Natural healing methods are sometimes effective for relieving mild symptoms of sadness, depression, anxiety and moodiness.
While drugs may be appropriate for people with clinical or severe depression, depression drugs can be hard on the liver.
Here are some natural remedies for treating depression.
Treatment of Depression With Bach Flower Essences
Flower essences are not drugs, nor herbal supplements or vitamins. They are essences, or tinctures of flowers. Just a few drops are taken to help elevate the mood.
While not a treatment for clinical depression, flower essences can help with mild depressed mood, "the blues," and general sense of sadness. This optional remedy is not a medication, but acts as a gentle rescue solution to alleviate sadness.
Time Heals Depression
Overcoming depression may be as simple as riding out the tragedy that triggered it. If severe sadness does not lessen after a couple of weeks, there is a chance that it may be clinical.
Changing daily routine, keeping busy, and exercising all help when the sadness is caused by an external event such as a personal tragedy.
Aerobic Exercise an Effective Depression Treatment
Exercise combats depression because endorphins are released in the brain after just 15-20 minutes of aerobics.
Incorporating fun activities in a daily routine can be an alternative to attending a gym or health club. Here are just some ideas:
- brisk walk
- short bicycle ride
- swimming
- hiking
Take just one or two of these ideas and do them with a friend two or three times a week.
St. John's Wort an Herbal Anti-Depressant
St. John's Wort can be found as an herbal supplement in pill or tablet form, as a tea, or more rarely, as a tincture. The supplements are widely available in most drug stores and health food stores.
It is recommended that St. John's Wort be taken for several weeks for the full anti-depressant effect. Since this is a natural remedy, it is not intended as a long-term solution for persistent depression or clinical depression.
Drinking Water to Help Combat Depression
Drinking water mid-afternoon can help both increase energy and alleviate mild depression.
Water is critical to proper functioning of the entire body, and especially the brain.
“With dehydration, the level of energy generation in the brain is decreased. Many functions of the brain that depend on this type of energy become inefficient. We recognize this inadequacy of function and call it depression. This ‘depressive state’ caused by dehydration can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome.” (p. 56, Your Body’s Many Cries for Water: You Are Not Sick, Your Are Thirsty! by Batmanghelidj, F. M.D.)
Vitamins and Minerals Treat Depression by Helping Brain Functions
The B complex of vitamins are well-known to help combat depression, especially in recovering alcoholics. Proper nutrition helps with brain functions, mood, brain chemistry, and overall sense of well-being.
An excellent way to get a natural source of all of the B vitamins, as well as other critical minerals needed for proper brain functioning is to juice vegetables. Otherwise, supplements or liquid vitamins can be purchased at any grocery store, health food store, or pharmacy.
These are just some of the natural alternatives to anti-depressant drugs. There are also natural therapists, holistic chiropractors, naturopaths, nutrition experts, and other healers that can help deal with depression.
Fighting depression on your own is okay if the symptoms are mild and short-lived. If the symptoms are more severe, interfere with daily functioning, or last more than two weeks, it is a good idea to see a health care professional.
Sources:
Your Body’s Many Cries for Water: You Are Not Sick, Your Are Thirsty! By F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.
Potatoes Not Prozac by Kathleen DesMaison, Ph.D., Addictive Nutrition
The Complete Book of Juicing by Michael T. Murray, N.D.
Juicing, Fasting, and Detoxing for Life by Cherie Calbom, M.S.
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