Native Remedies
Calendar
Depression is a disease that many people may experience at some point during their lifetime. In order to
bring yourself, or loved one out of a state of depression, focus on removing the feeling of “lost”. There are many natural ways to cure depression elderly people can do without the use of drugs and many of them are free.
1. State of Mind. Challenge yourself to replace negative thinking with positive thinking. Increase your happy thoughts by reading funny newspaper cartoons or watching a funny movie.
2. Hobby. Hobbies are a great way to combine staying busy and doing something you love. Elderly people may try gardening in their yard, or in a window box, to help keeping them busy.
3. Routine Enjoyment. Whether reading a book or playing a game, take the time to do something you love every day. This is a way to treat depression elderly people should find enjoyable.
4. Exercise. Exercise is a great way to help you cure depression. Not only will this help you get into shape and boost your confidence, exercise also naturally increases the release of endorphins which helps make you feel good.
5. Diet. A poor diet can be a cause of depression, such as eating a lot of junk food or being on a high protein diet. Instead eat a well balanced diet with fruit, vegetables and whole grains foods, which can help increase the neurotransmitters in our brains, most commonly associated with mood.
6. Meditation. Meditation can decrease depression and stress in your life. Meditation can also help you find an inner peace within yourself, and help you think about people and situations in a more relaxed way.
7. Be Thankful. Instead of thinking about the people and things we do not have in our lives, we should be grateful for all that we do have.
8. Volunteer. Volunteering can help treat depression by boosting your mood. Knowing you have made a difference in a person’s life can give you a sense of purpose.
9. Join a Social Group. There are many types of groups and clubs to choose from. Some people may try joining a gardening club to share their own experiences or learn from others if you are just staring out. Facebook is another way you can connect with people currently in your life, from your past or even on the other side of the world.
10. Get Help. Recovering from depression is not easy to overcome on your own. Know when you need help and seek a friend, family member or professional for assistance.
The recovery process from depression is about maintaining a focus or direction in your life. Doing things that you enjoy with those you love will only strengthen your ability to finding happiness.
Shelby Buquoi is the general manager of Flower Window Boxes, Inc. Their no rot window boxes have been featured on The Today Show as “the last window boxes you will ever have to buy” and they are available in all sizes. Click to learn more about their patentedself watering window boxes or if you’d like to learn more about creating a garden in your window as a hobby.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelby_Buquoi
photo by: *JRFoto*
licensed under: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Herbs have been used to treat depression for centuries – long before the pharmaceutical drug industry was born.
I have listed the most prevalent herbs for depression below.
If you know of any depression herbs that I’m missing that are not listed here please let me know and I’ll be happy to validate and include them.
Depression Herbs Listed Alphabetically:
Ashwaganda: Ashwaganda has been used in India for thousands of years in ayurvedic (ancient) medicine as a depression and anxiety remedy. University and medical researchers have been studying Ashwaganda since at least the early 1960s.
Chemical analysis shows that Ashwaganda contains compounds thought to have anti-stress properties. Ashwaganda works by suppressing dopamine receptors in the brain. It helps the body adapt to stress by both calming and rebuilding the nervous system.
Further, it helps stimulate respiratory function and smooth muscle relaxations. Ashwaganda also has immune supportive properties and helps support the thyroid gland.
Balm: A member of the mint family, this herb also is known as Melissa. Use the leaves and tops when they are fresh and: green rather than dried. A balm tea will stimulate your brain, relieving that apathetic, lethargic feeling.
Basil: Many people believe that fresh basil leaves added to salads can help lift depression.
Borage: Borage is a natural and effective antidepressant. It is also rich in potassium. Juice from borage leaves and blossoms exerts a specific stimulating effect on the glandular system, which helps to overcome the “blue” feeling. Use the leaves and seeds to alleviate sadness, pensiveness, and melancholy.
Suggested as a remedy for melancholy, it stimulates, energizes and renews a zest for life. The young leaves can also be used to make a refreshing salad.
Damiana: This herb stimulates the nervous system and helps to improve the mood.
Folic Acid: Folic acid is an important member of the B Vitamin family and is required along with the others when the body is dealing with anxiety and panic. Research suggests that folic acid may help relieve depression, which is often associated with anxiety and panic.
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA): GABA was discovered in 1950, is the most important and widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Excitation in the brain must be balanced with inhibition. Too much excitation can lead to depression, anxiety, restlessness, irritability, insomnia, and even seizures. GABA is able to induce relaxation and suppress depression and anxiety.
