Treatment of depression with folk remedies: herbal recipes

People who are depressed are not always interested in using different classic medications (antidepressants, nootropics, tranquilizers), since those have a vast amount of side effects, and the cost of most of them is not at all budgetary.

But, if the depression is moderately expressed, it can be alleviated or cured completely independently by folk remedies. About the treatment of depression herbs will be discussed in the article.

How to get rid of the disease at home?

ethnoscience - the direction is rather doubtful, because it includes a huge mass of recipes that are ineffective or dangerous, even to the proposals to treat gangrene with chewed crumb or urine.

But with a reasonable approach, some recipes that can be attributed to traditional medicine, can significantly alleviate the patient's condition.

but self-medication is unacceptable, because with the wrong treatment, the disease can be started, which is fraught with serious consequences. This also applies to depression, which, like somatic diseases, can gradually progress in the absence of correct treatment.

Before using any folk remedy, you should consult with your doctor. Without medical supervision, the methods of traditional medicine should not be applied.

Danger folk methods:

Allergic reactions. Upon contact with one of the components of the product, an allergic reaction may occur (this risk is higher than in the case of using certified products). It can be both moderate and severe, even anaphylaxis and death. If after using the drug there is a marked deterioration of health (asphyxiation, shortness of breath, tachycardia, swelling of the face and mucous membranes, dizziness), you should call an ambulance.
The presence of possible risks to health or even life. Some folk remedies can cause serious harm, especially if used improperly (chemical burns, disruption of the internal organs). Also, the components of any means can aggravate the course of a chronic disease.
Side effects. Most folk remedies have side effects that can also adversely affect the patient's well-being. For example, St. John's wort is able to increase anxiety, so its use is not always advisable for anxious depression.

It is also important to understand that the drug (both popular and certified) only eliminates the symptoms depressed, not cured. To cure depression, it is necessary to solve the problems that caused it. A qualified psychotherapist can help with this.

What types of diseases can be treated at home?

The following types of depression can be treated with folk remedies:

Minor depression. If a person has more than two weeks there is a depressed mood, fatigue, deterioration in the ability to enjoy something, but the general set of symptoms and their severity do not meet the criteria for major depressive disorder, a diagnosis of minor depression or subclinical depression is made.
Neurotic. Neurotic depression or otherwise depressive neurosis is a combination of depression and neurosis, in which the symptoms of depression are milder: the person still retains hope for a brighter future.
Postpartum. May be observed after childbirth. If a woman does not breastfeed a baby, the use of most folk remedies is permissible.
Seasonal. This is a mild or moderate depression, in most cases triggered by a lack of sunlight and vitamins.

Folk remedies can be useful only in cases where the depressed state is mild or moderate.

It is unacceptable to use folk remediesif the patient has:

clinical (major) depression or bipolar depression has been identified;
there is severe anxiety;
there were attempts to commit suicide;
a strong reluctance to live, suicidal tendencies are present;
depression is severe.

In severe forms of depression, urgent, qualified care is needed, including the use of certified antidepressants, selected in accordance with the patient's condition.

Phytotherapy

Herbal medicine - a direction in medicine based on application of medicinal plants. Most people attribute phytotherapy to folk remedies, but evidence-based medicine has long been using the most effective methods in this area.

Herbs effective in treating depression:

Hypericum The efficacy of Hypericum in the treatment of depressions is confirmed by numerous clinical studies: this plant is not as effective as traditional antidepressants and is useless only for severe forms of the disease.
Rhodiola rosea Favorably affects cognitive abilities, reduces the severity of fatigue, increases efficiency.
Ginseng root. It improves appetite, increases efficiency, has a general stimulating effect on the nervous system. However, it should not be used if there are problems with sleep.
Eleutherococcus. It has a similar effect to ginseng root.

Also in the treatment of depressive disorders can be applied herbs with sedative effect, such as:

valerian;
mint;
Melissa;
chamomile;
motherwort;
hop.

Contraindications

Contraindications to the use of medicinal plants:

Hypericum cannot be used during pregnancy, as it has an abortive effect. During breastfeeding, it is also not recommended to use, because it can adversely affect the development of the child.
It is impossible to combine it with antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anticoagulants.
During treatment with hunters it is important to avoid direct exposure to sunlight.
Hop can affect hormones, so it should also not be used during pregnancy.
Ginseng has a very negative impact on the embryo and fetus, can lead to the development of deviations. Also, it is not recommended for use in hypertension, platelet deficiency, infections.
pharmaceutical camomile not recommended during pregnancy, with kidney disease and peptic ulcer.
Mint lowers blood pressure, so it can not be taken hypotonia. It also reduces venous tone, therefore, can aggravate the severity of varicose veins.
Rhodiola Rosea should not be used during pregnancy and during feeding.

