Herbs for Depression - Herbal Remedies Natural Antidepressants

Depression can be stated as the sad state of mind that arises from regular worries, stress, tension and anxieties from different spheres of life. Though these are the basic causes, but other causes like pregnancy, failure in examination, serious disease or some accidental events in the family may lead to depression in some persons.

Consequences of depression can not be overlooked as the depressed person loses all interest in his life that may lead to some suicidal attempts and become totally an insane or schizophrenic person.

People suffering from depression cut off all the interaction with the outside world even with the nearest ones. Lacks of appetite or high appetite, low self esteem, sleeplessness, weakness, fatigue are the symptoms that follow depression.

Herbal remedies for depression

Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat persons suffering from depression. But these drugs are not without side effects which sometimes lead to secondary level of medication. Herbs offered by Mother Nature are very effective in treating depression as they cure the roots of depression rather than the symptoms. Side effects are also observed in herbal treatments but not that of significant value. Still it is better to consult practitioners before going for herbal treatments.

1. St John’s wort, also known as Hypericum perforatum is a well known herb to treat depression and anxiety. It is inexpensive and is easily available and also acts as good sedative lessening the sleeplessness caused by depression.

2. Basil is a common growing Asian herb with lots of medicinal properties and that also helps in stress reduction and lifts the mood.

3. Passion flower acts as a tranquilizer and calms down the nerves by reducing anxiety and insomnia. This herb acts gently and can be given the preference compared to the other herbs.

4. Gingko biloba helps in reducing the depression especially in the elders, whose blood circulation in the brain is reduced. It acts as a good anti depressant and an anti oxidant by increasing the blood flow in the brain and at the same time increasing the memory.

5. Borage leaf juice is another natural anti depressant that effectively treats depression. Being rich in Potassium it stimulates the glandular system and reduces the feeling of sadness, melancholy and pensiveness.

6. Lemon balm due to its soothing qualities is used to treat depression like mental disorders. It calms down the shattered nerves and helps in overcoming depression.

7. Rosemary, if used in sleeping pillows and baths has an excellent effect in alleviating depression as it rejuvenates and infuses a feel good factor in the depressive person.

Apart from minimum side effects the herbal treatments are also very cost effective. Some herbal treatments may demand much more time but weighing the pros and cons the patience pays off at the end.

Read information about Holy Basil Benefits in stress reduction and lifting mood. Also find about Ashwagandha Benefits to reduce stress and anxiety. Know about Aloe Vera Benefits, Cream Supplement.

Feeling Depressed? By Jan Nissl, RN, BS

 

Life is full of changes. Everyday events and our reactions to them sometimes interfere with our sense of well-being and peace of mind. It is common to get the blues or become sad when disappointed. Symptoms of depression are the most common medical problems seen by health professionals. It is estimated that feelings of depression will affect about one-third of all adults in Canada at some time in their lives.

Most people experience feelings of sadness over such losses as divorce or separation, the death of a friend or loved one, or a job change or layoff. These feelings are an expected reaction to a "triggering event," and most people get over them in time.

Several factors increase your risk of developing feelings of depression, such as:

• Female sex. Women are twice as likely as men to experience feelings of depression. Hormonal changes may play a role in these feelings, which may be more evident during pregnancy, especially shortly after the birth of a baby (postpartum depression) or shortly before or during menopause. Some women experience feelings of sadness or depression shortly before the start of menstruation (premenstrual syndrome, or PMS).
• Age older than 60. Feelings of depression in this age group are frequently overlooked because the symptoms are similar to other diseases and problems experienced by older adults. Adults in this age group are more likely to experience social isolation. Feelings of sadness may accompany other life events, such as retirement, death of a spouse or child, or declining physical abilities.
• Personal or family history. You are more likely to experience feelings of depression if you have a history of previous depression, an anxiety disorder, or another mental illness. You are also 2 to 3 times more likely to experience feelings of depression if one or both of your parents were diagnosed with depression.
• Medical problems—such as cancer, kidney disease, heart disease, or Parkinson's disease—or alcohol or substance abuse or withdrawal.
• Stressful life events, such as changing jobs, the loss of a job, or children leaving home.
• Lack of family or social support.

Symptoms of depression that may indicate a need for treatment vary from person to person. If you experience feelings of sadness or loss of interest in pleasurable activities plus 4 or more of the following symptoms for 2 weeks or longer, you may be depressed.

