“People think depression is sadness, crying or dressing in black. But people are wrong. Depression is the constant feeling of being numb. You wake up in the morning just to go back to bed again.” – Unknown
Depression, today, has become a very common emotional and mental illness. May be it was always there, but because of the stigma associated with it, people suffering from depression did not open up about it. Today, about 11.3 per cent of all adults are disturbed by it every year.
Suggested read: How to beat depression? By eating turmeric, says Science!
Depression should not be, however, confused with temporarily feeling low or unhappy; it is a mood state far beyond that. Depression affects our thoughts, our feelings, mood, the way we behave with others and ourselves, and our physical health.
Symptoms of depression
The most common symptoms of depression are,
- Sadness
- Deep sense of loss
- The feeling of not wanting to do anything
- Mental trauma
- Loss of appetite
- Disturbed sleep
- Lack of energy
When the intensity and duration of these symptoms increases, your day-to-day life comes to a standstill. You are distressed, and you seem to not be able to point your finger at a particular reason behind this agony.
Causes of depression
According to some researchers today, one of the most probable reasons of depression can be the genetic predisposition of the person. So, depression, in some cases, runs in the family. According to the Harvard Medical School,
“Researchers have learned much about the biology of depression. They’ve identified genes that make individuals more vulnerable to low moods, and influence how an individual responds to drug therapy.”
Apart from the genes, there are other contributing factors that can lead to depression, the most common being,
- Anxiety
- Tension
- Drug abuse
- Mental stress
- Deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids
- Insufficiency in vitamin B-complex
Depression is an extremely serious problem. If you leave it untreated, it can be incapacitating. It can be devastating. There are a number of therapies that you can undertake, or medical supplements you can take, to cure depression. However, along with these, here are some home remedies for depression that can help you lift your mood. These will help restore the excitement and joy in your life. 
Home remedies for depression
Here are 10 natural remedies you can try to help cure your depression.
1. St. John’s Wort
This is a very popular remedy for depression. St. John’s Wort is an herbal treatment that can cure mild to moderate depression. It contains hypericin and hyperforin, chemicals that work similar to an antidepressant. It blocks re-uptake of serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), which is a monoamine neurotransmitter, and serotonin receptors.
Remedies
- Heat a cup of water.
- Add to this, three to four teaspoons of dried St. John’s wort.
- Once the tea boils, remove it from the fire.
- Now, let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Strain this tea, and drink it.
- You should drink this tea two times a day to lift your mood on a daily basis.
- On the other hand, you can take 300 milligrams of St. John’s wort as a supplement. Thrice every day. However, before taking the supplement, consult doctor about the right dosage for you.
2. Cardamom
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The spice, cardamom, helps detoxify our body. It aids the rejuvenation of our cells, which in turn, lifts our mood and cures depression.
Remedies
- Heat a cup of water or milk.
- Now, to the drink of your choice, add one-fourth of a tablespoon of cardamom powder. Mix well, and drink once every day.
- On the other hand, you can draw yourself a warm bath. To the bath water, add five to six drops of essential cardamom oil. Soak your body in this aroma-filled warm bath for at least half an hour each day.
3. Nutmeg
Nutmeg is an amazing cure for depression, owing to its therapeutic properties. It acts as a brain tonic, and stimulates our brain cells, which in turn, helps avert fatigue and mental stress. Nutmeg also helps improve your mood.
Remedies
- To two teaspoons of Indian gooseberry juice (amla juice), add one-eighth of a teaspoon of nutmeg powder.
- This mix must be consumed, daily, two times every day, in order to calm our mind, and consequently, relieve depression.
A word of caution: You SHOULD NOT consume raw nutmeg in heavy doses since it has psychoactive properties.
4. Saffron
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The carotenoids in saffron make it a very healthy choice to treat depression. Saffron also contains high levels of vitamins B, which increase the levels of serotonin, the happy chemical, in your brain.
According to a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, saffron is as useful as fluoxetine or Prozac in healing mild to moderate depression.
Remedies
- To fight depression, you can take 15 mg of dried extract of saffron, two times a day.
- Alternatively, you can add a pinch of dried saffron to the sweet dishes you prepare, and can also mix them in milk shakes and smoothies.
