Depression is a very common affliction that affects many people at one time or another in their lives. While severe depression may require a pharmaceutical approach for successful treatment, many milder cases of depression can be managed through more natural methods. If you are on a specialized diet for a medical condition, check with your doctor before making any changes.

There are a number of foods you can take that will make you feel better and omega 3 is just one of them, that can help combat depression ( see our other articles for more foods to fight the blues ) and also have a positive affect on overall health.

Most people suffering from bouts of depression, anxiety and general mood disorders that greatly affect their quality of life don’t even know that they have non-prescription options to treat their depression effectively.

One treatment that has strong evidence to support that is good as a natural way of treating depression is St John’s Wort extract. There have been over 20 controlled clinical trials of it which shows that it effectively relieves depression. In fact studies show that it works just as well as prescription antidepressants such as Paxil and Prozac and also has fewer side effects than them. So with this in mind, people should consider St John’s Wort as their first choice for treating depression naturally.

Other herbal remedies that are gaining popularity as cures for mild depression are ginkgo biloba, kava kava and black cohosh. Each of these is used for a specific type of depression. Ginkgo biloba is primarily used by people suffering from mild depression and memory loss or other dulled mental functions because it helps improve overall mental health. Kava kava is used mainly for anxiousness associated with depression because it calms a person and helps them fall asleep and have more restful sleep.

The effects of depression can only be mitigated. There is no absolute remedy for depression. Dietary changes or herbal supplements can only mitigate the effects of depression. An effective therapy program suggested by your doctor will help you understand what self-talk is and how it can used to minimize depression naturally.

There are many other natural supplements that can help you fight illnesses and feel better. For example, there is one you can grow yourself in your backyard or even in a pot on your patio and another that has been used successfully by the Chinese for at least 1,000 years

For hundreds of years, yoga has been considered an effective natural cure for depression. This is a very old Eastern world treatment, which incorporates body-stretching exercises with specific breathing exercises. The yoga postures and breathing techniques massage the body organs conditioning them so that they function as intended

peterhutch
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/natural-cures-for-depression-herbal-remedies-for-depression-722777.html

In the 21st century we smugly dismiss herbal remedies for asthma as “old wives tales” but this is a foolish attitude. For 5,000 years of recorded history, and undoubtedly many centuries before, humans have been using plants and nature as cures for many diseases and ailments. “Modern” medicine has only existed for a mere instant of time and it’s arrogant to assume that thousands of years of herbal medicine is of no value to us whatsoever. Here are four herbal remedies that are far older than our current medical practices.

The Old Fashioned ‘Mustard Plaster’:

The famous mustard plaster is indeed used on the chest, but it doesn’t involve opening a jar of Grey Poupon and smearing it around. Instead, you must locate the leaves of the mustard plant which grow wild and can also be cultivated in your garden. Once you have the leaves and stems, mash them into a green pulp.

Next, coat your chest with a protective barrier like petroleum jelly or any oil that is solid at room temperature, in order to prevent any blistering. Cover your chest with the mustard pulp and keep it in place with some gauze or a bandage. Lie down for a couple of hours, or even overnight, and your chest should be much relieved.

John Wesley’s Fondness For Carrots:

Yes, carrots are a great asthma reliever. We commonly think of carrots as long, orange vegetables, but in truth they grow all over the world and there are carrots that are red, purple, pale gold, pure white and a canary yellow. The reverend John Wesley, (1703 – 1791), founder of the Methodist church, habitually ate boiled carrots and drank warm carrot broth to relieve his chronic asthma. Wesley claimed that carrots enabled him to keep a regular preaching schedule that would have been impossible without the aid of his beloved vegetable.

Fragrant Chamomile For Drinking And Breathing:

Chamomile refers to several different species of plant but the one westerners are most familiar with is the German chamomile. This especially fragrant plant is an annual, with lovely flowers, that is frequently used to induce sleep. But the fact that it provides great relief for allergies and asthma is less well known.

