Here are some remedies that your practitioner may suggest:
- Yogaraj Guggul : A useful and traditional herb mixture
- Asafoetida (Hing)
- Ashwagadha
- Musta, Mustaka
- Tulsi (Tulasi), Krishnamul
- Bala
- Gudmar
- Shankh Pushpi
Traditional Chinese Medicine
To receive bespoke advice based upon your own situation you should visit a local licensed practitioner. Find your closest Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners here.Here are some remedies that your practitioner may suggest:
Hare’s Ear Root
Known in Chinese as chai hu, this herb is known to restore the flow of qi in the chest area, especially the liver, benefiting mood and spirit, reducing anxiety and restoring mental and physical balances in the body. Hare’s ear root is also known as bupleurum, an herb native to eastern Asia. The herb looks like raw tea or elongated seeds, and is respected in China as being a “harmony herb.”
Peony Root Bark
Known as mu dan pi in Chinese, peony root bark is known as an herb that can settle the spirit or calm a condition known as heat, or fire, in the heart, which causes individuals to lose their spiritual connection with their body, resulting in depression and stress. Peony root bark restores harmony in the body, relieving symptoms of depression such as insomnia, and restoring shen, or mental harmony. An herbal formula combining peony and bupleurum is widely utilized to reduce irritability, mental instability and excessive emotions.
Cortex Albizzia Julbrissin (mimosa tree bark) is traditionally used to calm the spirit and relieve emotional constraint when the associated symptoms of bad temper, depression, insomnia, irritability and poor memory are present.
Mimosa tree flower is also used to relieve constrained Liver qi, and calm the spirit when the associated symptoms of insomnia, poor memory, irritability, epigastric pain, and feelings of pressure in the chest are present. Research has shown that the flower of the mimosa tree has a sedative effect.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical treatment designed to restore natural balances of qi, or energy, throughout the body. Acupuncture unblocks sluggish or slow channels of energy and blood flow, and mental outlook for conditions such as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, as well as bipolar depression. Acupuncture is often combined with herbal remedies and other modern methods of depression treatment protocols such as psychotherapy.
Aromatherapy
The following essential oils can promote calm and soothe stress:- Chamomile
- Clary sage
- Lavender
- Sandalwood
- Ylang Ylang.
- Bergamot
- Geranium
- Jasmine
- Melissa
- Neroli
- Rose
To ensure positive results, always check that the essential oil is a 100% pure plant distillation and that it comes from a reputable source.
Homeopathic Medicine
Owing to the principles behind homeopathy it is essential you see a licensed practitioner to receive your own personalised prescription. Find your closest Homeopath hereHere are some remedies that your practitioner may suggest:
- Aurum Metallicum (gold)
- Cimacifuga (black cohosh)
- Plumbum (lead)
- Podophyllum (May apple plant)
- Radium Bromatum (radium bromide)
- Viscum Album (mistletoe)
A different branch of homeopathy uses colours to stimulate the energy centres in the body. To make these remedies, coloured light is transformed into low potency dilutions and the colour remedies work directly on the energy system to stimulate, balance and tonify the chakras, which are the energy centres in the body. Indigo blue works on the brow chakra which controls and stimulates the pituitary functions and stimulates the mind. It can alleviate a “zombie-like” state. A dose of Indigo blue helps with emotional dramas, enabling the formation of clear thinking and allowing us to see the bigger picture when we are caught up in too much mental activity.
Gemstone Elixirs
Another therapy that can be used alongside homeopathy is gemstone elixirs. These are made from gems that have been found to have an affinity with the individual chakras or energy centers. Remedies made from diamond immersion have been useful for deep chronic depression. Rose quartz brings peace and calmness. Gemstone elixirs should be used only under the advice of a qualified homeopath.
Herbs
St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), which has been shown to act as a mild anti-depressant and to be useful for cases of anxiety and mild depression, as well as for sleep problems related to mental health disorders.Walnut tea, which contains high amounts of serotonin, a natural mood elevator.
The following can all promote calm and can help mitigate against the effects of stress.
