Depression is indeed a debilitation and awful condition of the mind. However, the term is often used loosely by folks that just feel fed up or bored with life, and this kind of mindset should not be confused with clinical depression. Clinical depression is not something the sufferer can snap out of themselves by simply getting up, going somewhere, and doing something in order to change the way they feel.

That said, it's not all doom and gloom for those who experience serious bouts of 'real' depression because statistics prove that as many as eighty to 90 percent of those who suffer can be effectively treated with common drugs and therapy.

But conventional medication has gotten a bad rap over the years namely for its addictive properties and potential harmful side effects. It is for this reason that more folks than ever before are seeking alternative and natural cures for depression. One such treatment is called St. John's Wort and it is generally considered to be one of the most potent natural remedies for depression known to man. In fact it is reported as being so effective that it actually outsells many prescription medications that are commonly used for despair.

What is John's Wort? Well, simply put, it's just a flowering hedgerow plant. It's natural, inexpensive and available over the counter in many places around the planet. For many sufferers of depression, John's Wort is said to be the dream remedy, and is taken all over the world in large quantities. It's a kind of herbal Prozac if you like, but on nature's natural prescription.

Ginkgo Biloba: is another of nature's miracle plants. It's actually the oldest living tree species known. A single tree can live up to a staggering 1,000 years and grow to over 120 feet in height. Ginkgo biloa has been proved to reduce or alleviate the feelings of depression altogether, but it's not advisable to take it in conjunction with other medications. It's important that you consult your doctor before trying any alternative and natural cures for the treatment of depression.

As time goes on, so the research intensifies for all natural cures including herbal remedies for many of today's health conditions, especially treatments for anxiety and panic attacks. This interests many people who suffer from mental conditions, as they know only too well how some of the modern conventional medication can sometimes backfire and either turn the patience into a pharmaceutical drug addict or produce awful side effects.

After all, before modern medicine there were only natural cures and remedies available to fight many common ills, both physical and mental, and such was the effectiveness of these that many people in lots of countries still use them with great success even today.

Despite our pharmaceutical companies offering various conventional drugs to help us cope, even they are now recognizing the benefits of the natural treatments our ancestors used. Many a high street pharmacist can now be seen stocking up with products and information pamphlets on the proven benefits of natural plants, food, meditation, acupuncture, and yoga, to cure mental imbalances in mankind.