To make chamomile tea, boil a pint of water, remove it from the heat and add two teaspoons of dried flowers. Allow it to steep for 5-10 minutes. For asthma relief, drink 3-4 cups of warm tea each day. Children can safely drink 1-2 cups.

For even more asthma relief, fill a pan with approximately four inches of boiling water and sprinkle in a handful of chamomile. When the water has cooled so that it is still slightly steaming, but not boiling hot, place your face over the pan and over your head with a heavy towel so that it acts as a tent. Breathe in these wonderfully aromatic fumes until the water cools. You can safely repeat this treatment as often as you like.

Garlic Salve Halts Chest Congestion:

Garlic is truly a wonderful plant. It kills infection, acts as a blood thinner, seasons food – and acts as a wonderful chest congestant. To make a salve to relieve an asthmatically-constricted chest, peel and mince 6-8 garlic cloves and drop them into a jar that can withstand high temperatures, such as a canning jar.

Next, cover the garlic with melted Crisco or other shortening that will harden at room temperature. If desired, you can also add a small amount of eucalyptus oil to make the mixture more fragrant.

Put the oil and garlic into boiling water and let it sit, without a top, for about three hours. At the end of this time, stir it and pour it into smaller jars for storage. When needed, simply rub into your chest until the oil is absorbed, cover for a time with a towel, and wait for the relief that is soon to come.

The beautiful thing about these natural four remedies is that they cannot possibly harm you in any way. Can you say the same thing about any asthma drugs you are currently ingesting?

Timothy H. Jackson
http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/four-herbal-remedies-for-asthma-82077.html

I would never have believed what a difference having a comfortable mattress made if I had not personally experienced it. You see, I have not had comfort beds for a number of years. I lived a pretty austere life. I did not have a lot of money, but I was pretty happy. I slept on a small, firm mattress that was just sitting on the floor. I didn’t really need a comfort bed. I disdained luxury, and anyway I didn’t have a lot of money to spend. I got along fine.

The problem was that I was having some serious back pains. I did not initially link it to the lack of comfort beds. I tried all kinds of things to alleviate back pain, and many of them helped. I went to a chiropractor, got massages, took up exercise, and started stretching as often as possible. Nonetheless, the back pain persisted.

Finally, in desperation I tried one of my friends suggestions. I got over to the mattress store and took a look at some comfort beds. I was pretty surprised the first time I lay on a pillow top mattress. It was one of the sleep number beds – the ones that you can adjust with a dial. I have always slept on a pretty firm mattress, but I was blown away by the softness of this one. It was so comfortable that it was like sleeping on a cloud. I have never felt anything like it!

I hate to admit it, but sleeping on comfort beds has changed my life since then. I still don’t buy a lot of junk that I don’t need. For example, I do not eat junk food, do not drive a car, and to do not buy books when I can take them out of the library. Nonetheless, comfort beds and comfortable clothes are really an essential of my lifestyle now.

Having things that make you feel good is important. You are more comfortable, more relaxed, and more at ease. A lot of the stuff that is valued in our society is a waste, but comfort beds definitely aren’t. Without comfortable beds, you will wake up with backaches. If you have a sleep comfort mattress, however, you will wake up refreshed every morning. I think that this is worth the extra cost. After all, how you sleep affects your mood for the rest of the day.

Ann Marier
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/comfort-beds-and-back-pain-remedies-113965.html

We live in extremely busy times. It seems that everywhere we go, people are never asleep. Businesses undertake 24-hour operations to cater to a more global market, while individuals don’t hesitate to cross time zones and travel to another country either also for business reasons or for personal development. Body clocks are out of synch, schedules are warped, and the concept of night and day is confused.

Because of this, most of us turn to medications to help us get some shut-eye. However, most of these drugs, because of their chemical content, contain toxic side effects—hence, the birth of natural remedies, like melatonin and calming teas, as alternative therapies.

What is melatonin? Basically, it’s the by-product of the pineal gland, which is the small pea-sized part of our neurological system that tells our bodies when it’s time to shut down and rest. During the day, melatonin is weak, but during the night, it works at its peak. That’s why sleep comes in the absence of daylight or any light source.