- Chamomile
- Ginkgo biloba
- Milk thistle
- Passion flower
- Siberian ginseng
- Valerian root
Other
Bach Flower Remedies:Back flower remedies, discovered by British homeopathic physician Edward Bach in the early 20th century, are a safe and often highly effective self-care approach for dealing with a wide variety of mental health disorders. According to Dr. Bach, all illnesses are due, at least in part, to underlying mental and emotional issues that interfere with our connection with Spirit or divine energy. His research showed that energetic frequencies of the various 38 flower remedies he identified are able to resolve and heal mental and emotional imbalances to create overall health. The remedies are very easy to work with and in most cases patients can determine which remedies are most suited for their needs simply by referencing the following chart:
Agrimony—Suffering covered by a cheerful or brave facade. Distressed by argument or confrontation, may seek escape from pain or worry with addictive behavior through the use of food, drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol.
Aspen —Vague fears or anxiety of unknown origin. Apprehension, foreboding.
Beech—Critical, intolerant, or easily finding fault. May overreact with annoyance or irritability to the shortcomings of others.
Centaury—Willing servant, overly anxious to please, weak willed, or easily exploited/dominated by others. May neglect own needs to serve others. Avoids confrontation, difficulty saying “no.”
Cerato—Lacks confidence in own judgment. Little trust in inner guidance. Constantly seeks advice of others; therefore vulnerable to being misguided.
Cherry Plum—Fear of losing mental or physical control, of doing something desperate or violent. Tantrums, suicidal thoughts, impulse to do something thoughtless or known to be wrong. Fear of letting go. May be near nervous breakdown.
Chestnut Bud—Failure to learn from experience, repeats inappropriate patterns. Difficulty correcting mistakes.
Chicory—Loving, but with expectation of being loved in return. Possessive, emotionally needy, easily hurt or rejected.
Clematis—Lacks concentration, daydreams. Drowsy or “spacey” with a halfhearted interest in present circumstances. Inactive, ungrounded. Trouble materializing dreams.
Crab Apple—Cleansing remedy when feeling toxic, contaminated, or unclean. Ashamed of self-image. Fear of being contaminated. Need for cleanliness. Can be used to assist detoxification, if needed.
Elm—Overwhelmed by responsibilities. Normally capable, now doubts ability to perform tasks. Temporary feelings of inadequacy due to overload. Difficulty prioritizing.
Gentian—Mild despondency or discouragement due to setback, difficulty, or failed expectation. Negativity reverses easily with positive events or successes.
Gorse—Helplessness, hopelessness, sense of futility. Convinced situation will not improve; may not be willing to try remedies.
Heather—Self-centered, self-obsessed, or self-absorbed. Seeks the companionship of anyone who will listen to them. Constant chatterer, poor listener, unhappy if left alone.
Holly—Strongly felt negative feelings: hatred, envy, jealousy, suspicion, revenge, or wrath.
Honeysuckle—Dwelling in the past: old traumas, nostalgia, homesickness, regrets for happier times. Little expectation of future happiness.
Hornbeam—Mental fatigue and tiredness; procrastination. Weary before day or task begins, the “Monday morning” feeling. Difficulty starting.
Impatiens—Impatience, irritability, restlessness, or frustration with slow moving people and events. Quick in thought and action, requires all things to be done without delay. May prefer to work alone.
Larch—Lacks self-confidence despite being capable. Feels inferior. Anticipates failure; may refuse to make effort to succeed.
Mimulus– Everyday fear of known things: heights, public speaking, pain, water, illness, flying, poverty, other people, being alone, etc. For the shy, nervous, or timid personality type.
Mustard-Sudden deep gloom, depression, melancholia, or heavy sadness with no known cause. Condition may come and go.
Oak-Struggling on despite difficulties. Does not give up even if ill or overworked. Strong sense of responsibility and determination. Difficulty resting when exhausted.
Olive-Complete mental and physical exhaustion, sapped energy with no reserve-for example, after a long personal ordeal or illness.
Pine-Guilt or self-reproach, feels unworthy or undeserving. May blame self for another person’s mistakes. Not satisfied with own success.
Red Chestnut-Fear for the well-being of others, fearing the worst will happen to their loved ones.
Rock Rose-Terror or any great fear (panic, nightmares, etc.).
Rock Water-Self-denial. Strict, perhaps rigid, adherence to a living style or to religious, personal, or social disciplines. Tries to set an example.
Scleranthus– Difficulty in deciding between two choices, seeing value in both. Uncertainty.
Star of Bethlehem– Great unhappiness, grief, loss, trauma, after-effects of shock. Helpful after bereavement.
Sweet Chestnut– Unbearable anguish. Has reached the limits of endurance. Dark night of the soul, facing the abyss.
Vervain– Fixed ideas, over-enthusiasm. Attempts to teach, convert, convince, save the world. Champion of justice. Energetic, intense or driven.
