Are there any natural miracle cures for depression?
By Carl Halling
@CarlHalling (3617)
United Kingdom
December 10, 2007 5:45am CST
We all suffer from time to time, but for some poor men and women, it's full-time. Whad do they do? There are drugs of course, but for those who are seeking natural cures, which ones work? St John's Wort, ginseng? SAMe? Gingko Bilboa? Green Tea? EPA (fish oil) Who has tried one or more of these and have they worked?
2 people like this
7 responses
@Idlewild (6090)
• United States
12 Jan 08
Exercise is supposed to be one of the best ways to relieve depression. It stimulates hormones that can affect mood and have many other benefits.
I don't know anyone who's tried the options you mention (well, except for green tea, but not for depression). It's good to be careful even with "natural" things such as St. John's Wort; even natural substances can interfere with other medication a person can be taking, and can have side effects even if you're not taking medication.
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
12 Jan 08
I'm sure that's right. The problem is, depressed people find it difficult to rouse themselves to exercise. I agree with you about St John's Wort. When I tried it, it disagreed with me and produced uncomfortable symptoms of intolerance, not serious but not pleasant, which was a shock. I've had similar reactions from other herbal products, which has made me very chary about what I swallow. When I was younger I had no fears about what I ingested; but hard living combined with age has made my immune system hypersensitive. I suffer minor intolerance reactions to all sorts of things. It means that I am pretty well forced to stick with only that which is tried true and tested.
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
12 Jan 08
Okay then, if you don't want to meditate, try color therapy. Better than anti-depressants any day!
I just changed the colors on my profile page based on their therapeutic value and I just want to sit and stare at the page all day it feels so good.
Try this test to see how depressed you really are (or aren't):
http://healing.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=healing&cdn=religion&tm=26&f=21&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.colorquiz.com/about.html
About.com: http://www.colorquiz.com/about.html
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
18 Jan 08
Well I must have missed this one, so I apologise. I tried the colour test and have to say, they were pretty accurate, very in fact. Scary.
@wolfie34 (26770)
• United Kingdom
24 Dec 07
It's a double edged sword for me because I can't take St John's Wort as I am on thyroxine and have been told that you cannot take it by the GP and Pharmacies, as I inquired, but it's the thyroid that is to blame for my depression! Lose lose situation. I did to the Chinese Herbal Medicines clinic and was prescribed a herbal prescription, but that didn't work for me, except the sleeping pills which had the desired affect. I do have lots of fish oil but nothing seems to help long term and I refuse point blank to take what the GPs keep trying to offload on me!
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
25 Dec 07
Please read the information in following discussion:
http://www.mylot.com/w/discussions/1091947.aspx
The discussion was about schizofrenia but the same natural food helps to prevent depression.
The important thing is that the fish oil should be cold pressed and not be polluted - I know the oils from www.gnld.com are from carefully selected fish from clean waters.
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
28 Dec 07
Thank you so much. That should make very interesting reading.
@Ngippol (567)
• Philippines
10 Dec 07
All those things you mentioned can ease the pain for sometime but the root cause will not be cured. The best cure is to have Christ truly in your heart. He is the keeper of broken heart.
Try to do what works with someone: She was advised to buy flowers and visit those who are sick in the hospital without visits and bring them cheer; bake cookies and give it to those aged men/women in the home-for-the-aged homes and come back here and tell me if you are still depressed in bringing good tidings to those lonely and alone!
@CarlHalling (3617)
• United Kingdom
10 Dec 07
You are 100% right in what you say. I'm a Christian too. Many Christians are depressed today; it can be a hard life. But there is peace for them, and assurance. Depression is worst when it's intense, which I personally have never known, except on rare occasions and usually due to controllable circumstances. Then there is the other kind...the mild long term variety. This can be debilitating...but a pretty rich full life is available. They are the lucky ones. You are absolutely correct though...forgetting oneself and one's troubles sounds like a good cure. Good message!
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
10 Oct 10
Well, sometimes its unavoidable that we feel depressed for the day..but for the health its not a good side, i believe in Meditation which will balance our mind and helps to be normal at situations.
@bbsr13 (4196)
• India
13 Dec 07
Hello, Carll!depression is your mental status.medicines have nothing to do with it.it practically needs a psychological treatment.so instead of going for a treatment better try yourself at home to change your mind.when you feel depressed go and listen devotional songs or any of your liking songs,watch cinemas,play with your children and laugh loudly, go for a walk with your friend and ventilate your problem and find out a solution,if not recite a mantra OoooM for 30 minutes.you will be then relieved of all tensions.thank you and be happy.