Suggested read: 5 simple truths and tips about dating someone with depression
5. Cashews
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Cashews are a rich source of vitamin C, which makes them a great stimulant of the nervous system. The riboflavin-content in cashews gives a major boost to our energy levels, which in turn, makes us more active and happy. Cashews contain several other nutrients that can help you combat depression, such as vitamin B6, tryptophan and magnesium. Here is how you can benefit from cashew to treat your depression.
Remedies
- Heat a cup of milk.
- Once lukewarm, add a teaspoon of cashew nut powder, and mix well.
- Drink this, every night before going to sleep.
- On the other hand, you may consume one or two dry roasted cashews every day to lift your mood. In that quantity, cashews are a healthy snack.
6. Fish oil
According to studies, people who are suffering from depression, generally, have a low intake of omega-3 fatty acids. So, naturally, they need to increase their omega-3 fatty acid consumption to fight depression, and for that purpose, fish oil is highly recommended to those who are going through depression.
Remedies
- Every day, take fish oil supplements to fight depression. You might find them in health stores or even grocery stores. You can even buy them online. But before you consume these add-ons, consult a doctor for the right dosage.
- On the other hand, you may eat cold water fish, such as, salmon, sardines and anchovies. These fishes are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Other good sources of the nutrient are flaxseed and soy.
7. Apples
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Apples are rich in vitamin B, phosphors and also potassium. Each of these nutrients repair the damage brain cells, and improve their functioning. As a result, they help you fight the symptoms of depression.
Remedies
- Wash a fresh apple. Now chop it, and place it in a blender. Extract the juice.
- To the juice, add two teaspoons of honey. Mix well.
- Add the mixture to a cup of lukewarm milk.
- Drink this milk two times a day, once in the morning, and once at night for best results.
- You may also eat an apple a day to prevent depression.
8. Honey
Honey can lift your mood, and help your fight bad feelings and emotions that come with depression. Also, honey can relax your tired nerves. Honey contains tryptophan, an amino acid that invokes sleep. Sleep, in turn, helps fight depression.
Remedies
- Crush around 10 almonds.
- Now add two teaspoons of honey to the mix. Blend well.
- Eat a teaspoon of this mix two times a day for best results.
9. Asparagus
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Asparagus has compounds that lift our spirits, helping us fight depression. Asparagus contains high levels of folate, which enhances our brain functioning. The vitamin E in asparagus produces the chemical, serotonin that helps stabilize our mood.
Remedies
- Eat fresh asparagus by steaming it or grilling it, five times a week for positive results.
- You may even take a teaspoon of powdered asparagus root. Follow it with a glass of water. Consume this once every day to beat depression.
10. Chicken
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Depression, as we mentioned earlier, is caused partly due to the low level of vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is a mood enhancer, as it stimulates levels of serotonin and dopamine.
Remedies
- To get proper amount of vitamin B-6, chicken works best. In 3 ounces of chicken, there are 0.5 mg of this vitamin. Try to consume two pieces of chicken, at least thrice a week, to fight depression.
- Every night, prepare a bowl of chicken soup, and drink it while hot.
Suggested read: Women in power show more signs of depression than men
Apart from these home remedies for depression, you can also engage in some practical activities that can lift your mood. Some of these include, taking proper rest; avoiding junk and unhealthy food that cause restlessness and anxiety; socializing more with people who make you happy; laughing a lot; thinking happy thoughts; participating in some form of exercise or sport; staying away from drugs, smoking or alcohol. If despite these, your depression persists, and you feel your life is not worth living anymore, you need to see a doctor IMMEDIATELY. Also, if you know someone who is suffering from this mental disease, try to help them. Tell them about these remedies, talk to them, convince them to go to the doctor. As Stephen Fry puts it,
“If you know someone who’s depressed, please resolve never to ask them why. Depression isn’t a straightforward response to a bad situation; depression just is, like the weather.
Try to understand the blackness, lethargy, hopelessness, and loneliness they’re going through. Be there for them when they come through the other side. It’s hard to be a friend to someone who’s depressed, but it is one of the kindest, noblest, and best things you will ever do.”
That is all we have for you today. Let us know if and when you try these remedies, and if you found them effective. The comment section misses you!
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