Vine– Overly strong-willed, capable, may become dictatorial or tyrannical. May disregard rights or needs of others. May be power-hungry or merciless.
Walnut– Protection from negative influences or pressures and from the effects of change. Stabilizes emotionally during periods of transition: puberty, adolescence, menopause, aging, job change, new home, relationships, etc. Breaks links to past; facilitates freedom to move forward.
Water Violet– Loners, quiet, aloof, self-reliant. They go their own way and leave others to go theirs. Prefers to bear health or other challenges alone.
White Chestnut– Persistent unwanted thoughts. Mental arguments, worries, or repetitious thoughts that prevent peace of mind and disrupt concentration.
Wild Oat– Career uncertainty, unfulfilled ambition, or boredom with present status and course in life. Although capable and talented, is unclear on which of many paths to take. Frustration or dissatisfaction may result.
Wild Rose– Resigned or apathetic. Indifferent to life’s circumstances. Will surrender to health or other problems. Rarely complains. Little effort to improve things or find joy. Emotionally flat or dull.
Willow– Resentful or bitter toward life, blames others. Self-pity over misfortune (“Poor me!”). Sees self as victim.
Rescue Remedy®, an all-purpose flower essence treatment developed by Dr. Bach for general feelings of mental and emotional upset and stress, can also be useful.
The Bach flower essences, in addition to being safe, can also be used in conjunction with other therapeutic approaches, and have been shown to make remarkable differences in patients who initially failed to respond to other treatment approaches.
Exercise:
Get out in the sun and go for a walk, look at things far away.
Practice yoga – The physical postures and breathing exercises comprising the practice of yoga have long been proven by scientific research to promote feelings of relaxation while simultaneously strengthening the body. Research conducted since the 1970s has shown that regular yoga practice not only relieves stress, and stressful emotions such as anxiety and depression, but also improves blood pressure rates and overall cardiovascular health. Yoga is also effective for reducing pain, improving gastrointestinal and respiratory function, and for improving cognitive function and enhancing sight and hearing. Note: If you are just beginning to explore yoga, it is recommended that you initially do so under the guidance of a trained yoga instructor who can guide you to become aware of the subtleties involved in each yoga posture as well as the corresponding method of breathing.
Invest in a Teeter hang up unit (Inversion Table).
Use a Hyper-gravity and vibration plate: www.hypergravity.net.
Bouncing on a rebounder, taking an exercise class, stretching and playing physical games such as tennis or golf are all recommended forms of exercise to help combat depression.
Reflexology
Reflexology helps you clear away the stress and turmoil of everyday life. Your body will respond with gradually increasing mental and physical clarity as you experience the careful manipulation of specific reflex points on the foot. The reflex points to work on are the head, pituitary, diaphragm, lungs, kidneys and adrenals and thoracic vertebrae. Gentle pressure is applied to the points to stimulate the body’s own healing system and help boost the immune system. Find your closest Reflexology practitioner here.
Journaling
By regularly writing down your thoughts, beliefs, and emotions in a journal, you can help yourself to better understand the underlying issues in your life that can be contributing to your mental and emotional problems, gaining new insights in the process that can empower you to heal. Research has also shown that the daily practice of journaling can also help to improve physical health symptoms. In addition, journaling can be an effective way for releasing yourself from the chain of negative emotions linked to past traumas, as well as phobias. A specific journaling technique known as desensitization can help you to accomplish this. To deal with traumas, simply allow yourself to re-experience all that you can recall of the traumatic event. Write down everything that occurs to you as vividly as you can, so that you use all of your senses. Initially, you may feel the fears and other emotions you associate with the event. By writing about the event on a daily basis, however, eventually you will find yourself becoming detached from or desensitized to the event so that it no longer affects you. In the process, you may also discover elements of the experience that escaped you when the event happened, which can provide you with further clarity and peace of mind. You can work with phobias in a similar fashion. Instead of “reliving” a past event on paper, imagine an experience that would typically trigger your phobia. Over time, you will find that whatever you imagine has only the power over you that you give it, making it easier to let go of your fears.
Biological (Holistic) Dentistry: According to pioneering biological dentist Hal A. Huggins, D.D.S., many mental and emotional problems, including anxiety, depression, irritability, and suicidal tendencies, can significantly be improved, and in many cases completely eliminated, by removing toxic dental amalgams that contain mercury.
