Natural Treatments for Depression
St John's Wort, Ginkgo Biloba and More Natural Remedies
Though different people find different things effective, these natural depression medications and treatments are worth trying: St John's wort, gingko biloba and lifestyle
In The Brain Wash, Michelle Schoffro Cook discusses two natural depression medications: St John's wort and ginkgo biloba. Cook also describes several lifestyle options that naturally treat depression.
Natural Treatment for Depression: St John's Wort
Cook says, "St John's wort is particularly effective for depression, particularly for mild to moderate symptoms without the side effects often associated with drugs." St John's wort may not be as effective for severe or double depression, but if you're not taking any antidepressants and are struggling with depression, it may be worth a try.
Note: never take St John's wort, ginkgo biloba or any natural medicine for depression if you're taking antidepressants like Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil or Effexor. Talk to your doctor before considering both natural treatments and antidepressants. It's also important to talk to your doctor if you're taking any prescription medication and want to try natural remedies as well. Sometimes the mixture of prescription medication and natural remedies is harmful.
Natural Treatment for Depression: Ginkgo Biloba
"Ginkgo biloba improves neurotransmitter production in the brain and helps bring oxygen-rich blood to the brain to improve functioning," says Cook. Again, avoid combining natural treatments for depression with natural remedies – no matter how harmless they seem – without consulting a doctor first.
Natural Treatment for Depression: Lifestyle Options
A lack of serotonin is often connected to depressed moods (depression is "inappropriate sadness that persists out of proportion with its apparent cause." That is, you may not be depressed if you've experienced huge losses recently. You may just be sad, which is normal).
Reduced serotonin levels can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, drugs, caffeine, smoking, hormonal imbalances, exposure to neurotoxins, or low blood pressure.
Natural Treatments for Depression
- Increase your physical activity. Though exercise is difficult when you can barely get out of bed or drag yourself to work, start slow. Go for short walks, swims, yoga classes or bike rides. Quit when you need to.
- Avoid refined sugars, unhealthy fats, caffeine, processed foods or fast food restaurants. Eat fresh produce and natural foods.
- Listen to uplifting, upbeat music. It may not be a long-term natural treatment for depression, but it might make you feel good for a little while!
- "Investigate other factors that may contribute to depression, such as anemia, blood sugar imbalances, candida overgrowth, chromium, zinc and/or magnesium deficiencies, adrenal weakness, or toxic overload," says Cook.
- Focus on what you love to do. Paint, garden, read, write, daydream.
- Watch funny movies, go to live comedy shows, tune in to your favorite funny tv sitcoms.
- Drink plenty of water and get some sunshine. Natural treatments for depression can include the basics of life: air, water, and the sun.
- Increase your Omega-3's, B-complex vitamins, fish oil supplements, multivitamins and minerals, and S-Adenosylmethionines (SAMe's). Find out if these natural remedies can interfere with antidepressants, other prescription medications, or other natural treatments for depression.
Natural Treatments for Depression: Treating a Physiological Problem
Cook says, "While some health practitioners dismiss the symptoms as being 'all in [the patient's] head,' increasing volumes of research identifying this disorder as a physiological, not psychological problem."
Different people find different treatments helpful; St John's wort and watching funny movies may work for one person, while another may benefit from antidepressants like Zoloft and extra B-complex vitamins. When finding what works for you, remember to give each method a fair trial - at least a month.
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