Ginger: In addition to its uplifting flavor, there are other good reasons to take ginger along with any other antidepressant herbs that you are taking. Ginger has a long folk history of use for treating anxiety and depression.
Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba): Ginkgo is found to be useful in relieving depression, especially in the elderly who suffer reduced blood flow to the brain, according to results form clinical trials.
Ginkgo biloba improves cerebral circulation, improving memory and often benefiting depression. Ginkgo can be taken along with other herbs and nutrients to bolster one’s overall mood.
5-Hydroxy Tryptophan (5 HTP): 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan is another naturally occurring amino acid and precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and an intermediate in tryptophan metabolism.
Serotonin is a key brain chemical that helps establish feelings of calm and well-being. Extensive research has linked serotonin imbalance with depression and anxiety disorders, and proven tryptophan supplementation to be an effective remedy for symptoms associated with these disorders.
Recommended Source For Quality Raw Herbs Cheap – Click on image below:
Kava Kava(Piper Methysticum): This herb has a long history of use in reducing anxiety, but is relatively new in the treatment of anxiety-related depression. Several European countries have approved kava for the treatment of insomnia, nervous disorders and depression. In the U.S., kava preparations are available as dietary supplements.
L-Theanine: L-Theanine is an amino acid commonly found it tea. Because it can enter the brain, it has psychoactive properties. L-Theanine has been shown to reduce mental and physical stress and may produce feelings of relaxation – without drowsiness.
L-Theanine is thought to produce these effects by stimulating the brain’s production of alpha waves, which make you feel relaxed but alert and not drowsy. L-theanine also helps you stay relaxed by stimulating your body to produce other calming amino acids, such as dopamine, GABA, and tryptophan.
L-Theanine reduces stress, anxiety, and depression without the tranquilizing effects found in many other calming supplements.
The Japanese use an extract form of L-Theanine to relax; they consume foods or chewing gums that have L-theanine added, which are marketed to calm jitters, or take it as a dietary supplement. The supplement has recently begun to appear in American stores.
L-Tyrosine: L-Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid [protein building block]. L-Tyrosine helps form three important neurotransmitters: dopamine, ephrine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are responsible for functions like memory, mood, appetite, and muscular coordination. Clinical studies have shown that L-Tyrosine supplements help with depression, anxiety, and heighten the mood in just a matter of a few weeks. It also helps fight fatigue and irritability.
Research shows L-Tyrosine is most effect when combined with other mood-improving nutrients.
Rhodiola Rosea: Rhodiola Rosea is very effective for improving mood and alleviating depression symptoms. Russian research shows that it improves both physical and mental performance, reduces fatigue, and even prevents high altitude sickness.
Rhodiola rosea’s effects are attributed to its ability to optimize serotonin and dopamine levels.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum): Without a doubt St. John’s Wort is the most widely used and recognized herbal depression treatment. It has a long history of folk use for treating depression. The flowers of this herb make an infusion that is effective in relieving sadness and melancholy.
Clinical studies show that treatment with just one of the active compounds in this herb, hypericin, results in significant improvement in anxiety, depression and feelings of worthlessness.
Studies also show that St. John’s Wort improves sleep quality, often a major problem for people who are seriously depressed. In one study, German researchers gave St. John’s Wort to 105 people with moderate depression. Compared with a similar group not receiving the herb, they slept better and exhibited less sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, exhaustion and headache. They also reported no side effects.
Vinpocetine: Vinpocetine is a nutritional supplement derived from the periwinkle plant. It has only recently become available in the U.S. through food, drug and mass market retailers as a nutritional supplement. The supplement is already very much in use in Europe, where physicians believe it is far more effective than other supplements — such as ginkgo biloba — used for memory and brain function. Vinpocetine actually contains many of the same cerebral-enhancing effects as ginkgo biloba, but has been shown to be more effective in much shorter time.
Vinpocetine has been extensively studied in Europe. These clinical studies have found it to provide several advantages for the human brain, including memory enhancement, increased cognitive performance, improved cerebral circulation and higher mental acuity and awareness.
Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 helps the body to manufacture brain chemicals (neurotransmitters), such as Serotonin, essential for the body to cope with depression and anxiety. Vitamin B6 may also help boost the immune system.
Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 helps the body to cope with depression and anxiety because it works in concert with other B vitamins. B12 supports the nervous system and assists the body in converting food into energy.
photo by: h. koppdelaney
licensed under: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Powered by WP Robot