Biofeedback Training: Biofeedback training can result in dramatic improvements in patients’ ability to manage stress, thereby improving overall mental health symptoms. In addition, research has shown that biofeedback is also helpful for dealing with various mental health problems, including anxiety, chronic phobias, and hyperactivity (have we got a link to this)
Energy Psychology: Energy psychology combined with techniques from acupressure and kinesiology, often in conjunction with affirmations and healing breathing techniques can resolve blockages or disturbances in a person’s “bioenergy field,” sometimes referred to as the “aura.” According to the theory behind energy psychology, a large degree of mental and emotional problems have their root in the bioenergy field, where they affect us in much the same way that faulty software can cause problems in a computer’s hard drive. Practitioners of energy psychology have their patients think about or emotionally re-experience the mental and/or emotional problems that are causing them difficulties. As they do so, they also tap specific acupuncture meridian points in order to balance out and free trapped energies. Once this occurs, patients often find that they are completely free of their problems.
There are a variety of healing therapies that fall under the energy psychology umbrella, such as emotional freedom technique (EFT), Thought Therapy, and Energy Diagnostic and Treatment Methods (developed by Fred Gallo, Ph.D., who coined the phrase “energy psychology”). In recent years, such therapies have gained widespread acceptance among mental health professionals in the fields of both conventional and alternative medicine because of how effective they are for rapidly resolving a wide variety of mental health disorders.
Energy psychology has been shown to be particularly useful for treating addiction, anxiety, depression, panic disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders, and unhealthy feelings of chronic anger, guilt, loneliness, rage, and rejection.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Developed by psychologist Francine Shapiro, Ph.D., in 1990, EMDR has become one of the most rapidly growing therapies in the field of mind/body medicine, and is used by more than 20,000 psychotherapists as a primary treatment for a variety of mental health disorders, including addiction, anxiety, stress, and, most especially, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research has shown that EMDR has up to a 90 percent success rate for resolving PTSD caused by rape, natural disasters, catastrophic illness, the loss of a loved one, or other traumas. In most cases, complete resolution of PTSD occurs with three sessions or less of EMDR.
Juice Therapy: It is highly recommended that one does colon cleansing prior to juice therapy. Juice therapy involves juice fasting under the supervision of a holistic health practitioner. These short fasts can often improve overall mood, as well as aid the body in eliminating toxins that can trigger mental health problems.
Magnetic Therapy: According to Dr. Philpott, M.D., a variety of mental health disorders can be caused by electromagnetic imbalances in the body. If this is the case, then you can use magnetic therapy to correct and restore balance to your body’s electromagnetic system using magnets that are placed on various acupuncture meridian points on the body. In the field of psychiatry, magnetic therapy is replacing electro-convulsive therapy for depression and other major mental disorders. In addition, magnetic therapy is replacing tranquilizers, antidepressants and anti-seizure medications in the treatment of major mental disorders. Anxiety, tension, depression, obsessions and compulsions can be alleviated with a negative magnetic field application to the brain.
What follows are guidelines for using magnet therapy to help resolve mental health disorders:
The treatment for mental illnesses is, first and foremost, to eliminate all exposure to any and all foods, chemicals, and inhalants that cause allergic reactions, and to simultaneously improve nutrition levels. It is also important to calm the electrical activity and excessive dopamine production in the brain. In order to accomplish this, bilateral placement of a negative magnetic field on the right and left temporal areas provides maximum control. Usually, most mental symptoms can be controlled within ten minutes by using ceramic or neodymium disc magnets in this manner.
All those with mental illnesses should sleep on a magnetic bed pad, composed of 1 7/8 x 7/8 x 3/8 inch mini-block magnets placed 1½ inches apart. Also, place magnets at the crown of the head (four 4 x 6 x 1 inch magnets placed ¾ inches apart). These can be raised or lowered, depending on the height of the pillow, with the top of the head as close as possible to the magnets.
At night, sleep with a 5 x 12 inch multi-magnet flexible mat crosswise on the lower abdomen. In the center of this mat, place a 4 x 6 x ½ inch magnet lengthwise on the body, held in place with a 4 x 52 inch body wrap. This placement will help rid the body of any viral, fungal, or parasitic infections anywhere in the pelvic area. It will also stimulate the intestinal wall to produce melatonin, an important hormone for sleep and mood. At night, place a 5 x 12 inch double magnet, multi-magnet flexible mat with six mini-blocks 1½ inches apart on the positive pole side over the front of the chest; hold in place with a 4 x 52 inch body wrap. This treats the heart, lungs, thymus gland, and, in women, the breasts.
