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.

"Things are not as bad as I think they are." by Alan Tutt

Today I want to share with you a very powerful affirmation which
has gotten me out of some rather unpleasant circumstances.

According to many who teach affirmations, it's not a good one,
but I can tell you from my own experience -- it works!

Just to make sure we fully understand each other, I should define
what I mean by "affirmation".  An affirmation is a statement
which refocuses our mind with the intention of altering the
experiences we have in our lives.

A classic affirmation may be something like:
"Every day, in every way, my life is getting better and better."

This is the famous affirmation taught by Emile Coue in the
classic book, "Self Mastery Through Conscious Autosuggestion."
(By the way, this book may be found in the Research Library
offered as a bonus with all PowerKeys Publishing memberships.)

The principle behind affirmations is that by repeating the
statement over and over again, our minds start to believe it,
and from there, the power of belief starts to direct the course
of events in our lives to produce the essence of the statement in
our experience.

Traditionally, affirmations are supposed to be phrased in the
present tense (happening, or existing now), and positive (stating
the desired condition directly, rather than through the use of
'not').

Many years ago, when I was just starting to learn these
principles, I had many negative conditions in my life.  When
things seemed to be at their worst, and I could not see any way
to cope, I repeated the following affirmation over and over.

"Things are not as bad as I think they are."

It may seem strange that I didn't use an affirmation that said
something more like "My life is a glorious picture of perfection.
Everything happens exactly as I want it to."

After all, that would seem to fit the standard definition of what
an affirmation is supposed to be, right?

Maybe, but it wouldn't have worked.

Here's why.  To be effective, an affirmation must be believable!

If you try repeating an affirmation that makes your stomach turn
because you know it's absolutely not true, then the only thing
you're doing is reinforcing the belief that things are bad.

And that's not what you want.

Even though that little affirmation doesn't measure up to
traditional standards, it works because it was something I could
believe.  I could believe that I didn't have an accurate idea of
what really existed in the world around me.

And admitting that I didn't know everything opened the door for
my inner mind (and the Power of the Universe) to show me a better
side of the world.

Each time I felt so low that the only thing I could focus my mind
upon was the idea that I was wrong, I would spend a few minutes
repeating this strange little affirmation to myself. 

A few minutes was all it took, because I started to feel better,
and I could believe that there were better things happening, or
at least they COULD happen.

And that was enough to get the ball rolling in the right
direction.  The very next day, I would always find a bit of "good
luck" coming my way, making the sun shine brighter, and easing my
way down Life's highway.

Hopefully, things aren't that bad in your life.  But if they are,
or if you know something who thinks things are that bad, I
suggest using this affirmation:

"Things are not as bad as I think they are."

As surely as the sun rises the next day, so will your spirits.