VITAMINS, HERBS, AND

SUPPLEMENTS TO TREAT
DEPRESSION
EMILIE SHOQUIST
HW499
PURDUE UNIVERSITY GLOBAL
 DEPRESSION DETAILS:

• One of the most common mental illnesses in America (Depression Statistics,

2019).

• 2/3 of Americans don’t seek treatment (Depression Statistics, 2019).

• Symptoms may include pervasive sadness and a feeling of emptiness or

disconnection (Depression, n.d.).

• Believed to be caused chemical imbalance of the neurotransmitters

dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin (Schimelpfening, 2020).
 Depression is a complicated and complex topic. For additional
information, I recommend the following articles and websites:

LEARN MORE
Depression. (n.d.). Mental Health America.
ABOUT
https://www.mhanational.org/conditions/depression
DEPRESSION:
Depression Statistics. (2019, July 12).
https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/depression/statistics/

Rao, T., Asha, M., Ramesh, B., & Rao, K. (2008, April). Understanding
nutrition, depression and mental illnesses.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/

Schimelpfening, N. (2020, August 31). What Is the Chemistry Behind

Depression?
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-chemistry-of-depression-106513
7
VITAMINS TO
Vitamin B9 (Folate) (Coppen &
TREAT Bolander-Gouaille, 2005).
DEPRESSION

Vitamin B12 (Coppen &

Bolander-Gouaille, 2005).

Vitamin D (Can a dietary

supplement help ease your depression,
2019).
RECOMMENDED DOSE TO TREAT DEPRESSION
FOR ADULTS 18 AND OVER:

B9 (Folic Acid): 1mg per day (Rao, Asha,

Ramesh & Rao, 2008).

B12: 1 mg per day (Rao, Asha, Ramesh & Rao,

2008).

Vitamin D: 600 IU per day (Rao, Asha, Ramesh

& Rao, 2008).
 For additional information on vitamins to treat depression, I
recommend the following articles and websites:

LEARN MORE Coppen, A., & Bolander-Gouaille, C. (2005, January). Treatment of

depression: Time to consider folic acid and vitamin B12.
ABOUT https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15671130/
VITAMINS TO Hall-Flavin, Daniel K. (2018, June 01). Vitamin B-12 and depression: Are
TREAT they related?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert-ans
DEPRESSION: wers/vitamin-b12-and-depression/faq-20058077
Harvard Health Publishing. (2019, December 1). Can a dietary supplement
help ease your depression.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/depression/can-a-dietary-supplement-
help-ease-your-depression
Purdie, J. (2017, 16 January). Can a B-12 Deficiency Cause Depression.
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/b12-and-depression
Skidmore-Roth, L. Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements.
[Purdue University Global Bookshelf].
https://purdueuniversityglobal.vitalsource.com/#/books/978032305741
7/
MINERALS AND HERBS TO TREAT DEPRESSION:

Magnesium (Rao, Asha, Ramesh & Rao, 2008).

Saffron (Hosseinzadeh et al., 2004).

St. John’s Wort (St. John's wort, n.d.).

Ginseng (Lee & Rhee, 2017).

RECOMMENDED DOSE TO TREAT DEPRESSION
FOR ADULTS 18 AND OVER:
Magnesium: 600-800 mg per day (Rao, Asha, Ramesh &
Rao, 2008).

Saffron: 30 mg per day (Skidmore-Roth, 2010)

St. John’s Wort: 300 mg hypericum extract,

standardized to 0.3% hypericin (Skidmore-Roth, 2010).

Ginseng: 200-500 mg (Skidmore-Roth, 2010).

 For additional information on minerals and herbs to treat depression, I
recommend the following articles and websites:

LEARN MORE Eby, G. (2011, January 01). Magnesium and major depression.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507265/
ABOUT Herbal and dietary supplements for depression. (2008, October).
MINERALS & https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/herbal_and_dietary_supplements for depression

HERBS Lee, G., & Bae, H. (2017). Therapeutic Effects of Phytochemicals and Medicinal Herbs on Depression.

TO TREAT https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5414506/

Lee, S., & Rhee, D. (2017, October). Effects of ginseng on stress-related depression, anxiety, and the
DEPRESSION: hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5628357/

Siddiqui, M., Saleh, M., Basharuddin, S., Zamri, S., Mohd Najib, M., Che Ibrahim, M., . . . Khatib, A.
(2018). Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): As an Antidepressant.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266642/

Skidmore-Roth, L. Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural Supplements. [Purdue University Global
Bookshelf]. https://purdueuniversityglobal.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323057417/

St. John's wort. (n.d.). https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/st-johns-wort

St. John's Wort and Depression: In Depth. (n.d.). https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/st-johns-wort-and-

depression-in-depth
 ACCESSORY NUTRIENTS TO TREAT DEPRESSION:

SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine)
(Herbal and dietary supplements for depression, 2008)

Omega 3 Fatty Acids (Mishoulon, 2020).

