Natural Remedies for Depression
This article is not intended to take the place of medical advice from a physician or licensed naturopath. Herbal and natural remedies also carry their share of side effects and interactions. You should always talk with your doctor or naturopath before starting herbal or natural remedies of any kind.
Image via Wikipedia
Millions of Americans struggle with depression. Depression can be caused by off-kilter brain chemistry, a traumatic life event, or even genetics. Most people with depression take medication manufactured by the big pharmaceutical companies. While these medications can be effective, they carry a long list of unwanted side effects. Such side effects can include decreased sexual functioning, increased weight, nausea, insomnia, and more. Though some people should stick with these medications, there is a wide variety of herbal and other natural remedies for depression. While they sometimes take a little longer to become effective, herbal and flower essence remedies are often kinder and more gentle to the body.
Herbal Remedies
One of the best-known remedies for depression is St. John’s Wort. These cute little yellow flowers pack quite a punch against depression. It’s been in clinical use in Germany for over forty years, with excellent results for most people. It has also shown proven results in healing childhood ear infections and PMS.
St. John’s Wort causes photosensitivity, so be sure to use a strong sunscreen and avoid tanning booths if you take this product. The other drawback is it tends to react with many common foods and beverages, causing nausea and possibly high blood pressure. Like almost everything else these days (except maybe food, air and water and lately it seems those are becoming debatable!), pregnant and nursing women should avoid St. John’s Wort.
Some herbal depression remedies come pre-made, with a variety of herbs listed in the product. Make sure to read the label to know what you are getting.
Passion Flower, Siberian Ginseng, Licorice, and Ashwaganda are also very good at alleviating the symptoms of depression in many users. Be safe, and do your research before trying these or any other herbals.
Flower Essences
There are many brands of flower essences on the market today. Triond rules prohibit a listing, but a quick Google search will turn up many. Flower remedies are safe and very effective. The come in small bottles with an eyedropper. They are easily taken by squeezing a few drops under the tongue, or in a glass of water. One of the best essences for depression is Borage. Borage essence instills courage and it can help you with grief, sadness, depression and feelings of discouragement.
Another good flower essence to try is Daisy Fleabane. This flower essence is excellent for deep depression and negative thought patterns. It can help you gain clarity, feel more cheerful, and motivate you towards positive change. There are many others as well. Just do a search and you’ll quickly discover many others as well!
With time and experimentation, you may be able to treat your depression with safe and effective natural alternatives to costly prescription drugs.
Liked it
Uma Shankari | Mar 22, 2009 | Reply
You have written yellow flowers, perhaps it’s lavender/violet, which is what I can see in the foreground. I strongly believe that herbs hold the key for our future health. Plant kingdom came first to the earth before humans did, and had to adapt and evolve to protect themselves against parasites.
Good article. We need more such ones.
JLEck | Mar 28, 2009 | Reply
Great article, Sheila! Homeopathic remedies for anything is better than paying one of the largest lobbying groups-the big pharmies.