Anyone know any natural cures for depression that acutally work?

Show all answers

Post your answer

Sven	Maybe you need medication. There are a lot of pills approved by the FDA for clinical depression. Read more here: http://www.expodrugs.com/ Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Hot Coco Puff	SAM-e supplement works wonders, it's natural and it will help you to feel much better. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

david	The Bach flower remedies work great! Mustard, Gentian, Gorse... Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

voguehit	There are many reasons as to why someone is depressed. Environmental reasons such as the moon- it is known to affect behavior, The weather due to the pressure in the air, a lack of vitamins or as a reaction to stress, anxiety or a situation. The first thing to determine is why someone is depressed- you have to go to the root of the question. The other question to ask is when is that person depressed? This is to determine whether it could be hormonal or a reaction to outside things such as weather etc. The other thing is there is this thing called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD for short) which is a depression which is linked to lack of sunlight- highest rates of suicides are from countries with not much sunlight- grim but true- sunlight makes us happy. So when you've determined the why and when then you can focus on a solution. If it's hormonal, there are supplements and herbs you can use which will help to ease this, If it's SAD or if it's full blown depression and to consider getting out of bed one needs a crutch then consider St John's Wort- it goes through the same pathways as Prozac but it's a herb and doesn't have the side effects- read up about it though because sometimes it's contraindicated- it's also not addictive and it doesn't change your personality so that's a major plus. If depression is due to circumstance then it might be good to think about changing your situation, sometimes a person needs help with that and counselling can be good to help understand what is wrong and how one can change it. If one is prone to depression and it tends to recur the other thing to consider is what to avoid- certain foods make it worse like alcohol, caffeine, fats- stimulants in general- they generally heighten anxiety. Food can also heal so eat good, healthy food and eat regularly. The last cure is exercise- If I remember correctly, when you exercise, it releases endorphins in the brain which makes you happy. So if you exercise regularly, you should see a difference. There is another thing and that's serotonin. Also if I remember correctly, serotonin is linked to Melatonin in the brain (serotonin is the happy hormone in your brain- some people have less of it.. and Melatonin is to do with light and sleep) So if you have regular good sleep your serotonin is less likely to suffer, if you have less (if I remember correctly) it impinges on it. Other thing is computers they disturb Melatonin production because you're basically looking at a bright light for ages and your body doesn't know when it's day or night so it confuses it- that also affects serotonin levels. The cure for depression is treating the cause of it- it's best to treat the cause as opposed to the symptom otherwise it will keep coming back. Pills in the long run are not the solution because they're addictive, mask the causes and symptoms and they change your personality. If you suffer from depression often it may be also that you're very sensitive and reactive to your environment and lifestyle- in that case, changing certain things in your lifestyle will be one of the best cures. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Archangel Gabriel	St John's Wort often helps. Exercise is also useful. Try some Yoga or Qigong/Tai Chi, followed by a meditation and a hot bath. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

elena	I'm an herbalist in calif. and for years suffered from depression. An Iridologist said it stemed from the bowels. I did an intense cleansing and colonics and I haven't suffered since. Anxity goes with depression and so does overthinking, worry and insomnia. There is an herbal remedy called suan zao ren from china that works great for that. Because chronic anxiety is a precurser to depression. Helene at botanicawest.com I became an Iridologist since that experiance. I was so impressed by my outcome. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

papermango	A healthy diet of fruits , vegetables, whole grains , low fat meats and I also gave up dairy products because they contain Vitamin A added which is a toxic vitamin I also started taking a multi-enzyme from GNC and that stopped the depression that I have been suffering for most of my life. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

little s	DONT TAKE CAFFINATED DRINKS. try to get hterapy or exercise. U know what worked for me was getting up in the morning and going to the nearest gym. Working out in the morning helped a lot. Not to mention it was healthy and wise. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

