and should
not be combined with them.
Sam-E (S-adenosyl methionine) may assist other antidepressant
agents by increasing the rate of reactions that are necessary
to build levels of brain neurochemicals. It has not been well
studied as an agent that acts alone however.
Omega
3 fatty acids may be useful in combating depression in
patients with bipolar illness, and are beginning to be used
in conjunction with traditional antidepressants, but like
the other agents are not yet studied well in the U.S.A.