However, since our lifestyles have altered our sleep-wake cycles, our bodies tend to forget how to differentiate night from day. People who work graveyard shifts, for instance, sleep during the day and feel very alert at night. But when these schedules suddenly turn 180 degrees, they find themselves dozing off in the middle of a task or falling prey to the lure of potentially dangerous energy drinks and other wake-up drugs.

Natural pineal gland melatonin cannot cope with these sudden changes, so treatment makers have come up with a way to mimic the effect of melatonin to create a pharmacy-grade melatonin supplement. This supplement is available over the counter and is commonly used to treat jet lag discomforts.

The recommendations on the use of pharmacy grade melatonin are mixed. Some studies advise against it because it leads to toxicity, but there are other researches that have found no ill results even if the participants have consumed 600 to 3,000 times the usual dosage, or around 6 grams. Common complaints against melatonin use include reaction lags and drowsiness, but this is quite understandable given the supplement’s features.

Doctors advise that melatonin be consumed only when you’re about to go to bed or at night. To combat jet lag, users are told to take the supplement around thirty minutes before boarding the plane. It should be known that melatonin has major body clock resetting functions so it must not be ingested when not really necessary. How much melatonin an individual can take varies, but it usually begins at 1.5 to 3 milligrams and then increased as needed.

In sum, melatonin, while a natural remedy, is still a drug, which should be taken in moderation. Because the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate alternative therapies, it would be prudent for you not to self-medicate but to consult the advice of a natural health expert or a doctor before deciding to take it.

Disclaimer:This is not a substitute for medical advice. This is only for informational purpose. Seek the advice of your doctor before considering any course of treatment.

Cathlen Evans
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-nature-of-melatonin-supplements-in-promoting-sleep-108697.html

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. It can occur anywhere in the body and, based on that, there are several types of arthritis. The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis which is the common ailment of pain in the joints observed in elderly people. Other common types of arthritic ailments are rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

The word arthritis is derived from two root Greek words – arthros meaning ‘joint’ and it is meaning ‘inflammation’. Hence, arthritis literally translates as inflammation of the joints.

Arthritis is an auto-immune disease, which means, it is a disease in which the human body attacks itself. It begins in one or two joints where an acute pain is felt. This is the most miserable phase of arthritis. Over time, this pain may disappear, but it could cause permanent deformities in the bones and joints.

Why is Arthritis caused?

Different types of arthritis are caused due to different reasons.

(1) Osteoarthritis – Osteoarthritis is a common old-age problem, which affects several people who have crossed the age of 40 years. In people with osteoarthritis, the bones may increase in size at their articulating points. As a result the spaces between them in the joints become less. When moving about, there is a high probability that different bones will rub against each other. This is the cause of osteoarthritis.

(2) Rheumatoid Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis is a more serious problem than osteoarthritis because it can occur at any age. In people with rheumatoid arthritis, the ligaments and tendons between the joints undergo degeneration. This causes severe pain where the degeneration has taken place. Common rheumatoid arthritis pains are felt in the fingers; but other places like the wrists, hip and knees are also affected. Rheumatoid arthritis is responsible for deformation of the fingers.

(3) Septic Arthritis – Septic arthritis is a special type of arthritis which is caused when the joints get infected.

(4) Gout – Gout is common old-age arthritis. It is caused when crystals of uric acid are deposited in the spaces between the joints. This type of arthritis is linked with faulty digestion.

What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?

In all types of arthritis, the following symptoms are observed:-

How can Arthritis be avoided?

Arthritis cannot be avoided effectively as it is a common ailment that occurs with advancing age. One must learn to live with the problem. But there are various things which can be avoided in order to keep arthritis at bay.

The following foods must be avoided if you have continuous arthritic pains:

Simple yogic asanas and light exercise helps proper digestion of the body and also protects it from autoimmune problems. Hence, these are beneficial in arthritis.

