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Natural Therapy for Depression

Depression is a common illness that affects people in various ways. One person may feel irritable, while another may have trouble sleeping. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, serious depression is disabling and prevents a person from functioning normally. The one thing that holds true for everyone, however, is that depression is treatable. There are many natural ways to treat depression.

  1. Aromatherapy

    • Aromatherapy can provide a calming effect on the senses and treat mild forms of depression. This treatment involves using the essential oils of certain plants, including basil, lemon, jasmine, lavender, rose, sandalwood and orange. The best way to use these oils is to place a few drops into a bowl of steaming water and inhale. The oils can be placed into bath water as well.

    Acupressure

    • Acupressure uses the same pressure points as acupuncture. Some commonly treated pressure points include the area 4 inches below the kneecap and in the hollow at the base of the neck, at the back of the head. The best way to apply acupressure is to choose a couple of the pressure points on your body and apply pressure when you feel signs of depression or stress.

    Diet Therapy

    • Vitamin deficiencies can trigger depression. Make sure you get all of your B vitamins, which affect mood and emotional stability. Add a good multivitamin to your daily diet, and avoid products such as coffee, sugar, alcohol and dairy products, which can also aggravate depression.

    Homeopathy

    • Homeopathy is a holistic treatment in which plant extracts are used, usually in pill form or made into teas, to treat many symptoms of depression. Each homeopathic treatment adresses a specific symptom. For example, sepia is used for those who worry about responsibility, while aurum addresses feelings of self-worth and ignatia treats grief. A normal dose is one ingestion three times per day.

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