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Natural remedies for depression

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on

Depression is a psychiatric condition characterized by deep and prolonged sadness to which other symptoms such as apathy, low self-esteem and difficulty relating to others are added. It is not an occasional emotional downturn, although we often refer to this situation as “being depressed”, it is important to be clear that depression is a clinical condition that requires medical attention and specialized guidance. In addition, the patient’s desire to recover and improve their quality of life is essential for overcoming this condition, so some natural solutions can help to achieve this. At FastlyHealwe offer you some natural remedies for depression that will help you improve and recover as soon as possible.

Why am I depressed?

Depression is a multifactorial condition that can have various causes, so it is essential to determine the origin of this pathology in order to treat it effectively.

Some of the causes of depression are:

Biochemical alterations

Brain chemistry can play a role in severe depression. This type of patient has high levels of the hormone cortisol, known as the stress hormone, while presenting an imbalance in certain neurotransmitters such as serotonin, responsible, among other things, for promoting a good mood. It is believed that these alterations can be of genetic origin but also be produced by the intake of certain drugs or medications, by traumatic episodes, physical illnesses or environmental conditions.

Hereditary depression

Those with direct relatives who suffer from clinical depression are at higher risk of suffering from this condition. In addition, growing up in an environment in which one or both parents are negative, have a tendency to sadness or self-esteem problems could promote the presence of this condition.

Personal conditions

Those people who are in a very stressful environment, who have lost a loved one, their job or who are facing an important emotional situation, can also develop this condition.

Sadness-prone personalities

If you have a negative character, low self-esteem, difficulty coping with problems or a personality prone to sadness, stress and frustration, depression is much more likely to develop in the future.

Depression requires professional care

Due to the large number of factors that can lead to depression, and the emotional effects that this condition causes, most of the cases require specialized medical attention . People who suffer from depression often also manifest other symptoms such as anxiety, negative thoughts, slow behavior and reactions, as well as other types of discomforts such as fatigue, sleep or appetite disorders and general apathy.

In some cases, this situation is transitory and is due, for example, to a significant grief or loss, however, as the weeks go by, the patient recovers until he returns to his usual life. The same happens when there are important changes in our life that generate sadness, which can last for days or weeks, but that we will end up overcoming until we lead our life as usual.

When the symptoms appear in episodes that last for months and even years , then depression is spoken of and the need to consult a specialist is established. If you have previously been diagnosed with this pathology then it is recommended to visit a psychiatrist, while if you have never received a diagnosis it may be appropriate to initially go to the psychologist. In the event that there are other mental disorders such as bipolarity or schizophrenia, it will be necessary to go to a psychiatrist.

How do natural remedies help?

There are plants or natural substances that favor the production of serotonin, reduce the presence of cortisol in the body or provide a slight sedative effect that reduces anxiety levels and improves the general mood of patients with mild to moderate depression. These types of ingredients can contribute to the treatment of this condition, helping the patient to recover faster.

This, added to our personal desire to overcome this condition by doing activities that keep us entertained and make us feel productive, such as physical exercise, practicing a hobby or contact with friends and family, can contribute to leaving this complex picture behind.

St. John’s wort to treat depression

The St. John ‘s wort is one of the natural remedies to treat depression more employees, it has a sedative effect on the nervous system by reducing anxiety and stress, promoting good rest, helping to improve mood and promoting recovery mild depression.

Because there is scientific evidence that supports the favorable effect of this plant on patients with mild and moderate depression, St. John’s wort in supplements or capsules is an option often indicated to try to combat this condition in an initial phase. The most common way to take it is in capsules, usually taking 300 mg of the product 3 times a day.

It should not be taken if medication for depression is consumed, as it could interfere with its effects, nor is it recommended in cases of major depression. It should be taken under medical supervision.

Valerian to reduce stress and insomnia

Valerian is one of the most used medicinal plants to treat sleep disorders, reduce anxiety, reduce stress and tension, and promote emotional well-being. It helps reduce many of the symptoms of depression, effectively calming the sufferer.

In our article, benefits of valerian for health, we explain in detail its properties and contraindications.

Passionflower for better sleep

Among the natural remedies for depression, passionflower becomes an adjuvant similar to valerian, helping to reduce sleep disorders, anxiety and tension in patients suffering from this condition, which can improve the general condition of the themselves.

The most common way to consume this plant is in capsules, taking 90 mg a day, although it can also be ingested as an extract. In this case, it is recommended to consume between 45 and 60 drops daily in the same dose. It is important not to exceed that dose, not to administer this plant to children under 3 years of age and to regulate the amounts for children under 12 years of age.

Dark chocolate to improve our mood

Without the need to resort to any medicinal plant, dark chocolate of 70% cocoa or more is one of the best allies to fight depression naturally. This is due to its high content of antioxidants that favor the production of important neurotransmitters such as serotonin or endorphins, both responsible for promoting good mood and mental well-being.

It is important to bear in mind that these effects are only valid when the chocolate is dark, because when milk is added, its properties are largely lost. It is recommended to ingest it in moderation.

Sunlight, the best remedy to cheer us up

The seasonal depression is a condition that occurs in some patients who develop a mild or moderate depressive symptoms during the winter months. For this reason, and due to its important role in the production of vitamin D , the sun is considered one of the best allies to help improve mood, promote general well-being and combat depression.

20 minutes of sun a day or walks in the open air in which we receive the sun, can help to overcome this condition.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Natural remedies for depression , we recommend that you enter our category of Mental disorders .

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