amembal4444	Try Bach Flower essences. Rescue Remedy mother tincture, 2 drops on the tongue twice a day for a month should do the trick. Safe and no side effects. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Chet	Try the Natural Cure. This is no joke, it has worked well for others. Depression is the most prevalent of all the emotional disorders. This may vary from feelings of slight sadness to utter misery and dejection. It brings together a variety of physical and psychological symptoms which together constitute a syndrome. Depression is the most unpleasant experience a person can endure. It is far more difficult to cope with than a physical ailment. The growing complexities of modern life and the resultant crisis, as well as mental stress and strain in day-to-day living, usually leads to this disorder. It also arises out of the monotony and drudgery of a daily routine, without any meaningful variation in urban life. Suicide is the major risk in extreme cases of depression. Symptoms: It is not always easy to diagnose depression clinically. The most striking symptoms of depression are feelings of acute sense of loss and inexplicable sadness, loss of energy, and loss of interest. The patient usually feels tired and lacks interest in the world around him. Sleep disturbance is frequent. Usually the patient wakes up depressed at 4 or 5 in the morning and is unable to return to sleep. Other disturbed sleep patterns are difficulty in getting off to sleep on going to bed at night, nightmares and repeated waking from midnight onwards. The patient often suffers from guilt, oppressive feelings, and self-absorption. Other symptoms of depression are: loss of appetite, giddiness, itching, nausea, agitation, irritability, impotence or frigidity, constipation, aches and pains all over the body, lack of concentration and lack of power of decision. Some persons may lose interest in eating and suffer from rapid loss of weight while others may resort to frequent eating and as a result gain in weight. Cases of severe depression may be characterized by low body temperature, low blood pressure, hot flushes, and shivering. The external manifestations represent a cry for help from the tormented mind of the depressed persons. The severely depressed patient feels worthless and is finally convinced that he himself is responsible for his undoing and his present state of hopeless despair. Causes: Depleted functioning of the adrenal glands is one of the main causes of mental depression. Irregular diet habits cause digestive problems and lead to the assimilation of fats. An excess of carbohydrates like cereals, white sugar, coffee, tea, chocolates and comparatively less quantities of vegetables and fruits in the diet may result in indigestion. Due to indigestion, gases are produced in the digestive tract, causing compression over the Diaphragm in the region of the heart and lungs. This in turn, reduces the supply of oxygen to the tissues, which raises the carbon dioxide level, causing general depression. The excessive and indiscriminate use of drugs also leads to faulty assimilation of vitamins and minerals by the body and ultimately causes depression. The use of Aspirin leads to deficiencies of vitamin C and antacids can cause deficiencies of Calcium and vitamin B. Diabetes, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and weakness of the liver resulting from the use of refined or processed foods, fried foods, and an excessive intake of fats may also lead to depression. The Cure: The modern medical system treats depression with anti-depression drugs which provide temporary relief but have harmful side-effects and do not remove the causes or prevent its recurrence. The harmful side effects include gross liver damage, hypersensitivity, insomnia, hallucinations, a confused state, convulsions, a fall in blood pressure which brings on headaches and dizziness , blurred vision, difficulty in inhaling and urine retention. The plan of action for self-treatment of depression consists of regulating the diet, exercise, scientific relaxation, and meditation. Diet has a profound effect on the mental health of a person. Even a single nutritional deficiency can cause depression in susceptible people. Dr. Pricilla, associate clinical professor at the University of California, prescribes nutritional therapy to build up brain chemicals, such as serotonin and Norepinephrine that affect mood and are often lacking in depressed people. She recommends eating foods rich in B vitamins, such as whole grains, green vegetables, eggs and fish. The diet of persons suffering from depression should completely exclude tea, coffee, alcohol, chocolate, and cola, all white flour products, sugar, food colorings, chemical additives, white rice, and strong condiments. The diet should be restricted to three meals. Fruits can be taken in the morning for breakfast with milk and a handful of nuts and seeds. Lunch may consist of steamed vegetables, whole-wheat chappatis and a glass of buttermilk. For dinner, green vegetable salad and all available sprouts such as Alfalfa seeds, mung, cottage cheese or a glass of buttermilk would be ideal. Activity and Exercise: The depressive mood can be overcome by activity. Those who are depressive will forget their misery by doing something. They should turn away from themselves and consider others. At home they can take to decorating, repairing or constructing something new. The pleasure of achievement overcomes the distress of misery. Exercise also plays an important role in the treatment of depression. It not only keep the body physically and mentally fit but also provides recreation and mental relaxation, it is nature’ best tranquilizer. According to Dr. Robert Brown, a clinical associate professor at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. "Exercise produces chemical and psychological changes that improves your mental health. It changes the levels of hormones in blood and may elevate your beta-endorphins(mood-affecting brain chemicals). Exercise may also improve the function of the autonomic nervous system." Exercise also gives a feeling of accomplishment and thus reduces the sense of helplessness. Some form of active exercise, must be undertaken each day at a regular hour. To be really useful, exercise should be taken in such a manner as to bring into action all the muscles of the body in a natural way. Walking is one such exercise. It is, however, so Gentle in character that one must walk several kilometers in a brisk manner to constitute a fair amount of exercise. Yogic asanas such as vakrasana, bhujangasana, shalabhasana, halasana, paschimottanasana, sarvangasana and shavasana and pranayamas like kapalbhati, anuloma-viloma and bhastrika are highly beneficial in the treatment of depression. Relaxation and Meditation: The patient must gain control over his nervous system and chanelize his mental and emotional activities into restful harmonious vibrations. This can be achieved by ensuring sufficient rest and sleep under right conditions. He must also learn the art of scientific relaxation and meditation which will go a long way in curing depression. Relaxation enables the muscles to work more efficiently and eliminates fatigue by promoting venous blood circulation throughout the body. The best method of relaxation is to practice shavasana or the ‘dead pose.’ The procedure for this asana has been outlined in chapter 7 on yoga therapy. Meditation involves training the mind to remain fixed on a certain external or internal location. All the mental faculties should be directed, without cessation, towards the object of meditation. It can be achieved by constant practice. It will be advisable to meditate on God or Atman as one becomes imbued with the quality of the object on which one meditates. Meditation will help create an amount of balance in the nervous system. This would enable the glands to return to a correct state of hormonal balance and thereby overcome the feeling of depression. Regularity of time, place and practice are very important in meditation. Regularity conditions the mind to slowing down its activities with a minimum delay. The most effective times are early dawn and dusk, when the atmosphere is serene and peaceful. A neutral immersion bath for one hour daily is also helpful in the treatment of depression. This bath is administered in a bathtub which should be properly fitted with hot and cold water connections. The patient should lie in the tub after filling it with water at a temperature ranging from 92 o to 98 o F. The head should be kept cold with a cold compress. Good Luck Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Triskelion	This sounds strange but i had depression (was taking welbutrin XL) and then stopped after awhile. I still get my bouts with depression and as strange as this sounds one time i injured myself and took a tablet of Alleve and felt not only better but happier. I dont undrestand it. Yes its another pill but i dont get it...so when this happens to me i take an Alleve. But just one! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

