Question:
Does anyone know of an herbal treatment for depression?
Answer:
A loaded question.
I looked this up in some medicinal herbs texts and found that there are
different herbs for different forms of depression. These are the basic
divisions I found: Stress, hypertension, PMS. One text included a
non-descript form of depression where nutmeg was used (clinically) in order
to induce the patient to "talk about it"- a marijuana substitute, but by no
means was a treatment. A few of the herbs and vitamins all "treatments"
had in common was Siberian Ginseng (which is used for GENERAL health and
well-being anyway), Echinacea, Gotu Kola, Iron (for depression due to
stress- People often don't eat the right foods during stress-related
depression and can become anemic. Lack of energy due to physical causes
results which is then compounded on the general bummed-out feeling that
goes along with depression), etc. As the list goes on, the homeopathic
aids become more specific to the types of stress. The whole mental
depression thing is a VERY individualized thing- ENTIRELY...From causative
agents of the condition all the way to reactions and responses to
remedies...even the professional psychs. are in constant debate,
introducing the argument of upbringing, etc., and have had very little
success with remedies because of the condition being SOOO intimately tied to
the individual. I've had fantastic success with a combination of L-Tyrosine, GTF
Chromium, and lots of Spirulina. It also helps to exercise alot. (Come to think of it, I don't suppose Chromium-being a mineral, and
L-Tyrosine-an amino acid, quite fall into the category of 'herbal'. Oh
well. This isn't exactly herbal, but when I quit eating products made with
sugar, my whole personality changed. I became more optimistic, less er,
negative or overly anal about things. Of course, I'd done a lot of
reading about psychology too, so everything sort of meshed together for me!
But now, If I eat sugar, I can sort of see that old other person rise up
inside of me and start whining. I read "Listening to Prozac" and I'm
convinced that the same effects could probably be safely replicated
through some sort of herbal/nutritional management. B vitamins tend to
cheer me up too. Would you please post about the aides related to differing stressors?
This is really quite interesting! Now that I think about it, I suppose
different mental stressors would actually have varied physical effects.
I'd really appreciate any info or pointers!
Will do. Give me some time, and I'll let you know...will be going out of
town for a week, so be patient...But off the top of my head, I can tell you
that hypertension is "relieved" (NOTE: I am using quotes because stress and
depression are really, as I stated before, very individual. A catch all
remedy is non-existant...) by: Valerian...PMS by herbs that are
dihurretics (sp?) such as Chickweed and Fennel Seed (for bloating) as well
as the "feel-good" herbs such as Echinacea, Ginsing, Damiana, Gotu Kola. I
will get more details shortly. One thing that I forgot to mention is
EXERCISE!!! This is good in the case of hypertension and almost all
stresses. There are quite a few texts that mention stress-related
depression but list it under mental disorders...I think that the authors
also don't feel like there is a general thing for depression. Hope this
helps...Will be posting the rest later. I've been gone from this group for a month now, so please forgive me
if I repeat something that's been posted. But I was just treated
with herbs for depression, and I thought I might be able to contribute
some information. My doctor, who is Chinese and uses Chinese herbalism, said that many
time depression is from low energy (as stated above). What can happen
is that due to extreme mental, emotional, and physical stress over an
extended period of time, the adrenals will shut down - can't take
no mo'. It's not funny, though. Hormone production is low or nil -
no adrenaline, no cortisone, no estrogen, no progesterone, etc. You
can probably fill in the rest of the picture. So, what he used for
me was a mixture of 35% Chinese ginseng, 35% American ginseng, 20%
bee pollen, and 10% deer antler. (Sorry, guys). Anyway, you can do
the same, just forget the deer antler. You can make it up yourselves
or buy the caps separately. If you buy ginseng root, he said to be
sure that it is white inside (or pale). If it's dark inside, it's
old/tainted. Use a coffee grinder to powder it.
Anyway, you take 3 caps 2x/day, 15 minutes after meals. It is very
potent. Two weeks worth should do it in terms if kicking ass, so
to speak. Dr. Li says that a person needs some quick, effective
measures when they are in this condition. After the ginseng,
you can begin to take other herbs to stimulate the adrenals and the
thyroid, calm the nerves, strengthen the nervous system, etc.
BTW - hypoglycemia can result from depression, also. The adrenals
regulate this. Frankly, I found this to be just too amazing. Also,
rest. Relax. Do nothing, if you want. Let the herbs work. Eat.
Sleep. There are some great herbs for anxiety, which often go hand
in hand with depression.
