Regarding the use of herbal medicines as an alternative to antidepressant drugs, it needs to be treated very carefully. Mental health problems involve complex physical and psychological mechanisms, and there may be risks in adjusting treatment options on your own. The following is some information based on existing research and medical consensus for your reference： --- ###**Important prerequisites：** 1. **Prescription drugs cannot be discontinued without authorization**: antidepressant drugs need to be adjusted in dose or discontinued under the guidance of a doctor. Sudden withdrawal may lead to withdrawal reactions or repeated illness. 2. **Herbal medicines are absolutely safe**: Many herbal medicines may interact with drugs or pose risks to specific populations (such as pregnant women, lactating women, and patients with chronic diseases). 3. **Large individual differences**: The effect varies from person to person and needs to be combined with professional evaluation. --- ###**Some of the herbs and precautions that have been studied** The following are some herbal medicines that have been shown in studies to be helpful for mild depression or mood regulation, but the evidence is limited and needs to be used strictly in accordance with the doctor's instructions.： 1. **St. John's Wort (St. John's Wort）** -**Research support**: Some studies have shown that it may be effective for mild to moderate depression, but it is not effective for severe depression. -**Risks**: It interacts with various drugs such as contraceptives, anticoagulants, and immunosuppressants, which may cause serious side effects. -**Note **: It is a dietary supplement in the United States and is not approved by the FDA for the treatment of depression. 2. **Saffron (Saffron)** -**Research support**: Preliminary studies have shown that its extract may relieve mild to moderate depressive symptoms, but more long-term data are needed. -**Risk**: High doses may be toxic, and the dosage needs to be strictly controlled. 3. **Passion Flower (Passion Flower), Chamomile (Chamomile)** -**Use**: More used to relieve anxiety and improve sleep (indirectly affect mood). -**Note**: It may enhance the effect of sedative drugs, and it is necessary to avoid using it with sleeping pills. 4. **Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)** -**Research support**: It may be beneficial as an adjuvant treatment, but there is insufficient evidence for the effect of antidepressant alone. --- ###**Purchase suggestion** 1. **Channel selection**： - Give priority to regular pharmacies, hospital pharmacies or qualified health food stores. -When shopping online, look for quality labels such as **GMP certification**, **organic certification** to avoid products of unknown origin. 2. **Consult a professional**： -Pharmacist: Can provide advice on the interaction between herbs and drugs. -Chinese medicine practitioner: If you need to use a compound Chinese medicine prescription, it is recommended that a qualified Chinese medicine practitioner prescribe the prescription dialectically. --- ###**Suggestions for other naturopathic aids** 1. **Light therapy**: May be effective for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). 2. **Regular exercise**: There is clear evidence that exercise can promote endorphin secretion and improve mood. 3. **Dietary adjustment**: Increase foods rich in vitamin D, B, and magnesium (such as deep-sea fish, nuts, and green leafy vegetables). 4. **Mindfulness meditation**: Helps relieve anxiety and depressive symptoms. --- ###**When do I have to seek medical attention? ** If the following conditions occur, please seek professional help immediately： -Continued low mood for more than 2 weeks -Self-harm or suicidal thoughts -Daily functions (work, socializing, etc.) are severely damaged --- ###**Summary** Herbal medicine may be used as an adjuvant, but ** is not a substitute for professional treatment**. It is recommended to communicate with a psychiatrist or psychotherapist to develop an individualized plan. If you need to try herbal medicines, be sure to inform your doctor of your current medication situation to avoid potential risks. I hope you can achieve physical and mental balance in a scientific and safe way. If further discussion is required, you can send a private message with links to more resources (such as authoritative medical databases or mental health platforms).