v16	fun and frolicks Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

tcmrose l	Chinese medicine http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/pdf/01012007.pdf Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

hendley78	There are two studies that major drug companies to tried keep secret for obvious reasons. The reports findings indicated that a regular exercise regimen was superior in treating depression than all medications currently prescribed. However, the better plan than deciding exercise or medication is to include exercise in any program for treating depression. But for some there may be no cure for depression but ongoing treatment for its effects. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

angiem	do u no what started off your depression,,, try to do plenty of exercise a good walk in the fresh air, it will help u to sleep, keep off coffee if your really feeling unhappy all of the time go and have a word with the doctor there is lots of things you could try,, good luck,, .. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Jumping_bean	Exercise, sun (not too much), deep breathing and stretching (I like yoga because it takes care of some exercise and the stretching all at once). Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Belle	Yes, there is! For years I suffered with depression until I discovered the Bach Flower remedies. There are 38 remedies and I am now a practitioner. They really do work. They are safe, non-addictive and absolutely effective in helping you to look at your life in a different way and helping you to change any negative feelings, feelings of worthlessness, tiredness, lack of motivitation, exhaustion, and the occasional suicidal thoughts. They help with any emotion from anger and frustration through to anxiety, fear, deep depression, and they are completely safe. You can buy books that will help you to help yourself, if you would find a consultation with a Bach Flower Therapist too expensive and you can buy the flower remedies from most health food/complementary shops. Two excellent books that I found so useful when I was studying are: ' Bach Flower Therapy' (The Complete Approach) by Mechthild Scheffer - Published by Thorsons - ISBN: 0-7225-2232-3, costs £11.99 (UK); and 'Bach Flower Remedies' (a book full of pictures and very easy to follow) by Jeremy Harwood and published by DK Natural Health, ISBN: 0-7894-6774-7 (Website - www.dk.com). All you do with the remedies, is decide through studying which to use; also use your intuition, which is almost always correct. You put 2 drops of each remedy in a small bottle (pharmacists supply 30 ml dropper bottles), top up with spring water, and if you are going to be carrying the bottle around with you, add two drops of brandy as a preservative. Put 4 drops on your tongue every time you think to throughout each day - give it a few days and you should be feeling different about things. You may then need to change, add or no longer have one or more of the remedies. Best thing to do is have a consultation with a qualified practitioner. Put into your search engine Bach Flower Therapists, and then the area in which you live. You will get through this, please believe me. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

music	get tested for vitamin defeciencies! primarily B vitamins, deficiencies are common and cause depression and many mental illnesses. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Summer hiker	Eating healthy and exercise are great for helping depression, but the best thing that helped me is practicing yoga. Yoga helps to calm and balance the mind. I also did some cognitive behavioral therapy that helped. You might also try reading a book called "Feeling Good". It was recommended to me by my therapist, and it helped! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

