Depression
It is estimated that about one in three people who consult their GP have some degree of depression. Symptoms include panicking, sleeping and eating badly, loss of sex drive, unexplained pains and illness, and feeling suicidal. Depression can vary from mild to severe and can be caused by numerous factors including a genetic susceptibility, changes in brain chemistry and hormone levels, medication, nutrition, lifestyle factors and relationship difficulties. Depression can be helped by antidepressant drugs or counseling, so it is important to see your doctor if you feel very low. Mild to moderate depression can benefit from self-help strategies, particularly dietary measures.
Dietary Advice For Depression
US research shows that a high-carbohydrate diet can enhance psychological wellbeing. This may, in part, be due to the fact that complex carbohydrates (wholegrain bread, pasta, rice and potatoes) make it easier for the brain to produce serotonin, the feel-good hormone. Avoid alcohol, which interrupts sleep and intensifies depression by lowering the brain’s levels of serotonin.
Research has also shown that too little selenium in the diet can lead to depression. The average consumption of selenium through the food we eat has dropped to 30 mcg, so it may be wise to supplement with selenium.
In women, levels of magnesium tend to drop before a period and a deficiency is common in women with PMS, magnesium supplement is recommended.
Complementary Remedies For Depression
The herb hypericum (also known as St John’s wort), has been shown to be more effective for mild to moderate depression than standard antidepressants.
Bergamot essential oil is uplifting and antidepressant. Use it in a blend with one or two of the following antidepressant oils: clary sage, coriander, other citrus oils, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, neroli, patchouli, rosemary, rose, ylang ylang, Scots pine. Use 6 drops of your preferred blend in the bath, 10 drops in 25 ml carrier oil for massage, or add a few drops to a handkerchief and inhale. If pregnant avoid rosemay and clary sage oils.
You can also make your own uplifting perfume – for instance, rose and ylang ylang diluted 50/50 in sweet almond oil – but avoid if you have sensitive skin.
The following burner blend can also help lift the gloom: 3 drops ylang ylang, 4 drops bergamot, 2 drops neroli or petitgrain and 1 drop patchouli.
Of the flower remedies, try Mustard for a black cloud of depression that descends from nowhere, Sweet Chestnut for despair, Wild Rose for apathy and Gentian for despondency caused by particular events.
Homeopathy can be successful if you take the right remedy as early on as possible. Aurum metallica can help if you feel disgusted with life; Natrum mur if you build a mountain out of a molehill, want to be on your own and love salt. Phosphorus can help if you are the artistic type who has bouts of depression; Sepia if you are completely indifferent, lethargic and want to be left alone. Take in 30c potency for 3 to 4 days. If there is no improvement, see a homeopath.
Recommended Ready Made Natural Remedies For Depression
- Melancholy Lift – Homeopathic remedy to relieve feelings of melancholy, sadness, grief and weepiness.
- MindSoothe – Promote balanced mood and feelings of wellbeing.
- Mood Tonic – Optimizes nervous system health and promotes balanced mood and peacefulness.
- Uplift Depression-X
Good information. Another thing that has helped depression in a clinical study was flax seed oil. After about 6 to 8 weeks their depression began to lift.
Most people do not get enough good oils, and the brain needs this for proper function.