Long used in Europe to relieve depression, St. John s Wort has been subjected to clinical trials. A report last year in the British Medical Journal declared it equal to conventional antidepressives with significantly fewer side effects. Studies have also shown the importance of using a product with standardized extract, meaning that the herbal preparation, whether tincture or capsule, contains a minimum amount of the component hypericin, known to produce the beneficial effects. The recommended dosage for capsule administration is 300 mg three times daily. While St. John s Wort acts as an anti-depressant, several other herbs are known to produce feelings of relaxation.
Valerian root is a powerful relaxant and is often taken to help with sleep.
It is wise to look for combinations of these herbs in tincture or capsule form since combinations enhance the synergistic actions of each herb. The effects of herbal therapy on depression may not be felt at once. It may take up to several weeks to notice an appreciable change. This is also true of most pharmaceutical anti-depressants, however. Another herb receiving rave notices for its relaxation powers is Kava Kava, from Polynesia.