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Top 11 natural treatments and home remedies for treating depression

One of the most emotional disorders which are affecting more than 19 million Americans every year is the depression [1]. This is a mood state which goes far beyond temporarily feeling low or sad. It tends to affect one’s mood, behavior, feelings, thoughts and physical health. Disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, mental trauma, disinterest in everything, low energy, deep sense of loss, feelings of dejection and sadness are the most common symptoms of this condition. These symptoms can affect your everyday life and they can be very distressing for you. Also there are some studies in which is shown that there are some people who suffer from depression because they have a genetic predisposition to this condition. Deficiencies of Omega – 3 fatty acids and Vitamin B complex as well as drug addiction, mental stress, tension and anxiety. Women are having 70% chances to get depression compared to men [2]. This is a serious problem and if you let it untreated, then it can be debilitating. There are many medications and therapies which you can use for the depression. Also you can try some home remedies which can help you to lift your mood and they will restore your excitements for life.

Here are some home remedies for depression:

Fish oil: There are some studies which are done with people who suffer from depression and in these studies it was shown that those people have a low intake of Omega – 3 fatty acids [3,4]. Fish oil is rich with them. Omega – 3 fatty acids are recommended for people with depression because it can help them to have normal brain functioning. You should take a daily fish oil or supplement because it can help you to fight against this condition. You can find fish oil supplements in grocery stores, drug stores, health food stores and online. You should talk with your doctor for the proper dosage. Also you can eat cold water fish such as anchovies, sardines and salmon which are rich in Omega – 3 fatty acids. Soy products and flaxseeds are also a very good source of Omega – 3 fatty acids.

Asparagus: This home remedy has some powerful components which can fight against the symptoms of depression and they can help you to lift your spirit. It has Vitamin E which can put you in a good mood and also it is rich in a folate which can improve the functioning of your brain. Asparagus has tryptophan which produces serotonin in your brain which stabilizes the mood. [5]

Cashews: Cashews are rich in Vitamin C which can stimulate your nervous system. This natural cure has riboflavin which can boost your energy so you can be joyful and active. Cashews also have other useful nutrients which can help you in the fight against depression such as Vitamin B6, tryptophan and magnesium. In one cup of warm milk you should add one teaspoon of cashew nut. You should drink this natural cure once per day. Also you can eat a handful of dry roasted cashews because it is a healthy snack and it can lift your mood. [6,7]

Almonds: Almonds are very effective natural cures for fighting against the depression because they are rich with magnesium. This element influences production of serotonin which is a “feel – good” brain chemical. Magnesium can also affect your overall energy production. If you have low levels of magnesium in your body, then this can lead to depression and other mood disorders. There was one study in which was shown that the magnesium deficiency is the biggest cause for depression and other mental health problems. If you eat foods that are rich with magnesium, then they can help you to fight against depression and its symptoms. Almonds are also rich in selenium which can help you to decrease depressive symptoms. This element plays a big role in producing thyroid hormones which can combat decreased thyroid functioning which is associated with the depressive symptoms. Almonds are also a good source of zinc which is a mineral that can protect the brain cells from the damage of the free radicals. Also this element can boost the neurotransmitter production and functioning. You should eat about 23 almonds per day and you will notice positive changes in your mood. Almonds are a healthy snack and you can mix them with your low – fat yogurt or some fruit. [8]

Saffron: Saffron is rich in Vitamin B and carotenoids which can help you to increase the levels of serotonin and other chemicals in your brain. There was some study in which was shown that the saffron is effective as Prozac (fluoxetine) in reducing mild to moderate depression [9]. You should take 15 mg of dried extract of saffron two times per day because in this way you can fight against depression. Also you can use a small amount of saffron in your milk shakes, cooking or smoothies.

Nutmeg: This home remedy works as brain tonic and it can stimulate your brain, improve your mood and eliminate stress and fatigue. You should mix one tablespoon of Indian gooseberry juice with 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg powder. You should drink this natural cure two times per day until you calm your mind and get a relief from the depression. You should not take nutmeg in large doses because it has psychoactive effects. [10]

Eggs: This popular breakfast has proteins and other nutrients which are effective natural treatment for the fight against the depression. They are also rich in zinc which is an essential micronutrient that your body needs to boost the neurotransmitter production and functioning. You should eat foods that are rich in zinc such as eggs because you can fight against zinc deficiency and also against depression and other disorders. Eggs are also rich in Vitamin D. When we have Vitamin D deficiency in our bodies, then this can lead to depression and other mental health problems. This is a reason why you should eat this home remedy if you want to prevent or treat the depression. Eggs are also rich in Vitamin B12 which can help you to form the red blood cells and also it will help you to maintain a healthy nervous system. You can eat scrambled eggs, omelets, hard – boiled eggs and so on. [11]

Cardamom: This is a home remedy that can detoxify your body and also it can rejuvenate your cells. This will help you to improve your mood and also it will treat the depression [12]. In one cup of warm milk or water you should add ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder. You should drink this natural cure once per day. Also you can add a few drops of cardamom oil to your bath water. You should soak your body in this water for 30 minutes every day.