If you have recurrent pains in the joints, then do not keep the joint covered. As far as possible, keep the joint exposed to the air. For example, if you have pain in the knee joints, then do not wear tight denim clothing; shorts would be a good idea. This will provide freer circulation of blood in the joint and reduce the pains.

How can Arthritis be controlled with Simple Home Remedies?

Some household remedies are known to provide relief from arthritic pains. The following are some of the more benefiting ones:-

Tom alter
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/arthritis-herbs-and-ayurvedic-remedies-arthritis-symptom-and-other-treatments-106666.html

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a pervasive sense of sadness and hopelessness, and inability to enjoy life. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: fatigue, irritability, crying spells, sleep disorders, forgetfulness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts. People dealing with depression need to know that recovery is possible and that it is more than a case of the “blues” that they can shake with willpower, as well-meaning friends or relatives may suggest. Depression is a real disease.

Anyone can suffer from depression, though women tend to get it more than men. In children, the rates are similar between the sexes. Those with a family history of depression are more likely to have it. Severity can range from situational depression, which is caused by a stressful life event; to dysthymia, a mild but long-lasting form of depression; to major or clinical depression. There is also seasonal depression that occurs when exposure to natural light is limited, postpartum and premenstrual depression that occurs due to hormonal changes, and other less common forms.

The cause of moderate to severe depression is now widely agreed to be biochemical imbalances in the brain. While very mild or situational periods of depression may resolve on their own, most cases require some kind of intervention. Traditionally, modern psychiatry offered only talk therapy and medications with severe side effects for sufferers. Since the discovery of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) like fluoxetine (Prozac) in the 1980′s, many people have found relief from the symptoms of depression.

But with society leaning much more toward “greener” lifestyles, holistic methods of health are more popular than ever. There are several tried-and-true herbal remedies for depression. St. John’s wort, for example, has been used extensively in Europe for decades, prescribed by doctors and psychiatrists for their patients suffering from depression. Study after study – over twenty – have proven its effectiveness. Gingko biloba also helps with depression by increasing blood flow to the brain, which increases mood and memory.

Other herbal remedies for depression can be used to alleviate some of the symptoms of depression that can greatly affect one’s quality of life. Valerian root, for example, can help promote the high-quality sleep that is so often elusive when depression hits.

The importance of a healthy diet and the benefits of exercise in maintaining and improving health can never be overemphasized. In addition to promoting overall fitness and endurance, exercise increases production of the body’s “feel good” hormones, which elevate mood. A balanced diet containing omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and other essential vitamins and minerals can improve mood and alleviate depression.

Untreated depression can be devastating to individuals and their loved ones. But there is help available that can lift the veil of depression and allow the sun to shine in again.

Shannon Pollock
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/herbal-remedies-for-depression-did-you-know-there-are-alternatives-to-prescriptions-521079.html

In past generations, Grandma always knew what to do when you were feeling under the weather but it seems like in these modern times of prescription medicines and over-the-counter drugs we’ve forgotten how some of these everyday ailments can be relieved by simple methods. In most cases, you will find that you have the remedies already in your own kitchen or bathroom cabinet.

Colds

Vitamins can shorten the time you suffer from cold symptoms and getting plenty of vitamin C and vitamin D as well as Zinc can help to shorten your suffering. Get plenty of fluids ( fresh orange juice is great to drink when you have a cold) and you might consider
drinking green tea and try adding some lemon to it or just lemon with hot water to help you sort out those germs.

Speaking of lemon, have you noticed all of the throat lozenges and other medicines coming out with honey and lemon in them? There’s a reason for that as both honey and lemon can help sooth common cold symptoms. Try putting some lemon and honey into a glass of hot water and drinking that down to soothe your sore throat.

Is your nose chapped from constantly blowing it? Take some petroleum jelly or even lip balm and put it on the affected area for instant relief.

If your nose is stuffed up and dripping, you might want to place a freshly cut onion next your bed so you can breathe in the fumes as you sleep. If you have watery eyes and a drippy nose take a glass of hot water cut an onion in half and stick it in the water for a few seconds. What the water cool and sip on that throughout the day – it may not be the best tasting cure but it works!

