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Dealing With
Depression, Naturally
By Jane Smolnik, C.I.H., Iridologist, Herbalist
Disclaimer: The following information is not intended to
diagnose, treat, cure or prescribe. It is simply given to educate one on natural
choices for taking more responsibility for your own body. Seek proper care when
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Depression reflects
disorders in the mood, which dominates a person's outlook and ability to
handle emotions. Some emotions that may dominate daily living, might be
grief, sadness, guilt, pessimism, hopelessness and despair to varying
degrees. Some of the symptoms may be lack of interest in ordinary
activities, withdrawal from social settings, fatigue or lethargy,
irritability or excessive anger, low self-esteem or lack of confidence, or
even difficulty concentrating. While to degree of severity may range
from mild to severe, for the purpose of this article we will discuss
natural therapies for mild to moderate depression. Severe depression
needs immediate medical attention.
Approximately 17 million people suffer from clinical depression each year,
and over 28 million Americans take anti-depressant drugs or anti-anxiety
medication. Finding the underlying cause can be tricky since a variety of
factors come in to play. Low levels of Serotonin may contribute, as well
as nutrient deficiencies, drugs (prescription, recreational, alcohol,
caffeine, nicotine, etc.), hypoglycemia, hormonal imbalances,
environmental factors, allergies, microbial factors, or thyroid disease.
Medicating with an anti-depressant drug, while keeping symptoms at bay,
will not reverse the underlying imbalance and may create more imbalances
and symptoms. There are many theories regarding why it is such a major
problem in the United States, but I will focus here on the natural
therapies that are proving to be very helpful in allowing people to
naturally get their lives back to normal with manageable emotions and
feelings.
The elimination of
sugar and caffeine has been shown to produce significant benefits in
reducing depression. Increased exercise and participation in physical
activities naturally decreases symptoms because of the immediate
oxygenation of the blood, which renews your vitality and improves mood,
and also has an alkalizing effect reducing over-acidity and irritation in
the body.
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A deficiency of any
single nutrient can alter brain function and ability - so using good,
plant based vitamins and minerals, especially trace minerals, may help
reverse the problem. Insufficiency in Omega-3 oils in the diet has been
linked to depression. Flax Seed oil or Vitamin E can be taken daily to
help. Folic acid, Vitamins B-6 and B-12 are often low in depressed
patients. Toxicity in the body, especially the liver, may not only
contribute to sluggish or foggy thinking and alter mood or increase anger,
but also will reduce the body's natural ability to produce necessary
hormones, which can throw the homeostasis off. Depression is often a
symptom of hormonal imbalance in women. Cleansing the body of toxic
build-up is very important and essential to improve any health condition.
For optimal levels of serotonin there are several natural products which
have been proven to be very effective. The first is the popular herb
St. Johnswort. Taken as
a full strength, whole plant extract can be very effective with less
side-effects than the standardized extracts for hypericin (the active
ingredient in St. Johnswort plant). St. Johnswort oxygenates the cells
and increases zest for life. It also improves vitality and resistance to
illnesses. Kava Kava is
often used in Europe for treating anxiety, depression, insomnia and
restlessness. Ginkgo Biloba
extract is used with good results in people over 50 to improve mood as it
increases cerebral circulation.
Anxiety, irritability, and insomnia can also be addressed by using nervine
relaxing herbs such as Passion Flower or
Skullcap. Since low adrenal
gland function is associated with depression, you could include extracts
of Siberian Ginseng and/or Licorice root to help build the natural energy
supplies.
5-HTP is an amino acid which was also proven in numerous double-blind
studies to increase serotonin levels as effectively as drugs like Prozac,
Paxil, and Zoloft. It is less expensive, better tolerated, and has fewer
and much milder side effects if any. This is a safer version of l-tryptophan
because it is extracted from the seeds of an African plant called
Griffonia simplicifolia rather than being synthesized with the help of
bacteria, and is much more effective at increasing serotonin levels
safely. It is also proven to be very helpful for excess weight and
obesity since the increased serotonin levels help the body feel full and
satiated easily when eating so food consumption naturally decreases. The
body will no longer crave carbohydrates as an attempt to increase
serotonin in the brain. Weight loss can become natural and effortless.
Insomnia and sleep disturbances are also quickly relieved with 5-HTP.
According to Dr. Michael Murray in 'Encyclopedia for Natural Medicine',
"One of the most powerful techniques for producing the necessary
biochemical changes in the brains of depressed individuals is to teach
them to be more optimistic." We can learn to look for and see the
positive in any situation just by becoming more flexible and seeing
things from other viewpoints! Even in the most devastating or difficult
situations we can look for the lesson we need to learn, or the values we
have received as a result that have made us a better person.
I believe that many
Americans have become depressed because they are dissatisfied and
unfulfilled in their work and normal activities. We have become a society
who are always looking for a quick 'fix' to mask, not solve, our problems
including our health. We have been operating too often from our minds and
ego, being logical and practical, but missing out on what our 'Soul' is
trying accomplish or most enjoys being or doing. Learning to come from
our 'heart and soul' in our work and activities can help us feel fulfilled
and excited about life again. What are your passions, your dreams and
desires? What beliefs are keeping you from achieving any of them?
We have to get very
real with ourselves and ask ourselves these questions to help motivate us
enough to seek some help or attend workshops or support groups that speak
to our inner, 'authentic' self, help us to listen, feel more empowered,
and learn to operate from that forgotten but happy space. In the
meantime, we can take good vitamins, natural supplements, herbs, cleanse
our bodies, and improve our lifestyles to support our healing and bring
our bodies and minds back into a healthy balance.
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