The Alternative Health Gazette

Depression

Depression can happen to everyone, at any time, and for almost any reason. Sometimes the depression is mild short lived - lasting for just a few days or weeks. Other times however, even mild depression can last months or years. Some people even have more severe forms of depression though, and this even prevents them from going about their regular life.

General symptoms of depression can include sadness, listlessness, little to no interest in family, friends or hobbies, sleep problems, self esteem problems, and feelings of guilt, hopelessness or fear.

Depression is usually caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals and hormones in the body. And there are many herbal supplements as well as natural techniques which can be used effectively for regulating these imbalances. Some herbal remedies have been studied by reputable scientists, while others have been used successfully for many years by professional herbalists.

St. John’s Wort for instance, is one herb which has gotten the most attention for using as a depression treatment. In fact, some people claim that studies have been done which show this herb often works better on depression than high quality prescription antidepression drugs do.

It’s important that you don’t run out and add herbal remedies to your daily supplement routine if you are also taking some form of prescription drug though, because they can sometimes have much higher risks of side effects. Mixing St. John’s Wort and prescription antidepressant drugs for instance, can be a dangerous combination.

Licorice is another very strong natural antidepressant. It’s actually known as a hormone herb because it is an excellent source of the female hormone estrogen - which both men and women need. This herb also stimulates and regulates the adrenal glands and is beneficial to the heart and circulatory system.

Ginseng is another excellent hormone balancing herb which particularly helps with resisting the effects of stress. It also helps give you energy and it’s unusual for most people to be depressed when they’re full of energy.

Gota Kola is an herb which stimulates circulation to the brain, plus it helps balance the hormones and nervous system. When it’s combined with Ginseng and Cayenne, it’s actually a very effective “pick me up” combination.

Fish Oils also have mild, mood balancing effects, plus they contribute to vitamin and mineral deficiencies in your body, which can be a cause of depression as well.

In addition to using herbal remedies and supplements for treating depression, there are several natural ways to treat it too. Meditation, Yoga, and Exercise are the three that give best results. Exercise specifically will increase your endorphins, and give you a bit of a “high” which is wonderful for improving overall moods. Meditation will help calm your nerves and relieve stress, while Yoga accomplishes both exercise and a form of meditation at the same time.

Note: Some statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice.

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