Insomnia

There are some obvious things you might want to do if you find that you are having trouble sleeping and cutting out caffeine, or at least trying not to drink it after noon is one of them. Another strange remedy is to go to bed earlier. Make sure your bedroom is quiet and comfortable and then you have cotton sheets that let your body breathe.

Try drinking either chamomile tea or lemongrass tea before bedtime as these will soothe you and might help you sleep. You can even grow lemongrass yourself in your garden or in a container in your windowsill. Pick it fresh then add it to water that is just below boiling and let it steep for about five minutes.

And don’t forget the warm milk, this might seem cliche but it really does work.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be inconvenient and when you find yourself suffering from it, try taking some brown vinegar. While it doesn’t have the most pleasant taste, in most cases it will do the trick. Plus you probably aren’t having to cabinet so you won’t have to run out to the store in between bouts of diarrhea to buy some prescription medicine.

These home remedies are not harmful and can help ease symptoms without having to resort to prescription or over-the-counter drugs which can be harmful. However, if you have very severe symptoms or symptoms that persist you will want to visit your doctor to make sure it is not an indication of something more serious.

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/grandmas-secret-remedies-for-colds-insomnia-and-diarrhea-93832.html

I don’t have extra money. So, I was wondering if there were at home remedies that work. I have tried warm mike with honey and things like that. If you have any ides please help. I really need sleep. I often go days with out it.

A box of generic benedryl is 2 bucks for 24 of them. Thats what sleeping pills are….anti-histamines. And they work pretty well.

Good Luck

Depression is a very real and treated the disease. Depressive disorders are not the same as a passing blue mood. Depression is very common and affects as many as one in eight young men, in their years. Depression is generally situational and reactive, and associated with pain, loss, or a major social transition. Sadness is a part of being human, a natural reaction to painful circumstances.

All of us will experience sadness at some point in our lives. Depression, however, is a physical illness with many more symptoms than an unhappy mood. Depression affects people of every color, race, economic status or age, however, seems to affect more women than men during adolescence and adulthood. It is usually started aged 15 and 30. It is more common in women. Women can also get postpartum depression after the birth of a child. Some people get seasonal affective in winter disorder. Depression is one part of bipolar disorder. Depressive disorders come in many forms, as is the case with other illnesses such as heart disease. This pamphlet briefly describes three of the most common types of depressive disorders. However, within these types there are variations in the number of symptoms, their severity, and persistence.

Five major types of anxiety disorders are:
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Panic Disorder
Social Phobia (or Social Anxiety Disorder)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The Link between Anxiety and Depression

Anxiety and depression are dangerous mental illnesses. Unfortunately, they can also go hand-in-hand, making everyday life very difficult for the person who is suffering. Fortunately, if the conditions are recognized and proper help is obtained, they can be overcome successfully.

Ayurvedic herbal remedies for depression tips:

? Add some fresh Rose petals to a cup of boiling water. Add sugar and drink, often depressed.
? An Apple eaten with milk and honey is great to lift the mood. Home best remedy for depression.
? Powder seeds 2 green cardamoms. Add 1 cup boiling water, add sugar and drink this tea twice a day.
? A neutral immersion bath for one hour daily is also useful to treat depression.
? Relaxation and meditation are also effective measures to treat depression. The best way to relax is to practice putting shavasana or dead. Meditation involves training to remain fixed to a specific location on the internal or external.
? Mediation helps to create balance in the nervous system.
? Lying down in a dark room can make a 1 / 2 hours of sleep will always make you feel better.
? Another cure for depression is a tea made of Indian basil (Tulsi) and grief. Use 1 / 4 teaspoon Tulsi and 1 / 2 teaspoon of sage per cup of hot water, drink twice a day.
? Blanch a cup of boiling water, add honey, wait 3 minutes and drink.
? Warm avocado leaves and put them on the forehead.
? Cook and eat: white lily, rice bulb, palm and tulip (add nothing more).
? Cook oatmeal to 1 cup of rice milk or soy milk, boil and stir for one minute at a temperature of law. Can add nuts, almonds, dried fruit, honey.
? Blanch very well to make tea and drink.
? Stir 1 teaspoon lavender leaves to a cup of boiling water, cool and drink 3 times daily.
? Eat: nuts, cheese and a tablespoon of cider vinegar in a glass of water.
? Eat at least 5 bananas a day, reduced to one time.
? Eat a lot of pumpkin seeds.
? Various yogic Asanas like halasana, paschimottanasana, Sarvangasana, shavasana, shalabhasana, vakrasana, bhujangasana and pranayamas as kapalbhati, bhastrika are very beneficial in the treatment of depression.
? Cook oatmeal to 1 cup of rice milk or soy milk, boil and stir for one minute at a temperature of law.

