| In Ayurveda, depression is known as | | | | senses further. Fluids and freshvegetables |
| Chittavsada. It is caused by theincrease in | | | | (in salads) must become an important part of |
| the tamas and rajas of the mind with a | | | | every meal. Theperson can have cool sherbets |
| vitiation of thekapha dosha. Sometimes, an | | | | like rose sherbet in the middle of theday, |
| imbalanced vata may also be responsible | | | | especially in the afternoons and when the |
| fordepression. | | | | evening is beginning.Tea and coffee may be |
| | | | taken occasionally to stimulate the brain. |
| Depression needs to be looked after and | | | | |
| treated as soon as it isidentified. In some | | | | Most people with depression lose their |
| people, depression may be very dangerous as | | | | appetite and desire to eat.For such people, |
| theycould resort to endangering their own and | | | | food must not be forced, or it could lead to |
| other people's lives. | | | | vomiting.When such a disinterest in food |
| | | | occurs, fruits can be consumed. A dietrich in |
| (1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of | | | | fruits is beneficial in the treatment of |
| Depression | | | | depression. |
| | | | |
| 1. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) | | | | (3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Depression |
| | | | |
| Ashwagandha has the requisite properties to | | | | Even in Ayurveda, a psychological counseling |
| remove negative thoughtsfrom the mind. The | | | | between the physicianand the patient is |
| aphrodisiac properties of ashwagandha also | | | | undertaken. This helps the physician to |
| help inimproving the mind and removing | | | | understandthe root cause of the depression. |
| depression. | | | | Then they can take the formulatedsteps to |
| | | | cure the problem. Such counseling is done to |
| 2. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) | | | | increase thesattva of the mind. |
| | | | |
| Brahmi is prescribed before a yogic session. | | | | Slowly allowing a stream of water to fall in |
| The reason is thatbrahmi helps to relax the | | | | the center of theforehead enables the mind to |
| mind and bring it to a comfortable | | | | remove its negativistic thoughts and |
| state.Brahmi is very popularly available in | | | | focusmore on a positive outlook. This therapy |
| the form of oils. The oil has acooling and | | | | is known as shirodhara and itis becoming very |
| soothing effect on the mind. Regular use of | | | | popular in the western world also. An |
| this oil canprevent the person from feeling | | | | alternativetherapy is shirobasti. The oil |
| depressed. | | | | massage therapy called as abhyanga isalso |
| | | | very useful. |
| 3. Cardamom (Elattaria cardamomum) | | | | |
| | | | Ayurverdic professionals also advocate the |
| Cardamom has a very pleasing odor which can | | | | use of yoga in keep themind restful. |
| soothe the nerves. Whena person is depressed, | | | | Praanayama and yoga must become an important |
| a tea made by putting cardamom in it can | | | | part of aperson's daily routine. This helps |
| havealmost miraculous effects. | | | | to concentrate the mind on positivethoughts |
| | | | and depression will never occur. Yogic asanas |
| 4. Guggulu (Commiphora wightii) | | | | that arebeneficial to people with depression |
| | | | are bhujangasana, halasana,paschimottasana, |
| Guggulu has become the focus of attention | | | | sarvangasana, shalabhasana, shavasana and |
| recently due to thepresence of special | | | | vakrasana.In addition, pranayamas like |
| chemicals in it called as guggulsterones. | | | | bhastrika and kapalbhati are very |
| Thesechemicals improve the nervous | | | | stronglyadvised. |
| coordination and hence are beneficial inthe | | | | |
| treatment of depression. Guggulu is more | | | | (4) Home Medications |
| effective in depressioncaused due to seasonal | | | | |
| affective disorder. | | | | 1. Get someone do a good head massage with a |
| | | | cooling oil like brahmi oil. |
| 5. Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) | | | | |
| | | | 2. Improve the regimen of your day. Begin |
| Jatamansi brings a calming effect on the | | | | with yoga in the morningand then listen to |
| mind. By canalizing theenergies of the mind | | | | good soothing music. For some people, |
| in the right direction, jatamansi can remove | | | | visiting theirreligious places of worship |
| thedepressive thoughts. | | | | also helps to come out of depression. |
| | | | |
| 6. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) | | | | 3. Focus your mind in other activities and |
| | | | hobbies in order to keep the thoughts causing |
| Turmeric is effective in treating depression | | | | depression away. |
| that is caused by the change of seasons, i.e. | | | | |
| seasonal affective disorder. | | | | 4. You can try eating an apple with milk and |
| | | | honey. This helps to improve the mood. |
| (2) Dietary Treatments for Depression | | | | |
| | | | 5. Simple lemon juice (the extract of one |
| For people with depression a heavy food is | | | | lemon in a glass of water,sweetened with |
| not advised. The personmust not eat to the | | | | sugar) is also good. It releases |
| full capacity. Hot, spicy and pungent tastes | | | | stress-removinghormones and brings the mind |
| mustbe avoided as these will aggravate the | | | | at ease. |