Depression

Effect

Speed of

Action

Dose and instructions

(“00” capsules, unless otherwise specified)

Saint Johnswort flowering tops

Antidepressant

Rapid

Up to 20 per day

Kav-aah

Kava

Relaxant, mood stabilizer,

Use with concurrent anxiety

Rapid

Up to 6 per day

Red Chile (Cayenne, etc.)

Antidepressant

Moderate

Start at very small dose (1/4 capsule per day. Increase
gradually as tolerated (perhaps by ¼ capsule per day) to maximum
tolerance, or mood improvement

Gotu kola

General brain support

Moderate

10 per day

Serene-Plex

General brain support

Moderate

10 per day

Ashwaganda

Antidepressant (more specifically for anxiety)

Moderate

Up to 20 per day (Very safe)

l-tyrosine or l-phenylalanine

Antidepressant

Rapid

500-3,000 mg per day, not late (energizing)

Red Ginseng root

Antidepressant

Rapid in high dose

10 per day as tolerated, short term, for mood symptom

Ma Huang leaf

Antidepressant

Rapid

Start very conservatively (perhaps ½ capsule per
day)- side effect is agitation- increase gradually to maximum tolerance, or
mood improvement, not late

Black cohosh root

Antidepressant, also depression of menopause

Rapid in appropriate cases

Use black cohosh root for deep
black depression that feels “like a black cloud,” with hopeless
despair, especially for history of drug use or sexual abuse. This herb
combines well with St. Johnswort.

7 per day, as tolerated (side effect is nausea and loose
stool)

Hawthorn berry

Antidepressant

Rapid in appropriate cases

Use hawthorn as an adjunct in grief, especially with
tightness in the chest.

Up to 20 per day (Very safe)

Dandelion root

Moderate

Liver malfunction often underlies the metabolic problems
in depression. Dandelion is a premier liver herb, especially for depression
with “constant muttering to self.”

7 per day, as tolerated (side effect is nausea and loose
stool)