Herbal Remedies for Depression

If specialized psychological help is expensive, you can always use autosuggestion (your own will) and herbs for depression to get out of this state.

Rest assured - it's not you :). The explanation lies in the fact that you don't have enough energy and a poor ability to concentrate.

Why do I get depressed?
Asthenia, hormonal problems (my husband nags me saying that women PMS last two weeks before and two after - well, he is a crying baby if you ask me :) ), post partum depression, something that boders you, material problems, work related issues or conflicts with others.

A particular case is for those people who work indoors or don't get much sun light. It's been studied that lack of sunlight leads to depression, anxiety, agitation, reduce physical capacity, mental, intellectual. (N. E. Rosenthal - "Journal of the American Medical Association" 1999)

What can I do?
Positive attitude plays an important role.
The best remedy against depression is our mind. You must convince yourself you should get out of this state. You must get involved in what's happening and stop feeling sorry for yourself.

Typically, a walk outdoors reinvigorates. It's all about the sun and the fresh air :). First of all - get outside. Once you get the foot of the doorway, nature will take its course.

Try to do something that makes you happy. A bike ride usually does it for me. Or a walk on the seashore. These activities put a smile on my face for quite a while. Although I am not a big shopping fan, if my husband gets me something nice it will light all of my day :)

The biochemical cause of depression
Although this is still a controversial topic, there are studies showing that an imbalance in serotonin levels (a neurotransmitter) may influence mood in a way that leads to depression.



Neurons interact with each other through chemicals called neurotransmitters. Various disturbances are caused either by under-production or over-production of neurotransmitters, or the fact that neurons don't have enough receptors for neurotransmitters. Other causes are the inability of serotonin to reach the receptor sites, or a shortage in tryptophan, the chemical from which serotonin is made.

If any of these biochemical glitches occur, researchers believe it can lead to depression, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, panic, anger and even excess.

Antidepressant drugs work in general adjusting the levels of serotonin.

For women there are also several other factors that may cause serotonin levels to decrease. I refer to menstruation, childbirth, menopause - periods that occur in the life of any woman. The decrese in estrogen levels that occur at these times leads to a drop in serotonin. Hence the psychological discomfort and states of depression and anxiety that women often complain. So see - there is a logical explanation to it :) .

Herbal remedies for depression

1. St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum). This herb is known as a remedy against mild to moderate depression.

Make a tea and drink 3 cups per day or put 3 drops of tincture in a little water and drink 5 times a day.

You can mix St. John's Wort with Horsetails or Borage (Starflower) and use them in sitz bath.

Here are some more information on St. John's Wort uses and recipes.

2. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Experimental results regarding the use of Lemon balm to treat disorders such as depression, anxieties of all sorts have been more than encouraging. Drink in the form of infusion. It improves the melancholy and irritability states and helps a deep sleep.

3. Dog Rose (Rosa canina).Dog Rose is an excellent natural vitamine source. It regulates heart rate and reduce palpitations. It is recommended especially in hyperemotivity and nervous tension.

4. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) is one of the plants known to the whole body tonic effects.Due to the active substances in its composition (vitamins A, C and E, tannins, flavonoids, bitter glycosides, phenolic acids and leonurine, a specific compound), the plant acts as an antidepressant and it soothes the heart and stomach.

5. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is one of the most effective remedy in treating emotional disorders, and their associated physical disorders.

6. Lime (Tilia cordata) influences favorably neural states, producing a calm sleep.

7. Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna or Crataegus oxycantha).Hawthorn preparations exert a calming action on the nervous system having at the same time the property to slightly decrease blood pressure. It is recommended in excessive emotivity, cardiac neurosis and states of excitability with arrhythmia.

Flowers or fruit tea is prepared by infusion. Put 250 g / 8.8 oz of boiling water over a spoon of flowers or fruit. After 15 minutes, strain the tea, sweeten it and drink during the day.

8. Field Poppy (Papaver rhoeas). Because of the alkaloid content in the petals, it has slightly sedative properties.

9. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). It is recommended in treating asthenia, physical and intellectual overwork, toning the body.See recipe below.

