Natural Remedies For Depression

It would appear that nearly everyone is somewhat depressed.

A known consumer magazine has declared that 86 per cent of us could experience a happier mood. That’s a lot.

But the good news is: you and I am not alone when we feel down.

However, a number of people never admit sadness, they simply withdraw and hide from other people.
They deny being depressed and won’t even consider remedies for depression or anything else.

Depression or everyday “blues”?

These everyday blues include mild depression, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, low vitality, low self-esteem and feeling of hopelessness.

Sounds familiar?

You may have never been diagnosed with depression.

But… have you ever lost all interest in things around you? To the point of being incapable of any pleasure?
Have ever all things appear bleak and time passed slowly for you?

How about being angry, irritable all too often? Have you ever tried to sleep off your “blues”?
Or do nothing but just lay around…?

You see, in majority of people depression is not severe. They still function.
But at much lower capacity and a slower pace.
Truly, those people could benefit most from natural remedies for depression.

Is it “all in your mind?”

In fact and truth happiness (or lack thereof) is a state of mind, speaking from a biochemical perspective.

Brain chemicals are so powerful. They help control and regulate nearly all bodily functions.
Mood, sex, pain, to name but a few.

Natural remedies for depression can impact secretion of these brain chemicals (to your benefit!)

What’s the deal with serotonin?

As far as the mood goes: serotonin is the main biochemical hormone that controls the mood and is manufactured in the brain. It is also involved in transmission of nerve impulses.

It is the job of serotonin to create the sense of happiness and maintain good emotional balance.

It is the job of natural remedies for depression to naturally raise serotonin levels in the brain.

Symptoms of depression

Oh, well, there is a multitude.
They include behaviors listed closer to the headline of this page.

But that’s not an all-inclusive list.  

Chronic fatigue syndrome, over-tiredness, insomnia, sleeping frequently, sleeping for excessive periods of time – could all signal severe depression. So could the loss of appetite or ravenous appetite.
All kinds of aches: headaches, backaches.

If such symptoms manifests in you,

Try natural remedies for depression

…before resorting to heavy duty drugs.

Other symptoms include thoughts and feelings: some people think of death, suicide. This is always very serious (see “Word of Caution” below)

The whey out of the blues

No, this is not a misprint!

Whey protein is what contains so-called whey isolates.
These whey isolates happen to be one of the best sources of tryptophan.

On another page here I have already mentioned tryptophan, by saying that foods rich in tryptophan will make it easy for you to fall asleep.

Why is tryptophan an essential  natural depression remedy?

Tryptophan is amino acid building block for serotonin!

Back in the ‘80s a lot research had been done to evaluate tryptophan in depression treatment. In many aspects tryptophan proved to perform better than patented antidepressants.

But with the advent of new generation of antidepressant drugs all the research on tryptophan was eventually brought to a full stop.

The fact remains however that tryptophan increases brain’s production of serotonin.

But with the advent of new generation of antidepressant drugs all the research on tryptophan was eventually brought to a full stop.

The fact remains however that tryptophan increases brain’s production of serotonin.

Other depression remedies.

You already know that whey protein should be your choice of protein if you are prone to the blues. But of course, there are many other remedies for depression worth researching.

Nature’s Prozac”

“Nature’s prozac” happens to be one of them.

This is how HTP, or hydroxy-tryptophan is often referred to.
It is made from the seeds of an African plant Griffonia simplicifolia.

HTP is found in the body. The human body converts tryptophan into HTP. It is the direct precursor of serotonin, the “feel good hormone”.

Well, serotonin is indeed involved in regulating mood and sleep.

Many alternative practitioners find it valuable for support in cases of mild to moderate forms of depression. 

Vitamin D plus sunshine and your mood.

Some people become depressed (or more depressed) in the winter.
Days are shorter, darker.
Meanwhile the sun and bright light appear to trigger melatonin in the brain. Among other good things, melatonin prevents the blues.
Research reveals that as little as 2 hours of morning sunshine is very effective in lifting depression.

The sun is also responsible for vitamin D synthesis in the body, vital for serotonin production. Those living indoor lives need an extra vitamin D.

Omega 3 supports your nerves and neurons!

Omega 3 fatty acids from cold water fish and flax seed have recently been recognized as natural remedies for depression.

According to most experts the fatty acids are necessary for nerve-to-brain communications. They are essential for the health of neurons (brain cells).

Omega 3 provides countless benefits for the human body. It is also recognized as invaluable among many natural remedies for depression.

Prefer flax seed oil? 
Read and learn, you’ll be amazed.

Do not be without B (vitamins)

Here’s a little trade secret from your Herbalist.

Please do not waste your money on a cheap, synthetic B-complex.
A good formula that will provide important support for production of neurotransmitters (not to mention the calming effect) must also have vitamin C added to support adrenal glands.

That’s not all. The formula should contain natural mood stabilizers: Hops, Valerian, Passion Flower etc. at a proper ratio for best possible effects!

What is St. John’s Wort worth?

This is the single most important herb deserving special mention among all natural remedies for depression.

European researchers revealed that compounds in the herbs alter brain chemistry

In a way that greatly improves mood.
For instance: greater dopamine (another neurotransmitter) production in the brain.
And this is pretty consistent with antidepressant effects of many anti depressant drugs.

Standardized extract of St. John’s Wort in clinical studies showed to be more effective than several drugs in relieving depression, including amitryptyline and imipramine. (Drugs associated with significant side effects, I might add.)

Today this herb is a popular alternative to prescriptions even among mental health pros for mild to moderate depression.

Therefore please make sure it is included in your arsenal of natural remedies for depression.

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A WORD OF CAUTION If you are severely depressed, seek medical and psychological counseling. Do not discontinue any prescriptions medications without knowledge and approval of your doctor. Be sure to discuss with your physician the possibility of incorporating natural remedies for depression.

_____________________________________________________________________________ Consult your doctor before using any of the above if you are currently taking any prescription medication. Do not discontinue use of any prescription medication without your doctor’s knowledge and approval. Nothing written or portrayed in this website should be taken as prescription, diagnoses or a substitute for consultation with a competent medical doctor. For educational purposes only.

 

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