Signs & Natural Treatments for Depression

Depression strikes everyone from time to time. A crisis, loss and/or stress all are factors that can cause depression. However, clinical depression is a major illness. Those who are clinically depressed are told to seek counseling or psychiatric help as soon as possible. With so many side effects of antidepressants, many people are seeking more natural ways of curing depression. While conventional medicine has yet to catch up with this concept, many people are curing themselves of depression without the assistance of medication.

Herbal Therapy

• Plants have always been our healers when dealing with any type of required healing. We all know that many plants carry chemicals that can cause happiness, sadness and death. Fortunately, there are plants--more specifically, herbs--that can cure the mind of depression. The Chinese and other ancient beliefs about depression thought depression was due to a blockage or issue with the spleen. Herbs that decrease the production of "black bile" was necessary based upon older Galenic medicine. Herbs that aided with this are St.-John's-wort and lemon balm. Make sure to seek the guidance of a health care practitioner who can assist you in proper dosages of these herbs. St.-John's-wort, known as a traditional wound healer, also has been used as an antidepressant. It has been used for women having postmenstrual pains or emotional upsets from menopause. The typical dose of this herb is two to four grams. Alternative healers do not suggest taking St.-John's-wort with prescribed medications. Lemon balm is a gentle, calming herb that also has many uses. It is OK to add both lemon balm and St.-John's-wort to your treatment at the same time. Both herbs can be found in your local health food store in capsules.

Emotional Therapy

• Many cures for depression do not require anything to be taken in the body. Alternative therapists have suggested keeping a mood diary. Writing your thoughts down allow you to release the emotions. Meditation and prayer have been scientifically proven to decrease depression. Taking a few minutes each day to meditate and pray places the body in a calm state, dissipating depression. Sometimes having a listening ear to talk to is all we need to feel better and to start the healing process. Finally, undergoing a good detoxification program would be a good idea. Since it has been proven that certain chemicals in the brain can cause depression, taking the time to clean the body may be beneficial for someone suffering from depression.