| Fight Depression With Herbs |
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| James Penn | |||
| Wednesday, 06 May 2009 | |||
  In the fast-paced society that we live in today, it is very common for people to get the blues from time to time. It may be due to the pressures of work, running a growing household, or the common financial pressures that abound. Most people however, are able to overcome the blues with little or no help. In this case it is a very short-lived state of being "down in the dumps." However, if your depressive state is rarely changeable, you may have a serious disorder. If you suffer from on-going depression, you should seek your doctor for treatment. However, in the meantime there are many herbs that have been proven to help you feel alive again. Let's take a look.First and foremost, let's take a look at a possible root cause. One of the most common causes of depression is low levels of the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is a raw material that produces the neurotransmitter chemical serotonin. Without going into much biochemistry, higher tryptophan levels can be reached by simply eating a higher carbohydrate diet. Studies have actually shown that after a person with mild clinical depression ingested a few high-carbohydrate foods, their mood was significantly changed. Other foods high in tryptophan amino acids are sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Besides a change in your overall diet, you can also incorporate many herbs into your day. Some of these herbs can be put directly into your foods; others should be taken in pill form.
Aside from the well-documented treatments above, there are many simple herbs that you should certainly try. Herbs such as caraway, celery, coriander, dill, fennel and nutmeg are all natural MAO inhibitors. Ginger is another herb that has a long folk history is treating anxiety and depression. Rosemary essential oil is normally the number one used essential oil by aromatherapists for treating depression. Rosemary contains the compound cineole, which is known to stimulate the nervous system. Furthermore, who wouldn't like a nice relaxing massage? It is also a good idea to incorporate as many vitamin B rich foods into your diet as you can. Vitamin B vitamins folate and vitamins B6 and B12 are essential at keeping neurotransmitter levels high, and neurotransmitters, the chemicals that allow nerve cells to communicate correctly, play a big role in depression. Foods rich in these chemicals are beans, asparagus, spinach, broccoli, okra, bananas, onions, squash, kale, sunflower seeds, watercress, soybeans and brussel sprouts. Herbs have played a role in achieving strong mental health for centuries. Why not see if herbal remedies will work for you too.
Disclaimer: Harmonious Living is written for and read by a community of individuals with strong and independent opinions. While the publishers of Harmonious Living are dedicated to providing a forum in which views can be openly expressed, those views do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.
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