RECOMMENDED DOSE TO TREAT DEPRESSION
FOR ADULTS 18 AND OVER:

SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine): 400–1,600 mg per

day (Herbal and dietary supplements for depression 2008).

Omega 3 Fatty Acids: 6-10 grams per day (Mishoulon,

2020).
 For additional information on accessory nutrients to treat depression,
I recommend the following articles and websites:

Herbal and dietary supplements for depression. (2008, October). Retrieved

LEARN MORE
October 22, 2020, from
ABOUT
https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/herbal_and_dietary
ACCESSORY
_supplements_for_depression
NUTRIENTS
Mishoulon, D. (2020, October 27) Harvard Health Publishing. Omega-3
TO TREAT
DEPRESSION: fatty acids for mood disorders.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/omega-3-fatty-acids-for-mood-di
sorders-2018080314414

Rao, T., Asha, M., Ramesh, B., & Rao, K. (2008, April). Understanding
nutrition, depression and mental illnesses. Retrieved October 15,
2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/
 CONTRAINDICATIONS:

“Herbal supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug

Administration (FDA), but not as strictly as prescription or over-the-counter
(OTC) drugs. They fall under a category called dietary supplements” (Mayo
Clinic Staff, 2021).

May weaken some prescription medications.

Should not be used in conjunction with prescription anti-depressants.

Do not take if pregnant or breastfeeding.

Keep out of reach of children.

IN CONCLUSION:

• Depression is the leading cause of disability in the United

States, but studies show there are effective natural treatments
that may help provide relief.
• Please consult with your doctor before beginning any or
changing any vitamin, herb, or supplement regimen.
 Depression. (n.d.). Mental Health America.
https://www.mhanational.org/conditions/depression
REFERENCES Depression Statistics. (2019, July 12).
https://www.dbsalliance.org/education/depression/statistics/

Eby, G. (2011, January 01). Magnesium and major depression.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507265/

Coppen, A., & Bolander-Gouaille, C. (2005, January). Treatment of

depression: Time to consider folic acid and vitamin B12.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15671130/

Hall-Flavin, Daniel K. (2018, June 01). Vitamin B-12 and depression:

Are they related?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/expert
-answers/vitamin-b12-and-depression/faq-20058077
 Harvard Health Publishing. (2019, December 1). Can a dietary
supplement help ease your depression.
REFERENCES https://www.health.harvard.edu/depression/can-a-dietary-supplem
ent-help-ease-your-depression

Herbal and dietary supplements for depression. (2008, October).

https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/herbal_and_diet
ary_supplements_for_depression

Lee, G., & Bae, H. (2017). Therapeutic Effects of Phytochemicals and

Medicinal Herbs on Depression.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5414506/

Lee, S., & Rhee, D. (2017, October). Effects of ginseng on stress-

related depression, anxiety, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
axis. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5628357/
 Mishoulon, D. (2020, October 27) Harvard Health Publishing. Omega-
3 fatty acids for mood disorders.
REFERENCES https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/omega-3-fatty-acids-for-moo
d-disorders-2018080314414

Purdie, J. (2017, 16 January). Can a B-12 Deficiency Cause

Depression. https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/b12-
and-depression

Rao, T., Asha, M., Ramesh, B., & Rao, K. (2008, April).
Understanding nutrition, depression and mental illnesses.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2738337/

Schimelpfening, N. (2020, August 31). What Is the Chemistry Behind

Depression?
https://www.verywellmind.com/the-chemistry-of-depression-1065
 Siddiqui, M., Saleh, M., Basharuddin, S., Zamri, S., Mohd Najib, M.,
Che Ibrahim, M., . . . Khatib, A. (2018). Saffron (Crocus
REFERENCES sativus L.): As an Antidepressant.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266642/

Skidmore-Roth, L. (2010). Mosby's Handbook of Herbs & Natural

Supplements. [Purdue University Global Bookshelf].
https://purdueuniversityglobal.vitalsource.com/#/books/97803230
57417/

St. John's wort. (n.d.). https://www.mountsinai.org/health-

library/herb/st-johns-wort

St. John's Wort and Depression: In Depth. (n.d.).

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/st-johns-wort-and-depression-in-
depth