Has anyone ever taken this before to help treat depression? I just started taking it yesterday. I really hope it works somewhat! I don't have health insurance right now and I'm on a waiting list through my county to possibly see someone and get on anti-depressants. This wait is 5-7 weeks! I can't wait that long, so I am trying something else. Please let me know the results you've had.

Hi bluemoon, yes valerian has been used for centuries for many different purposes . Ancient Greeks used the plant for a variety of medical disorders ranging from liver problems, digestive ailments, and urinary tract disorders to nausea and insomnia. Valerian has also been used for centuries for nervous conditions and has been traditionally used for sleeplessness, epilepsy, nervousness, hysteria and as a diuretic. I don't think it has been tested for all of these conditions, and most importantly epilepsy.

And lately for depression. Whether it works or not depends on the person taking it; however, it has been known to decrease depression.I haven't tried it myself but have clients who have, not wanting within themselves to go completely over to a depression medication.

Ms tickle

Valerian root puts me to sleep.
But it is good for all the things Tickle said
But I know a couple of people that it doesn't do a thing for.

I have found that valerian is more a relaxant than an anti depressant. I've also found that valerian gives me a mild headache taken in stronger doses.

Hypericum or St John's Wort however, is excellent for mild depression. I have used it and found that it really helped. It took probably about 1 week to 10 days for the effect to kick in, and needs to be taken each day.

Look at this website:

The Hypericum Home Page

St. Johns Wort excellent for so many ailments but people on high blood pressure medication should stay away from it.

Tick

What about samE? It was a product I had at the last health store I worked at. The owner suggested it to severely depressed people.

I have had some experience with depression and suicide. For a few years it seemed like everyone I knew committed suicide. My Husband committed suicide and most of his friends. When I was younger, I attempted suicide but was not successful and I am glad. I get very depressed and have found two things that help. One is that if I think of suicide, I promise myself I have to wait a week and see how I feel then. The other is harder. Because when I am depressed I think only of myself, and that is normal because it is me that something is wrong with to feel so depressed, and my body or self concentrates on itself to try to heal itself or fix itself somehow.Survival instinct I guess. But if I can get myself to get around and help someone else, it helps me more. Volunteer for some things that will get you out. I like to help someone without anyone else knowing I did that. I give myself points for secrecy. If someone finds out, or I tell, I take points off. Or just go help out in a soup kitchen or a shelter of some kind where they always need help and who cares who knows. Pick up trash at a park, or roadside, there are all sorts of things to do for others. It helps me more than anyone else. I am the one who benefits. I can almost feel guilty because it helps me more than anyone else.