• Changes in appetite or weight
• Restlessness or decreased activity that is noticed by others
• Feeling tired or sleepy all of the time
• Trouble sleeping or sleeping more than usual
• Inability to concentrate or make decisions
• Feelings of hopelessness
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Preoccupation with death or recurrent thoughts of suicide

People who feel depressed may also have physical symptoms, such as body aches or stomach problems.
Because "mood swings" and other emotional changes are considered a normal part of growing up, depression in children and teens often goes unrecognized. Children and teens do develop depression, and it can affect a child's quality of life. If prolonged or severe depression is left untreated, it can lead to serious outcomes, including suicide attempts and even completed suicide. If you are thinking about suicide, talk to someone about your feelings. If you are not able to talk with your health professional immediately, call your local suicide hotline or this suicide hotline (Canada and U.S.) 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255.

Can You Feel it?

Every emotion you have ever had has been immediately labeled by your mind, as either being good or bad. From this list, you then choose to either let them flow and enjoy them, or you decide you must avoid them by any means necessary.



Emotions are the biggest part of the human experience. In life, we have to experience emotions completely by feeling them fully. Your feelings are your guide in figuring out life’s game, and to truly get what you desire. Even the negative emotions are imperative to living that happy, fulfilling life you so deserve. It’s sometimes easier to figure out what you want, by first knowing what you don’t want.


When you resist an emotion, or refuse to feel it, you are causing the energy system attached to it, to stall. It becomes stagnant, still energy within and around you. This may be why feelings of sadness stick around much longer then blissful ones.



The inability to express emotions can be psychologically and physically damaging. After all if you tell someone how you feel and they react critically instead of emphatically, you may reconsider sharing in the future. Expressing negative emotions may make you feel guilt or shame, so you cram them down even further. If not dealt with, the negative feelings intensify. Then you begin to see more negative experiences in your life then positive ones. Depression, anger, fear, sadness and anxiety creeps in and you get lost in the shuffle.



Negative feelings can have a damaging impact on your immune system. Certain hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are released in abundant amounts when you are fearful, angry or upset. Too much of these otherwise helpful hormones will weaken your immune system and harm its ability to fight off disease. The opposite is also a scientific fact; that positive emotions such as love, joy and contentment release chemicals within the body that strengthen your immune system. A healthy immune system is imperative in preventing diseases and sicknesses.



Negative emotions have the potential to take over your thoughts and your life. They can impair your ability to think rationally or see situations in their true perspective. The longer you hold onto a negative emotion, the more likely it will become a ‘normal’ pattern of thinking, entrenched in your being. If you continue to hold a grudge for instance, your anger isn’t being released and it may show up as an illness or chronic pain.



If an overwhelming amount of negative emotions are kept bottled up, you may start to look outwardly for ways to be cured. You might use food, exercise, drugs, alcohol, shopping or relationships as your band-aids. Instead, you need to learn to focus inwardly to find the peace and balance you crave.



Accept the fact that your emotions, however unfavorable, are here to stay. You can’t avoid them, so you might as well learn how to work with them instead. You can start by replacing negative emotions with more positive ones. Just by adding the powerful emotion of gratitude to your life can cause huge positive changes to happen.



Life is all about emotions. Any scene or event you have ever experienced can be broken down into many emotional parts. Emotions are simply the physical reactions you have to your thoughts. Your emotions are also constantly changing. One minute you may be feeling happy and at peace with the world, and then you hear a sad story on the news or read a disturbing article in the paper, and your emotions change rapidly to negative ones rather than positive ones.



Emotions are your signs to be more aware of something. They lead you by the hand in the dark Getting in touch with your emotions means paying attention to your mind – body connection. They are also great at helping you decide what you want in life, as well as what you don’t want. Emotions can be fun and should be used as your very own personal guidance system. They point directly to your hearts desires. Listen to your emotions; they are trying to tell you something.



If you are now experiencing more negative feelings then positive ones, then learning a constructive way to release their grip on you should be your priority. Some people use Yoga, Meditation, Aromatherapy, or Prayer. There are many techniques that are helping people rid themselves of unhealthy negative emotions. I use the Release Technique. It taught me how to stop any negativity instantly and now I feel better then ever.



Unless you have the proper guidance, letting go of emotional suffering can be very hard, especially if you have been fighting these emotions for a long time. Letting go, or releasing is something anyone can, and should learn. I don’t mean pushing your emotions away or stuffing them down even further. Your emotions are valid; it’s the feeling of suffering you want to be free of.