Depression
Been feeling down in the dumps lately? Maybe for a while? You might be suffering from
depression. One of North America's most common ailments. While mood swings are a normal part of
life, chronic depression is a serious disorder that limits the quality of life and suppresses the immune
system.
The face of depression
Characterized by feelings of chronic sadness, melancholy and disinterest, depression is classified as a
mental illness that affects sufferers in a variety of debilitating ways. Many individuals suffering from
depression experience difficulty carrying out everyday activities, and have trouble coping with life in
general.
As symptoms of depression are varied and complex, receiving an accurate diagnosis can be a lengthy
process. Some symptoms of depression may include the following:
Frequent feelings of guilt or worthlessness about past mistakes
Recurring thoughts about death and/or suicidal thoughts
Fatigue
Lack of energy
Extreme tiredness
Lack of motivation
Irritability
Frustration
Agitation
Restlessness
Indecisiveness
Inattentiveness and difficulty concentrating
Trouble with memory and thinking
Decreased libido
Sudden bouts of intense crying “out of the blue”
Unexplained weight gain or loss
Physical problems with no apparent cause
Symptoms of depression are not the same for everyone, and depends on a number of things including
age, gender, environment, and hereditary factors. People who experience five or more of the above
symptoms for over a two week period may meet the criteria for clinical depression, also referred to as
major depression or major depressive disorder.
Let's pause here to offer the
following DISCLAIMER.
Do not switch to herbal treatments for serious emotional disorders without
consulting a professional health care practitioner with whom you are working with
and is familiar with your issues.
Perhaps it's NOT Depression!
Because depression is quite often a symptom of some other condition, you should attempt to eliminate
its source first instead of looking for a quick fix from a drug or an herb.
Other possible issues:
Allergies to food and other substances
Low blood sugar levels
Some prescription drugs
What is a MAO Inhibitor?
Many commonly prescribed antidepressants work by keeping the neuro-transmitter serotonin
circulating in the brain. If you are at all familiar with antidepressant drugs, you have probably heard of
tricyclic drugs. MAO (Monoamine Oxidase) inhibitors and serotonin uptake re-inhibitors such as
Prozac.
These drugs work by keeping the level of serotonin level and circulating in the brain. There are also
natural herbal ways to achieve this as well...Siberian Ginseng, Licorice and St. John'swort also increase the availability of serotonin in the brain.
Another face of depression
Herbs CAN help...let's look at three:
St. John's Wort
Indigenous to Europe, St. John's wort has a history of use in traditional herbalism as a remedy for
various mental and emotional disorders. The herb is available in powder, tea, tincture and capsule
form. Used today by practitioners of alternative and naturopathic medicine, St. John's wort has been
studied in recent years regarding its effects on brain chemistry. A number of clinical trials have
suggested the effectiveness of St. John's wort as a treatment for mild to moderate
depression. According to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center clinical trial
published in a 2006 edition of BMC Medicine, St. John's wort was superior to placebo in treating
symptoms of major depression. As determined by laboratory experimentation, active constituents in
St. John's wort prevent reabsorption of serotonin in the brain, and might be used as a natural
alternative to man-made depression medications.
Licorice
This little-known treatment for depression is actually quite effective – it has more antidepressant
compounds than St. John’s Wort, but it has not enjoyed the same press. Many of its compounds are, in
fact, MAO inhibitors. Better known for its role in candy flavoring, the root contains glycyrrhizin, which
stimulates the adrenal glands to produce hydrocortisone in the body. Interestingly, adrenal gland
dysfunction has been linked to depression and related disorders. Licorice root can be drunk as a tea,
up to three cups a day, or taken in capsule form. But be cautious about taking licorice for prolonged
periods of time (more than 4 weeks) as it can cause water retention and high blood pressure.
Siberian Ginseng
Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects
on humans. One of this herb’s most important effects appears to be an ability to protect the adrenal
glands, increasing their capacity to withstand prolonged stress, and because it might also help
strengthen the immune system and prevent people from getting sick, resulting in less
depression. Taking ginseng for depression has been shown to treat symptoms and improve mood.
Ginseng is also thought to work by balancing serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters
that regulate the mood.
We all need a little at some time or another...
Herbal Remedies
Here are 2 herbal remedies to help alleviate the symptoms of depression
Antidepressant Tincture
Click the Picture for your PRINTABLE recipe:
Moody - Blues Tea
Equal amounts of the following herbs, place in tea ball or strainer, brew and drink 2-3 cups a day or as
needed.
Nettle leaf
St. John’s wort
Spearmint
Damiana leaf
Kava Kava root
Pinch of organic Stevia
Generally speaking depression can be managed and/or alleviated all together. It takes a lot of
determination and persistence in finding what works specifically for YOU. This is trial and error and
when you eventually find what works, sticking with it. I leave you with just a few simple bullet points
for consideration:
1- Eliminate all exterior possible sources of depression; foods, allergies, medicines, etc...
2- Find, commit to and develop a relationship with a health practitioner with an open mind for
alternative medicine.
3- Commit to possibly using 1/2 man mad medicine and 1/2 herbal medicine with a goal of 100%
conversion to herbal.
4- Work on all other areas of your life that may be contributing to your depression; relationships, work
situations, home life, etc...
5- Never stop growing, learning or giving up hope!
Happy with that peaceful inner glow...
Next Week:
Next time on Herbal Remedies-Common Ailments, we will be learning all about Headaches and how
to soothe them!