10. Primrose (Primula officinalis). The tea removes neurotic disorders. It is a remedy against insomnia.Primrose tea is also an excellent way strengthening the nerves and the toning of the heart. It soothes migraines and nervous headaches.

Recipes

Antidepressant recipe

• Chop a handful of fresh rosemary and put it a bottle of white wine.
• Let it stand for 4 days.
• Strain and drink with a teaspoon according to your needs.

It is delicious. How can you stay depressed when it tastes so good?

Antidepressant and herbal remedy against headaches

• Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 3 teaspoons of dried flowers and leaves of primrose.
• Cover the infusion and let it stand for 15 minutes.
• Strain and sweeten.
• Drink it warm or hot.

Other remedies for depression

Aromatherapy helps by relaxing the body and nervous system. Herb oils good for depression are floral oils from geranium, rose, jasmine, neroli, ylang-ylang, peppermint, lavender, chamomile, citrus oils - bergamot, lemon, grapefruit and mandarin.

For external use:

• Pine Oil massages or steam inhalations.
• Compresses and poultices on the forehead, neck and spine with St. John's Wort tincture, Gingko biloba and Swedish Bitter.
• Massage with 2 drops of lavender oil and one drop of chamomile oil in 1 tablespoon of sweet almond oil or grape seed oil.

For internal use:

• Pollen.
• Macerate from honey and Sea Buckthorn fruit, pollen and propolis.

To get rid of nervousness, insomnia and depression, you can take a spoonful of pollen in the morning for 3-4 weeks.

It's been two months since I began taking one teaspoon of pollen every morning. Initially I started this cure for immunity in the winter season. In these troubled times (it's economic recession in my country also :) ) I would worry and would get depressed, but, to my surprise, I am quite happy and confident in our future - even now, writing this article :) thanks to pollen.

Foods that will put you in a good mood
Serotonin is obtained from the tryptophan - an essential amino acid wich can not be synthesized by the body and is obtained through proper diet.

Vitamin B complex and Magnesium also have a key role in regulating the secretion of serotonin. You can find them in the supplements prescribed by doctors or in food.

Depressive people must resist the temptation to drown their sorrows in alcohol, tobacco, drugs or coffee.

Bananas are rich in potassium and magnesium.

Beetroot is a wonder vegetable, it has many vitamins, improves metabolism, fight anemia and has a detoxification effect on the liver, helping it to destroy the stored fat. Apart from Beetroot, it is recommended that you include in your diet carrots, celery, spinach, lettuce, parsley, cabbage, onion and garlic with tonic and stimulating effects.

Pumpkin is rich in tryptophan. Pumpkin pie has become a tradition in our family. Whenever we go to my parents in the country I always get a pumpkin to make pie.

Soybeans, beans and peas also contain tryptophan, as well as ocean fish (salmon, tuna, cod) rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Eating turkey will get you in a good mood because it contains tryptophan - the precursor of serotonin, which gives a sense of wellness and decreases appetite.

Also, milk and cheese contain tryptophan. In addition, the tryptophan in the cheese is absorbed better than the one in the meat.You drink a cup of warm milk with honey. It's tasty, healthy and reassuring.

Barley is a cereal with tonic and restorative effects. it is recommended in atonic conditions, in demineralization and states of fatigue depression.

Increase the amount of vitamins consumed
People suffering from powerful depression lose vitamins. They require additional vitamins, primarily B -complex (destroyed by caffeine), vitamins C, E and PP to ensure proper functioning of the nervous system. These vitamins maintain vascular flexibility, provide a better irrigation of the brain and stimulate the release of antistress hormones.

Vitamin C is taken by eating lettuce, spinach, nettles, red beet juice and rosehip jam and vitamin E in wheat germ and soybean oil.

Suggested menu:
Whole wheat bread, cereals, tofu, milk, cocoa, grapefruit, bananas, pineapples, cherries, avocados, plums, almonds can make up a breakfast or snack which will maintain a high tone throughout the day.

At lunch or dinner you can eat chicken, fish, rice, spinach, brussels sprouts. Do not forget soy, algae and garlic that you can also use to complement your meal.

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