If you are like many of the 20.9 million adults in the U.S. who are suffering from depression, you have probably debated the pros and cons of taking prescription antidepressants. While depression can often be combated with therapy alone, some professionals do recommend medication for certain cases. The right type and dosage of a prescription medication can sometimes meet with success for a patient, but many experience side effects that outweigh the benefits.
Side effects vary between the different types of antidepressant, but the most commonly prescribed medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft are all SSRIs, and often produce side effects such as sexual dysfunction, nausea, diarrhea and headaches, and in some cases thoughts of suicide. In order to avoid these, more and more people are deciding instead to explore natural remedies for depression.
Among those who know, St. John’s Wort is almost unanimously agreed upon as the alternative treatment for depression. Many believe that it is more effective at treating depression than many prescription medications but with fewer risks. The active compounds in St. John’s Wort help naturally reduce feelings of sadness, anxiety and worthlessness, and many who take it also report less exhaustion and fewer headaches. Best of all, this herb often produces no side effects, although some might experience sensitivity to sun or other minor side effects.
Ginko Biloba is a natural ingredient that improves circulation in the brain, which often in turn improves memory and also alleviates some symptoms of depression. It is not as effective as St. John’s Wort, but it can be taken in conjunction with other natural ingredients as an overall mood-booster.
Siberian Ginseng aids the balance of essential neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Taking Siberian Ginseng regularly can lead to improved feelings of general well-being.
Passion flower is another natural ingredient that can help treat depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Passion flower is a natural salve that helps to calm and soothe. When it is combined with St. John’s Wort, it can be very successful in treating depression naturally.
These and many other herbs are helpful in alleviating many of the symptoms of depression, and as with anything you put into your body, each person will react differently to them. It is important to allow a trial period in order to feel the effects of the natural medications, as some will take several weeks to take effect. As always, you should seek a doctor’s advice before you decide to stop taking a prescription medication, and you should avoid combining prescription medications with natural medications. Hopefully, you will find a safe, healthy combination of natural ingredients helps you to feel consistently better over time.
Tess Thompson is a Homeopathic Practitioner, Reflexologist, Certified Aromatherapist, and Herbalist who contributes regularly to Native Remedies - where you can find All Natural Homeopathic and Herbal Remedies for treating depression naturally and natural remedies for depression.
Tags: depression, antidepressant, medication, treatment, natural, alternative, herbs, herbal
Share This
If you need a dose of morning coffee to kick start your day you may be undermining the peaceful balance that comes from advanced martial arts training and dramatically lowering your ability to develop Ki energy.
Overloading your body with caffeine can cause insomnia, anxiety attacks, impatience, mood swings and the caffeine “Jitters”. But quitting cold turkey can cause headaches, constipation and irritability in many caffeine drinkers. So what can you do?
The best way to eliminate caffeine from your diet is to cut back slowly, beginning with food items such as chocolate and cocoa then moving on to the drinks such as soda and coffee. Some herbal teas like green tea, black tea and guarana tea all are high in caffeine too.
Herbalist such as ShimKiDo Grandmaster Seok Kyu Lee of the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association say that the best plan for eliminating caffeine is to prepare ahead of time. One way to do this is to use herbs such as Nettles which help build up the adrenals and kidneys which are weakened by caffeine. Herbs like oat straw are a great way to strengthen the nervous system. Take up to a quart of either one each day. Take them separately or alternate them day to day and at the end of 45 days you should be able to completely Kick you caffeine habit.
Hapkido Grandmaster Yong Ki Song also suggests milk thistle seed tincture (not capsules) for strengthening the liver. He says that Bitters, like gentian, dandelion roots and artichoke leaf can also be used. He suggests taking them no more than 30 minutes before a meal to support the liver and ease digestion problems.
When you feel you are ready to begin your new caffeine free lifestyle for improved Ki energy mix your coffee with peppermint infusion (not tea).
Increase the amount in each cup over about a 4 day period. It will give you that wide awake energetic feeling without the jittery feeling or Ki draining side effects of drinks containing caffeine.
About the author: Multi-arts Grand Master Richard Hackworth is the senior writer at “Martial Arts World Magazine” in Orlando, Florida and Co-author of the “Martial Arts Profits & Success Manual”. As one of the world’s leading authorities on health and safety, Hackworth teaches seminars around the country on how to improve your health and your life in general through martial arts training. Hackworth is the host of the “Martial Arts News & Entertainment” Radio Show at http://www.ActionRadio.net. He is the first American to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the Korean Martial Arts Instructors Association and became the International Director of that association in 1998. He can be reached at http://www.ActionRadio.net or martialartsradio@hotmail.com.
|
Tags: herbal remedies, martial arts, caffeine, health
Share This
Mother’s Day is almost here. You can use herbs to make simple gifts that are
appropriate for giving for Mother’s Day or any time of the year. Here are some ideas.
Simple Lavender Laundry Sachet Gift. This gift is great for anyone who
likes sweetly scented laundry. To make it fill a fabric bag with dried lavender buds.
Seal the bag so the lavender can’t come out. This bag can be used in the dryer in
place of laundry dryer sheets to add a delicate lavender scent to clothes. Make
several and put them into a gift basket to give to the recipient. As an added touch,
include some natural laundry soap with your gift basket.
Simple Rose Potpourri Gift. Everyone loves roses. You can make a simple
gift using dried rose buds. Drizzle rose fragrance oil onto dried rose buds. Stir well
to distribute the fragrance. Store in an airtight container.
Peppermint and Chamomile Tea Gift Basket. Do you know someone who
likes to drink tea? This gift is one they will appreciate. Peppermint tea aids in
digestion, and chamomile tea is relaxing. To make this gift put dried peppermint
leaves (food grade) into a new glass jar, and put dried chamomile flowers (food
grade) into another jar. Label each one. Put both jars into a gift basket and include a
mug, a tea strainer, and a jar of honey or some stevia (Stevia is a natural herb that is
used by many people as a sweetener).
Herb Suppliers
HerbalCom.com
www.herbalcom.com
Penn Herb Company
www.pennherb.com
San Francisco Herb Company
www.sfherb.com
Copyright 2006, Ololade Franklin.
Ololade Franklin publishes Making Good
Scents(TM),the newsletter of handcrafted cosmetics, soaps and perfumes. She is
also the author of Easy Recipes For Pamper Baskets and several other books. For
complete details visit http://www.SoapmakingBusiness.com
Tags: mother’s day, gifts, herbs
Share This