It is important to treat the heart with magnets because the water and oxygen flowing through the heart will be magnetized and carried to the entire body. Also, when sitting down, use a comfort chair pad with magnets in the seat and back.
For treating most mental symptoms, use the 1½ x ½ inch ceramic disc magnets; a headband can align the magnets bi-temporally. This treatment usually requires about ten minutes to relieve major symptoms, but the more hours of negative field magnetic exposure, the better.
For obsessive-compulsiveness, place a 4 x 6 x ½ inch ceramic magnet on the back of the head. An alternative is to place a 4 x 6 x 1/8 inch plastiform magnet directly over the occiput (base of the cranium at the back of the head), with a neodymium disc magnet over the center, as well as a ceramic disc on the left temporal area.
For anxieties and phobias, place a 1½ x ½ inch ceramic disc magnet on the left temporal area and another on the forehead. A negative magnetic field applied to the forehead encourages relaxation, increases alertness, and improves memory. The usual treatment is bi-temporal placement (just above and in front of the ears) of 1½ x ½ inch ceramic disc magnets, held in place with a 2 x 26 inch headband. This treatment is also effective for tension, depression, and obsessions.
Depression, delusions, and hallucinations are usually best handled with bi-temporal (in front of and near the top of the ears) placement of ceramic disc magnets. Centered in the temporal areas of the head are the amygdala; treating the amygdala can calm down the entire brain.
Orthomolecular Medicine: Orthomolecular medicine uses diet and nutritional supplements to treat mental health disorders. The term itself was first coined in 1968 by two-time Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling, Ph.D., to explain the connection between proper nutrition and mental health. However, the use of nutritional supplements to treat mental health conditions dates back to the 1950s and the work of physicians such as Carl Pfeiffer, Abram Hoffer, and Humprhey Osmond, who discovered that nutritional imbalances were often involved with mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, which is often accompanied by deficiencies of vitamin B3 (niacin). Since that time, numerous scientific studies have demonstrated the link between nutritional deficiencies and mental health problems, and have also shown that proper nutritional supplementation-sometimes at dosages far beyond those of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI)-can significantly improve overall mental and emotional health, as well as cognition and mental function, and can also result in healthier personal behavior. Despite the abundance of research that validates orthomolecular medicine’s effectiveness in this regard, conventional physicians and mental health specialists continue to ignore the powerful, positive effects it can provide.
Orthomolecular medicine requires the help of a health care professional trained in this field. In addition, the supplements that are used, along with their dosages, are individualized and based on each person’s unique biochemical and nutritional needs. To determine each patient’s nutritional requirements, orthomolecular physicians employ a variety of diagnostic tests to ascertain the values of as many as 120 different nutritional factors, based on blood, urine, and hair analysis, as well as such other factors as amino acid, protein, vitamin, mineral, enzyme, electrolyte, and histamine levels, as well as thyroid, kidney and liver function, and any possible food and environmental allergies.
Other simple but effective ways to lift your mood:
- Do something creative with your hands such as work in the garden, cook, make a puzzle, make a model, paint, play a musical instrument, do a good deed for somebody else.
- Play with a pet. Go to a zoo.
- Play a board game or cards with someone.
Other helpful therapies for treating mental health disorders include Acupressure, Acupuncture, Applied Kinesiology, Bodywork (Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Feldenkrais, and Rolfing), Chiropractic, Craniosacral Therapy, Detoxification Therapy, Energy Medicine (electrodermal screening, Ondamed), Environmental Medicine, Guided Imagery, Hypnotherapy, Mind/Body Medicine, Naturopathic Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, Sound Therapy. See Glossary for descriptions.
Yoga – The physical postures and breathing exercises comprising the practice of yoga have long been proven by scientific research to promote feelings of relaxation while simultaneously strengthening the body. Research conducted since the 1970s has shown that regular yoga practice not only relieves stress, and stressful emotions such as anxiety and depression, but also improves blood pressure rates and overall cardiovascular health. Yoga is also effective for reducing pain, improving gastrointestinal and respiratory function, and for improving cognitive function and enhancing sight and hearing.
Note: If you are just beginning to explore yoga, it is recommended that you initially do so under the guidance of a trained yoga instructor who can guide you to become aware of the subtleties involved in each yoga posture as well as the corresponding method of breathing.
Qigong – Is a wonderful form of exercise, breath work and meditation to relieve stress and tension in the body. See article section for more information about the art of qigong.
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