Natural Remedies for Depression

Are there any effective natural remedies for depression?

The prevalence of depression is increasing every single year and it’s expected that it is likely to become the second most commonly encountered debilitating health issue following cardiovascular disease by 2025. As opposed to looking at depression as a disease, I would rather like to describe it as being a whole-person health issue. It is regarded as an affliction of the body, mind and soul that will impact on each and every component of your life, which includes your physical well being, feelings, behavior, thought patterns and interaction with others.

The Reason Why it is Recommended to Use Natural Remedies for Depression

Most experts firmly believe that many people with slight to moderate depression symptoms have no need for antidepressants in order to successfully recover. In fact, several studies relating to depression have found that antidepressants do help many severely depressed people, however for people with slight to moderate depression the results are entirely credited to the placebo effect, which means ‘expectation and belief’. This is why, even though there can be very few exceptions, it is best to take the steps mentioned below before you subject yourself to any antidepressants. Discovering and treating the underlying causes is a vital component of natural remedies for depression. Indeed, depression in many cases can manifest as a side effect of the following factors and conditions:

• trauma
• adrenal fatigue
• stress
• low self-acceptance
• poor diet
• addictions
• lack of physical activity
• blood-sugar fluctuations
• hypothyroidism
• food allergies
• nutritional deficiencies
• environmental toxicity
• candidasis

Most of these different factors can play a part to varied degrees, depending on your unique, personal circumstances. One of the keys to the path of emotional health is to try and work through the factors which are strongly related to you. Perhaps a thorough medical check up would also be helpful.

Natural Remedies for Depression – Recommended Nutritional Supplements

Chromium (not Chromium Piccolinate), such as NOW Foods Tri-Chromium 500mcg

Chromium 500mcg daily is extremely beneficial if your depression is linked to a feeling of grogginess, heavy arms or legs, cravings for carbohydrates or sweets or an increase in weight.

5-HTP, such as Natrol 5-HTP Time Release

5-HTP is made by extraction from an African plant Griffonia Simplicifolias seeds and its mood lifting and stabilizing effects are considered to be result of its ability to boost the production of serotonin levels in the brain. Take 50-100mg twice a day.

St John’s Wort, such as ST John’s Concentrate Time Release

In Germany over 50% of people suffering from sleep disorder, anxiety symptoms and moderate to major depression are given St John’s Wort. This is in fact the most extensively researched of all the natural, holistic antidepressants. You should however not take St John’s Wort if you’ve got a diagnosis of manic depression or if you are currently taking any of the following medications:

• Antidepressants
• MAO inhibitors
• Estrogen contraceptive pill
• Warfarin

A Good Multi-Vitamin and Mineral Supplement, such as Life’s Fortune® MultiVitamin & Mineral

If you are experiencing any blues or symptoms of depression, multi -vitamin and mineral supplements will provide great nutritional support, as deficiencies of vitamin C, folic acid, zinc, magnesium and vitamin B’s are all connected with an increased intensity and frequency of depression or depressive episodes.

Folic Acid such as Folic Acid by Nature’s Way or World Organics B-12 With Folic Acid Liquid

A number of studies have reported that 40% of people with clinical depression have a low level of folic acid in their bodies and the ones with the lowest levels are generally the most severely depressed.

Complementary therapies have also been known to help many sufferers. These include:

• yoga
• hypnotherapy
• spiritual healing
• aromatherapy
• acupuncture
• thai chi
• or meditation

Natural Remedies for Depression – Aromatherapy

Suggested aromatherapy essential oils suitable for the initial stages of healing process:

• cypress
• spikenard
• sandalwood
• cistus
• Canadian balsam
• frankincense
• lavender

Suggested healing aromas for the later stages of healing process:

• bergamot
• geranium
• neroli
• lemongrass
• ylang-ylang
• lavender
• rose

Use these oils as natural remedies for depression either in an essential oil burner or diffuser, add them to your warm bath either alone or together 15-20 drops at a time, or put 2-3 drops onto your pillow case 2 hours before bed time.

Tags: depression, depression natural remedies, natural depression remedies, natural remedies for depression, natural remedy for depression

Category: Depression, Home Remedies, Mind