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Post by Creator on Oct 11, 2006 1:57:00 GMT -5
What natural remedies are there for depression besides St: Johnsworth (or whatever it's called in English)?
Something I read in a medical magazine was that the Omega 3 fat in fish seem to have a good effect not only on high cholersterol but also depressions and trouble to concentrate. I give my kids capsules with Omega 3 to help them concentrate in school but never knew this effect it is supposed to have on depressions...
What other things can one take for depressions?
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Post by Thorn on Oct 11, 2006 9:44:19 GMT -5
It kind of depends on the type of depression. St. John's Wort - hypericum perfoliatum - is the only thing I can think of that is specific (it works like an SSRI, BTW, so it should be used instead of, not in conjuction with, Zoloft, etc.) Vitamin B12 has been said to help. B6 is recommended by some for depression related to PMS. Scullcap - scutellaria laterifola - is a central nervous system tonic that I've seen recommended for depression, but I've never talked to anyone who's used it for this. Oatstraw - Avena sativa - or Lemon balm - Melissa officianalis - are good for agitated depression, and are safe for children. Kava Kava - Piper methysticum - can help adults - but if there is no agitation, it's likely to just make one more lethargic. (The whole liver damage scare with Kava is based on some pretty thin science, BTW.) Energy boosters like the Ginsengs (Panax spp.), Codonopsis (C. pilosula), Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus, aka "Siberian ginseng") , or Ginger (Zinziber officialinale) can be helpful in a non-agitated depression. I've personally found crystalized ginger candies to work like magic - and are very tasty (if you like spicy!) The biggest natural aids that I've found are sunlight, meditation (which for me is more focusing my attention on something - often drawing/painting - rather than trying to clear my mind) and exercise. [Edited to add the vitamin and scullcap info. Also the Latin, for clarity and for the hell of it.  ] |
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Post by Pledm on Oct 11, 2006 21:03:58 GMT -5
Hi creator, it hard seeing someone that you care for being down/depressed.With your children Thorn has said a few things that will work, but hey they are kids,they have ups and downs as long as they have your `Smilin` face,as long as they have there MOM and all the other stuff they will be fine.They will be find creator,I am sure your doing a great job.  |
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Post by Creator on Oct 12, 2006 1:49:01 GMT -5
My kids are not depressed, but I give them Omega 3 because it's good for the brain and helps concentration since they are slightly hyperactive.
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Post by Summer on Oct 12, 2006 13:17:05 GMT -5
I am on 2 different antidepressants, but I have noticed that the sun really helps me out a lot too. So does my meditation. I would use some of the natural remedies, but I don't want to go off my antidepressants right now because my life is too depressing for me to feel safe doing so. I am eventually planning on doing just that however, once my son Nickolas is fully grown up and out on his own. So thanks for all of the information Thorn. I am sure that it will come in useful one of these days for me.  |
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Post by Thorn on Oct 12, 2006 14:25:17 GMT -5
One other thing for those of you using St. John's Wort: It can cause photosensitivity - meaning you're more likely to get a sun burn. So, don't skimp on the sunlight, but be careful about protecting yourself!
Debbie - Many of the things I mentioned should be fine to use with anti-depressants, so they could be useful to you even now. I have several books that I use to check contraindications & drug/herb interactions - if you wanted to let me know what you're taking, I could tell you what, if anything, might be a problem.
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Post by Summer on Oct 12, 2006 14:46:57 GMT -5
I am taking Wellbuterin and Celexa for depression. You could look up those and see if there are any side effects with either of those antidepressants and their natural counterparts. |
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Post by Thorn on Oct 12, 2006 16:29:34 GMT -5
No problem, I'll check them out when I get home tonight.
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Post by Lightseeker on Oct 12, 2006 19:28:02 GMT -5
I am taking Wellbuterin and Celexa for depression. You could look up those and see if there are any side effects with either of those antidepressants and their natural counterparts. Ive taken both Celexa[caused me to vomit] and Ive taken wellbutrin-made me sweat really bad and I beleive it elevated my Blood pressure really high. I wont take anti-depressants because they all make me sweat bad, it can be 30 degrees out and Im sweating like a maniac. I tried ST.Johns wart, it gave me bad heartburn. So now I dont take anything cept Klonapin- I have anxiety bad. I do feel depressed at times but I just wont medicate with pharmacuticals. Im glad Debbie thoes are working out for you. |
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Post by Summer on Oct 13, 2006 1:17:53 GMT -5
Yes, they are working out for me fairly well other than the weight gain that I have noticed that has come from taking my meds. I have put on 25 pounds or so since I started taking this combination of meds, and am quite unhappy about it. But I am back on track with my diet again, and should be losing some of it soon enough, yay! |
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Post by Thorn on Oct 13, 2006 12:41:43 GMT -5
Debbie - I wasn't able to find anything last night, other than that St. John's shouldn't be taken with MAOIs, either. Probably safest not to take it with any antidepressants. (The problem is that they enhance each other unpredictably, so taking both makes it possible to unintentionally overdose on one or the other.)
I want to do a little more research on the ginsengs, etc, since they are fairly powerful herbs and you're meds are relatively new, so they might not be in my books. I'd say the vitamins and the gentle nervines (oatstraw, lemon balm) I mentioned should be OK, though.
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Post by Summer on Oct 13, 2006 13:34:21 GMT -5
Yeah, I would think the ginsings would be ok too. Since they are energy booster, you know? I could use an energy boost. Depression really takes a lot of energy out of one.  |
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