Mel K	there are many prescription pills on the market, some of which are completely natural. but one that worked for me is laughter therapy. it sounds stupid, but it works so well. I don't know if there is anything like this in the UK but I was part of a laughter therapy group whilst in India. it is simply a group of people of all ages laughing really loudly for half an hour in the middle of a park. again, it sounds ridiculous, but you'd be amazed how good it is. at first you fake the laughter, just to try and get into it. but eventually, you're actually laughing. and it's an amazing feeling. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

garhdhnfnfnf	Yoga is brilliant or search for a hobbie you always wanted to do, and go and do it now, spring is a fab time for new beginnings and depression will lift without medication if you find something to make you happy. Look up the Internet for foods that cause depression and stay away from them, and keep everything in the day, if you learn to take one day at a time, it works wonders, good luck. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

charlotte s	Yes, I too have heard of laughter therapy, though I've never tried it myself. If you dont want to go down the prescription medicine route then St Johns Wort and Kalms herbal tablets are great for lifting your moods and relieving irritability. You could also consider having life coaching/ hypnotherapy to help get to the root of the problem or try therapies such as reiki or accupuncture. How is your diet? it is well known that a good balanced diet with plenty of water and exercise can help symptoms of depression. Reducing coffee/ tea/ other stimulants will also be beneficial for you. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

TXML	SAMe is a herbal supplement. Exercise and massage are supposed to help too. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

albob3000	You probably don't want to hear this, but I've had years of severe depression and I receive disability for being bipolar. You know what helped most? Therapy with someone you can really connect with. Also cognitve behavioral groups and DBT classes (types of psych. thought). I'm resistant to antidepressants. They don't help. But changing my way of thinking and thinking more positively toward myself and my chances in life has done wonders (and I never used to believe that stuff). Finally, exercise does create endorphins and Dopamine, chemicals similar to heroin that make you feel good naturally. That's what a runner's high is. But as far as nature, try sunlight instead of St. John's Wort. Seasonal Affective Disorder from lack of sunlight is a bigtime depressant. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

thunder92	Sweetheart I suffered for a while years ago. I'd say learn to love yourself now. Live in the moment and accept and be happy where you are first of all. Exercise, lots of sunshine, good friends or church. Also a healthy diet. But no-one is happy when they rely on others for their happiness. Sometimes you get so low you finally realize you need God. Once you have him your life will never be the same. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

harley	NOT COFFEE!! coming down off the caffeine will make the symptoms worse!! for mild depression, you can take Evening Primrose Oil or st. johns wort ( at health food stores). if you don' t want to take medications, you can try several things. one is to watch your diet. eat healthy!! exercises is good because it gets you outside. the sun on your skin produces "feel happy" chemicals in your body. keep yourself busy (but not overwhelmed). if the depression continues for more than a couple weeks, or is not related to a traumatic event in your life, you will probably need prescription drugs. there is no reason to be ashamed about battling depression. it is a real disease that may need to be treated (just like diabetes). don't try to handle this alone. you need support to get through this. you can email me at purrdyw@hotmail.com if you want to talk some more. lots of hugs!! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

shawna	Someone answered coffee. While that may give you more energy, it can also heighten anxiety. So, be careful with caffeine intake. It may actually cause problems if you are anxious. For a lot of people depression and anxiety go hand in hand. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

l0u1se_f0ley	Music Talking if you feel like it. Alternatively go to Holland and Barrett ( 3 for 2 offers on ALL products at the mo ) and buy St John's Wort, it really does work ! Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

surelynotme	Yes, and you are right to look for a non-drug cure because drugs have side effects and really mask things more than curing them. The cure for depression is to understand a couple things. One is that you can only live now, in this present moment, right this second. At any point in time, now is the only point in time that you can live. You can't live in the past or the future. So now, at this moment, you CAN choose to be happy. Depression isn't something that happens to you from outside. It is a long series of choices that the depressed person makes to think a lot about the past and the future and to choose to be unhappy in the present. Suppose something wonderful happened to you right now. Then in this instant, you could choose to be happy about it. So that proves that you do have the ability to be happy now if you want to. And you can also do it in the next moment, and the one after that. And the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Another way to look at it is to ask yourself, "When am I depressed?" You can't be depressed in the past because the past is just a memory. You can't be depressed in the future because it doesn't even exist yet. You can only be depressed in this instant. But in this instant, you can smile. Your actions and choices can soon rewrite your thoughts and feelings so that you feel spontaneously happy. Depression is just something in the mind. So think about other things and remember to be happy. Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No

daniel d	I heard a great natural cure for depression is exercise. Exercise releases endorphins(naturally released chemicals that affect your sensory perceptions). Was this answer helpful to you? Yes / No