Depression is a huge problem in modern society. Whether it is celebrities or ordinary people, more and more people are deeply troubled by depression. In addition to psychological communication therapy, the most common treatment for depression is antidepressants. Still, most drugs have side effects and will produce a certain degree of drug resistance, which will hurt human health. Compared with antidepressants, most consumers prefer natural plant extracts or herbs to relieve, which are safer and have fewer side effects.

Saffron Extract

Saffron extract is a medicinal herb. The main ingredients are crocetin and crocin. It has sedative, expectorant, and antispasmodic effects and can be used to treat stomach problems, menstruation, measles, fever, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, etc. Saffron extract is effective in several clinical trials as a natural antidepressant. Crocin and safranal found in the petals and stigma of the plant are believed to be responsible for this effect. Various studies have shown that it is as effective as prescription drugs such as Prozac.

 5-HTP

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is mainly extracted from Griffonia seeds in Africa. It is also an essential amino acid produced by the brain and can control the content of serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in the human body. 5-HT is a neurotransmitter messenger in the brain that can produce pleasant emotions. It can affect almost every aspect of brain activity, from regulating emotions, energy, memory and even shaping outlook on life. 5-HTP is the predecessor of 5-HT. 5-HT is produced under the action of decarboxylase, which can increase the production of serotonin in brain cells and thus increase the content of 5-HT. In recent years, the increase in demand for 5-HTP is mainly caused by changes in people’s lifestyles. Incorrect eating habits and hormonal disorders have gradually increased people’s mental stress, so the demand for natural ingredients to fight depression is also increasing. Importantly, as a natural plant extract that can relieve depression, 5-HTP has an advantage over tryptophan because most tryptophan is chemically synthesized.

Hypericum Perforatum Extract

Hypericum perforatum, also known as St. John’s wort in the West. Many studies have shown that Hypericum perforatum acts on dopamine and norepinephrine to achieve antidepressant effects by inhibiting the recycling of 5-HT and monoamine oxidase. Hypericin contained in Hypericum perforatum is the main ingredient for relieving depression, among which the content of the petals is the highest. In Germany, the use rate of Hypericum perforatum for all drugs for treating depression has reached 40%, and its effect is similar to Prozac (a more common antidepressant). This study found that Hypericum perforatum extract improves mood by reducing the body’s reabsorption of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

Omega-3s

Omega-3s are an ingredient beneficial to brain development and cognitive health. It can promote the metabolism of important fatty acids that are active and balanced in the human body’s internal environment. Omega-3s have antidepressant effects, and the effect is 81% when used in combination with antidepressant drugs. Omega-3 supplementation can also reduce the risk of postpartum depression. As research continues to deepen, it will play an important role in depression, a global public health issue.

Broccoli Extract

​Sulforaphane (SFN) derived from broccoli has the effect of preventing depression and inhibiting the recurrence of depression. The research team used experimental mice as subjects and found that normal healthy mice could drink sugar water with a concentration of 70%-80%, while stressed depressed mice could only drink about 50% sugar water. However, if the mice are fed SFN before they fall into a depressed state, the depressed mice will drink the same sweet water as ordinary experimental mice, thereby avoiding the occurrence of depressive symptoms. In addition, researchers injected SFN precursor substances into young mice and confirmed that their stress resistance was significantly increased.

Rhodiola Rosea Extract

Rhodiola rosea extract, its roots, and rhizomes can be used as medicine, and sometimes the whole plant can also be used. Modern research shows that Rhodiola rosea has antioxidant, sports endurance, immunity, anti-depression, and whitening effects. Animal experiments show that Rhodiola rosea extract salidroside can increase the transmission speed of serotonin precursors tryptophan and 5-HTP in the brain. Unstable serotonin often causes low mood and depression. In addition, Rhodiola rosea can also improve sleep quality by protecting the nervous system from oxidative stress damage.

Curcumin

Curcumin is more effective in relieving mild to moderate depression, and its antidepressant effect is similar to that of fluoxetine prescription drugs, without adverse reactions. A 2014 Australian study found that curcumin may relieve symptoms of major depression, especially atypical depression. The study believes that the mechanism of action of curcumin is related to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which can affect the activity of biological mechanisms related to depression, including monoamine activity, immune inflammation, oxidative and nitrosative stress pathways, and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA). In the future, larger-scale, longer-term, and different-dose studies are needed to verify the effect of curcumin on depression.