Depression and Natural Therapies
For the purposes of this article, depression refers to the illness known as clinical depression, major depression or unipolar depression. This kind of depression is a recognised clinical condition and is becoming a common illness in developed countries, with up to 20% of the population affected by this illness at some stage of their lives.[1] The medical profession and drug companies have responded with a vast arsenal of antidepressant medications, which have been used effectively since the 1960s. In addition to these medications, there is also an array of natural therapies that may help the sufferer of depression to some extent. While natural therapies have not been shown to be as effective as antidepressants, they nevertheless may have a contribution to make. The role of natural therapies is, first, to help a patient cope with depression while waiting for an antidepressant to start working. Antidepressants can take anything from one week to five weeks to take effect, and life can be very difficult for the patient in the meantime. Secondly, natural therapies may be useful as a supplement to orthodox treatments.
Symptoms
Clinical depression presents a range of symptoms that can be quite incapacitating. It is also life-threatening because of the possibility of suicide. The main symptoms are as follows:
- a severe sense of gloom and despair
- low energy -- patients feel as though they are "made of lead"
- loss of sex drive, which tends to go hand in hand with loss of energy.
These symptoms can all be relieved permanently by antidepressants, but natural therapies may help along the way.
The Therapies
Amino Acids
The natural therapies that most closely resemble antidepressants in their action are certain amino acids. '''Tryptophan''' (L-Tryptophan) is the precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin, and thus has an affect that is similar to antidepressants that replenish the supply of serotonin in the brain cells. [2] It has not been shown to be as effective as antidepressants, but may appeal to patients who are prejudiced against antidepressants or dislike the side-effects. Affective dosage range is 4-6 grams daily. It can take Trytophan ten days to start working. It can also improve sleep because the brain creates melatonin from serotonin, and melatonin tells the brain to switch off and go to sleep. Too much Tryptophan causes dizziness. It should not be combined with antidepressants; this can cause serotonin syndrome, which can cause death in extreme cases.
Another amino acid that can help with depression is '''Tyrosine''' (L-Tyrosine), which is the precursor of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine. By replenishing these important nuerotransmitters, Tyrosine can lift the mood of a depressed patient, especially patients who have had a breakdown through overwork or are burned out for the same reason. Like Tryptophan, Tyrosine takes approximately ten days to start working. The effective dosage range is 1-2 grams daily. Excess use causes insomnia. Tyrosine can be combined with Tryptophan but not antidepressants.
Bach Flower Remedies
These remedies are created from various flowers and plants. They are completely safe and it is impossible to take an overdose (although you might get tipsy from the brandy that is used as a preservative). There are four remedies that help specifically with depression. Normal dosage is four drops 4x daily.
Gentian is for very mild depression or pessimism, although it can help with more serious depression to some extent.
Gorse is for more severe depression.
Sweet Chestnut is for truly severe depression -- "the dark night of the soul".
Mustard is for depression that comes from within and is not related to external circumstances. [3][4][5]
Australian Bush Flower Essences
These essences are similar to Bach Remedies and are mostly made from Australian plants and flowers. Normal dosage is seven drops 2x daily, preferably first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
Waratah is the essence that is specifically intended to help with depression.
Sunshine Wattle helps with pessimism and defeatism, especially after a long run of bad luck.[6]
This page is under construction.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Thorson's Guide to Amino Acids, Leon Chaitow, 1991
- ^ Heal Thyself, Dr Edward Bach, 1931
- ^ Flower Essences and Vibrational Healing, Gurudas, 1983
- ^ The Bach Remedies Workbook, Stefan Ball, 1998
- ^ Australian Bush Flower Essences, Ian White, 1991