Natural remedies for depression

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Depression, chronic or acute, is not an incurable condition.  There are numerous causes of depression  from nutritional deficiencies, low protein diet, diet high in sugar and other refined carbohydrates, low thyroid function, low blood sugar, food and environmental allergies, lack of exercise, physical illness and other traumatic life events.  

There are numerous things you can do - test for low thyroid function, food and environmental allergies and low blood sugar.  Exercise has been demonstrated to have a tremendous impact on improving mood and the ability to have a tremendous impact on improving mood and the ability to handle stress.  Spending more time in natural sunlight affects the pineal gland's production of melatonin, a hormone that is believed to help prevent depression.  

Virtually any nutrient deficiency can result in depression. Many behavioral changes are typically associated with specific vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as  Folic Acid,  vitamin B12, Thiamin (vitamin B1), Niacin (vitamin B3), and Pyridoxine (vitamin B6), Vitamin C, L-tyrosine, DL-phenylalynine and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe).

HERBS:  

Herbs have been beneficial in helping with depression

Chamomile - contains compounds that have a calming action and also beneficial for anxiety

Goru Kola - used to avoid and treat nervous breakdown. It relieves mental fatigue.  Called "brain food" which supports memory function. 

Gingko - is helpful for depressed elderly people

Ginseng - helps to reduce nervous reaction due to stress, fatigue and depression. It increases stamina and mental alertness

Dong Quai - nourishes brain cells and helps to calm the nerves

Hops  - alleviates nervous tension and promotes restful sleep

Passion flower - is excellent for quieting the nerves and anxiety due to mental worry and overwork. Helps hyper-activity and irritability

St Johns Wort - supports emotional balance and aids mild depression

Chinese Mood Elevator - This herbal combination relieves depression and supports the nervous system. It is for used for feelings of depression and gloom, loss of vitality and fatigue. It moves "energy" towards the head; in this way the body’s spirits are raised.

HOMEOPATHIC:

Depressaquel - is a homeopathic formula to assist in the reduction of minor feelings associated with melancholy, apathy and listlessness by lifting the mood and mental outlook

Ingredients:

Windflower  - weeps easily, highly emotional 

Phosphoric Acid - apathetic, indifferent, despair

Black Cohosh - great depression

Hemlock - timid, anti-social but fears being alone

Potassium Bromide - fears during night, melancholy

St Ignatuis Bean - brooding, sad or tearful

Club Moss - apprehensive, afraid to be alone

Calcium Carbonate - apathy

Silica - anxious, faint-hearted

Selenium - extreme sadness, abject despair, melancholy

NUTRITIONAL:

Iron deficiency is known to affect mood and can exacerbate depression.

Deficiency of vitamin B12 can also create disturbances in mood. A deficiency of the B vitamin, folic acid can also affect mood. A large percentage of depressed people have shown low folic acid levels.

Omega-3 oils found in fish, particularly DHA, is needed for normal functioning of the nervous system. It has been reported that depressed people have lower DHA levels than people who are not depressed.

SAMe - activates the brain to make the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

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