Greek mountain tea in depression
According to the WHO, depression is widespread and can appear as sleep disorders, loss of appetite, fatigue, poor concentration, and sadness. It affects women more often than men, and is more common among unemployed people. For moderate or severe depression, the WHO recommends medical treatment or professional counselling.
A serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the nervous system and a hormone in the blood; depressed people have roughly 50% lower serotonin levels than healthy people. The private institute IBAM GbR, working with the University Medical Centre of Freiburg, found a connection between Greek mountain tea — acting as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor — and improved depressive moods.
In animal studies, Sideritis achieved significantly greater serotonin reuptake inhibition than the medical product fluvoxamine, and performed better than St. John's wort in the same experiments.
Two observed cases
Recurrent depression, moderate episodes, and migraine over 20 years. Declined classical anti-depressants in favour of herbal active ingredients.
Prescription: 1 litre of Greek mountain tea per day. After 14 days: significantly improved mood, night sleep, and motivation.
Recurrent depression on maintenance therapy with venlafaxine 300mg. Greek mountain tea added as a supplement (0.5–1 litre/day) for persistent lack of motivation.
After 4 weeks, venlafaxine intolerance developed; the drug was tapered off over 6 weeks. The following depressive episode, prescribed 1 litre of tea daily for 6 months, was markedly shorter than his 15-year history — with spontaneous remission after 4 weeks and full remission for one year.
Source: www.ibam.de
Household remedies against depression
Depression ranges from a slight mood swing to a deeply debilitating state — professional help is strongly recommended to avoid it worsening and to find fast improvement, since there may be an organic cause (like hypothyroidism) or a deficiency that's rapidly treatable.
Alongside Greek mountain tea or its extract, other household remedies are commonly recommended:
- St. John's wort (watch for side effects)
- Probiotic and prebiotic food, to support the intestinal flora
- Lavender, in aromatherapy or oral form
- Dark chocolate, which contains tryptophan — an amino acid needed to produce serotonin
See sources of supply for Greek mountain tea and its extracts.