Depression’s Signs
Everyone feels blue from time to time, but real depression is a like a black cloud that smothers. If left untreated, these conditions can Leal to suicide. Being aware of the signs of depression is imperative. Common signs include:
Changes in eating habits
Thoughts of suicide or death
Feelings of guilt, hopelessness
A feeling of sadness that persists for several weeks or longer

Anxiety and depression are both very real, very serious illnesses. Fortunately, both can be treated rather effectively if their signs and symptoms are recognized and acted upon properly. Counseling and medication can help a person overcome these conditions. Trying to work through a combination of anxiety and depression alone generally is not advised.

Read more on Natural Remedies for Depression and Home Remedies for Depression

parveenKumar
http://www.articlesbase.com/mental-health-articles/herbal-remedies-for-depression-and-its-symptoms-1183460.html

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by a pervasive sense of sadness and hopelessness, and inability to enjoy life. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to: fatigue, irritability, crying spells, sleep disorders, forgetfulness, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts. People dealing with depression need to know that recovery is possible and that it is more than a case of the “blues” that they can shake with willpower, as well-meaning friends or relatives may suggest. Depression is a real disease.

Anyone can suffer from depression, though women tend to get it more than men. In children, the rates are similar between the sexes. Those with a family history of depression are more likely to have it. Severity can range from situational depression, which is caused by a stressful life event; to dysthymia, a mild but long-lasting form of depression; to major or clinical depression. There is also seasonal depression that occurs when exposure to natural light is limited, postpartum and premenstrual depression that occurs due to hormonal changes, and other less common forms.

The cause of moderate to severe depression is now widely agreed to be biochemical imbalances in the brain. While very mild or situational periods of depression may resolve on their own, most cases require some kind of intervention. Traditionally, modern psychiatry offered only talk therapy and medications with severe side effects for sufferers. Since the discovery of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) like fluoxetine (Prozac) in the 1980′s, many people have found relief from the symptoms of depression.

But with society leaning much more toward “greener” lifestyles, holistic methods of health are more popular than ever. There are several tried-and-true herbal remedies for depression. St. John’s wort, for example, has been used extensively in Europe for decades, prescribed by doctors and psychiatrists for their patients suffering from depression. Study after study – over twenty – have proven its effectiveness. Gingko biloba also helps with depression by increasing blood flow to the brain, which increases mood and memory.

Other herbal remedies for depression can be used to alleviate some of the symptoms of depression that can greatly affect one’s quality of life. Valerian root, for example, can help promote the high-quality sleep that is so often elusive when depression hits.

The importance of a healthy diet and the benefits of exercise in maintaining and improving health can never be overemphasized. In addition to promoting overall fitness and endurance, exercise increases production of the body’s “feel good” hormones, which elevate mood. A balanced diet containing omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and other essential vitamins and minerals can improve mood and alleviate depression.

Untreated depression can be devastating to individuals and their loved ones. But there is help available that can lift the veil of depression and allow the sun to shine in again.

Shannon Pollock
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/herbal-remedies-for-depression-did-you-know-there-are-alternatives-to-prescriptions-521079.html