Recipes

Recipes:

Hypericum tea 1-2 hours l. dried flowers Hypericum need to pour a glass of boiling water and leave to infuse for 10 minutes. Drink 2-3 times a day (per day should drink no more than 300 ml).
A pronounced antidepressant effect is observed after a month of regular intake.
Decoction from Hypericum. 2 tbsp. l dried Hypericum pour 300 ml of water and warm in a water bath for half an hour, and then dilute the resulting liquid with boiled water. Drink a third of a glass three times a day.
Peppermint tea. 1-2 tablespoons of dried mint are put in a mug and poured boiling water (1 tbsp). After that, you need to wait 10-15 minutes and strain the drink.
Tea from Rhodiola Rosea. 1 tsp. chopped root is added to one liter of water, after which the drink must be boiled for 10 minutes under the lid closed and infused for 30 minutes. Drink 2-3 glasses per day.
Infusion of Rhodiola rosea. 10 gr. chopped roots need to pour a glass of boiling water and leave to infuse for 3-4 hours. Take half a cup three times a day.
Infusion of chamomile, valerian and lemon balm. How to brew: you need to take 1 spoon of each plant and pour 1 cup of boiling water, and then leave to infuse for half an hour. Drink shortly before bedtime.

You can also buy various tinctures at the pharmacy, including alcohol tincture of Eleutherococcus, peppermint, motherwort, ginseng, ready-made herbal packaged in convenient sachets for a single brew, and herbal pills.

Hypericum Drug Names

St. John's wort in the fight against depression and anxiety considered the most effective means from among those provided by herbal medicine, therefore there are a large number of preparations based on it, including:

Deprivit;
Deprim;
Helarium Hypericum;

Negrustin;
Cedariston;
Neuroplant;
Novoimanin;
Doppelgerz Nervotonic;
Turinervin.

Drugs in which St. John's wort is the main active ingredient are sold in pharmacies over the counter.

About the properties of Hypericum in depressions in this video:

Other unconventional methods

Traditional treatments for depression:

Instead of coffee or tea - drink from chicory. Chicory is similar in taste to classic hot drinks, so getting used to it will be easy.
It has a beneficial effect on the nervous system: improves sleep, eliminates daytime sleepiness, restores healthy appetite.
Honey and perga. Two or three times a day, eat one teaspoon. Honey and pollen favorably affect mood, the immune system, improve sleep and appetite.
Nuts and dried apricots with honey. You need to take 100 ml of honey and 100 grams of nuts and dried apricots, grind dried apricots and nuts in a blender or in a meat grinder, mix with honey until a homogeneous mixture is formed. Eat 1 tbsp. l twice a day for a month.

Nutrition

Ten useful products for depression and anxiety:

Fresh carrot juice. The substances contained in it, improve mental state. It is useful to eat and peeled raw carrots.
Chocolate. Cocoa beans contain magnesium, which improves the work of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, and substances that contribute to the production of hormones of happiness and pleasure. The greatest amount of nutrients is in black and bitter chocolate.
Eggs It is a storehouse of B vitamins that support the nervous system. According to studies, the lack of vitamins in this group, especially vitamin B12, contributes to the development of depression and neurosis.
Bananas. They contain large amounts of vitamin B6, which is involved in the synthesis of serotonin, and potassium, which eliminates the feeling of fatigue.
Beans It contains folic acid, which increases the production of the hormones of happiness and pleasure.
Walnuts. They, like fish and eggs, contain essential fatty acids, which can significantly improve the mental state during depression.
Sea Kale It is a source of iodine, bromine, magnesium, iron, sodium, and vitamins, including group B.
Oranges. If you eat oranges regularly, you can get out of depression more quickly, which is associated with a large number of beneficial substances contained in this bright fruit.
Their smell invigorates and gives strength, therefore it is useful to use aroma lamps with orange oil.
Cheese. This product is rich in amino acids that enhance mood.
Oatmeal. Oatmeal contains thiamine, the lack of which leads to a deterioration in mood. Complex carbohydrates, which include this croup, contribute to the production of serotonin.

It is recommended to eat less:

semi-finished products;
chips and crackers;
alcoholic beverages (you can sometimes afford to drink red wine, but literally one or two sips);
coffee;
bakery products from high-grade flour.

For food to help fight depression, you need to eat regularly and eat more often rich in vitamins and minerals products.

Food against depression:

Daily regime

Also cope with depression will help:

Water treatments. With depression, a contrast shower is useful: it improves blood circulation, invigorates and gives strength. With anxiety, which often accompanies depressive conditions, herbal baths with chamomile, mint will help.
Massage. Especially useful massage using aromatic oils: the smell has an additional positive effect on the psyche. You can do self-massage, for example, smoothly, massaging your head, neck and shoulders with stroking movements. After the massage, it is recommended to relax in the chair with closed eyes.
Gymnastics. It will be difficult for a depressed person to force himself to start exercising, but if he can still overcome himself, he will quickly notice that exercise improves mood better. This is due to the fact that physical activity triggers the production of hormones of pleasure and happiness. Exercises should be selected to the extent that gymnastics did not turn into torture.
Correction of the day regimen. Sleep and wake up is important at the same time, and the duration of sleep should be sufficient: at least 7-8 hours. It is also useful to have a diary and write plans there for every day.
Meditation. This relaxing practice is good for everyone. Take a comfortable position, turn on the special music, align your breath, concentrate on it and try to get all the oppressive thoughts out of your head.
Regular meditation will quickly restore peace of mind.

If the traditional methods of treatment did not bring pronounced improvements, you must report this to your doctor, so he picked up the right medication.