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Ayurveda Treatment for Bipolar Depression

Bipolar disorder, another name for manic-depressive illness, causes people to suffer disturbing mood swings. Vacillating between hyper behavior and depression, manic-depressive episodes cause some people to act recklessly or even attempt suicide. Doctors prescribe Lithium, Paxil and other mood-altering drugs as conventional treatment for bipolar disorder and its depressive symptoms. However, Ayurveda, an alternative medicine derived from traditional medicine used in India, may help regulate bipolar depression in many patients.

  1. Using Ayurvedic Massage and Aromatic OIls to Treat Depression

    • Ayurvedic methods focus on the use of herbs, massage and breathing exercises to achieve mental and physical balance. Ayurvedic massages and oils are especially calming and helpful for relieving bipolar depression. A treatment known as Shirodhara calms the body by rubbing sesame oil, buttermilk or coconut water on the forehead to still nerves in the head and improve circulation. Abhyanga, or the application of aromatic massage oil to the body, produces a serene feeling that lifts the spirit. Since Ayurveda champions natural solutions to depression, listening to soothing and uplifting music, meditation and spending time outdoors in the sunlight are also indicated.

    Ayurveda, Herbs and Bipolar Depression

    • Musta (Cyperus rotundus) is used in small amounts on a recurring basis to control the lethargy and depression caused by bipolar disease. Like most herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine, it can be crushed into a powder and mixed with water or other liquids as a drink, brewed as a tea or taken as a supplement in capsule form. Other herbs recommended for long-term use include Vacha Rasayana, which is available as a dietary supplement from many on-line holistic stores, and Tinospora cordifolia, used to combat debility of the mind and body and prevent infections.

    Balanced Living Through Ayurveda

    • Treating bipolar depression with Ayurvedic medicine entails daily equilibrium of the three doshas---vata, pitta and kapha. The doshas are the body's three energy systems. Vata (air), Pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm) should be kept in proper balance. This state is achieved through a proper diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, honey, milk and dried fruit. Avoid chocolate, sugar, meat and spicy or fried foods to help balance the doshas and improve the mental and emotional state. Deep breathing (breath rising from the abdomen to the lungs) and yoga postures to calm the body are essential regardless of the individual's state of mind. People who suffer from bipolar depression can benefit from these calming and balancing asanas (exercises).

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