John’s Wort: This natural cure is one of the most effective herbal treatments for mild to moderate depression. It has hyperforin and hypericin which are chemical constituents that work as antidepressant and also they are blocking the re – uptake of serotonin and serotonin receptors. You should put one or two tablespoons of dried St. John’s Wort in one cup of hot water. You should let this remedy to steep for ten minutes. You should strain it. Then, you should drink this natural cure two times per day. You should follow this home remedy regularly because in this way you will lift your mood. Also you can take 300 milligrams of St. John’s Wort supplement 3 times per day. But you need to talk with your doctor before you add this home remedy in your diet. [13]

Natural cures for depression

Bananas: When you feel depressed or low, then you should eat one or two bananas. They are rich in tryptophan which is known that it can raise the levels of serotonin in your diet. This is one mood – boosting component which is found in the bananas. Also it aids in producing tyrosine which is the building block for dopamine and norepinepharine which are two important neurotransmitters that can influence your mood. Bananas are rich in Vitamin B6 which our bodies need to manufacture serotonin from tryptophan. Bananas are also rich in a folate (Vitamin B9), niacin (Vitamin B3), riboflavin (Vitamin B2) and thiamin (Vitamin B1). One of the most common symptoms of depression is the insomnia. You can treat this symptom if you consume banana because it has tryptophan which can help you to asleep more easily. You should eat a banana and then you should drink one glass of warm milk shortly before you go to the bed because you will get better sleep. [14]

Apples: Apples are rich in phosphorous, potassium and Vitamin B. These nutrients can help your brain repair damage nerve cells to improve their functioning which can help you to fight against the symptoms of depression. You should chop one apple and then you should put it in a juicer or blender to extracts its juice. In one cup of warm milk you should add one tablespoon of honey and the apple juice. You should drink this remedy two times per day. Also you can eat one apple per day because this will help you to prevent the depression. [15]

Above are some of the best methods to overcome depression.

References:

[1] Mental Health America. Depression in older adults: more facts. Retrieved from www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/depression-older-adults-more-facts.

[2] Healy M. Study shows men just as likely to be depressed as women. Los Angeles Times. 2013. Retrieved from www.latimes.com/science/la-xpm-2013-aug-28-la-sci-depression-men-20130829-story.html.

[3] Grosso G, Galvano F, Marventano S, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids and depression: Scientific evidence and biological mechanisms. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2014;2014:313570.

[4] Wani AL, Bhat SA, Ara A. Omega-3 fatty acids and the treatment of depression: a review of scientific evidence. Integrative Medicine Research. 2015;4(3):132-141.

[5] Dhingra D, Kumar V. Pharmacological evaluation for antidepressant-like activity of Asparagus racemosus Willd. in mice. Pharmacologyonline. 2007;3:133-152.

[6] Pribis P. Effects of walnut consumption on mood in young adults—A randomized controlled trial. Nutrients. 2016;8(11):668.

[7] Arab L, Guo R, Elashoff D. Lower depression scores among walnut consumers
in NHANES. Nutrients. 2019;11:275.

[8] University of Florida. Almond joy: Eating just a handful a day boosts diet health, study shows. Science Daily. 2016. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160222220821.htm.

[9] Rossi A, Barraco A, Donda P. Fluoxetine: a review on evidence based medicine. Annals of General Hospital Psychiatry. 2004;3:2.

[10] El-Alfy AT, Joseph S, Brahmbhatt A, et al. Indirect modulation of the endocannabinoid system by specific fractions of nutmeg total extract. Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology. 2016;54(12):2933-38.

[11] LaChance LR, Ramsey D. Antidepressant foods: An evidence-based nutrient profiling system for depression. World Journal of Psychiatry. 2018;8(3):97-104.

[12] Abu-Taweel GM. Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) perinatal exposure effects on the development, behavior and biochemical parameters in mice offspring. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 2018;25(1):186-93.

[13] Linde K, Berner MM, Kriston L. St. John’s wort for depression. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2008;(4):CD000448.

[14] Samad N, Muneer A, Ullah N, et al. Banana fruit pulp and peel involved in antianxiety and antidepressant effects while invigorate memory performance in male mice: Possible role of potential antioxidants. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2017;30(Suppl3):989-95.

[15] University of Otago. Many apples a day keep the blues at bay. 2013. Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130123195351.htm.

Hanan Marshal
Hanan Marshal
Hanan, a medical student (MBBS) having passion for writing and is very much interested in holistic living along with nature. He is very much interested in doing community service and watches anime and play PS4 during his free time. You can reach him through [email protected]

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