Herbal remedies for depression...adaptogens?

Many people in the pursuit of herbal remedies for depression have discovered adaptogens. These are herbs that assist us in adapting to stress and improving our moods, hence the name adaptogens.

They may be a way of getting depression help naturally.

Some of the common adaptogens are: Siberian Ginseng, Rhodiola Rosea (Golden Root), Maca Extract, Wolfberry and Ashwaghandra.

The name adaptogen was given to this special group of herbs by a Russian scientist, Dr. Nicolai Lazarev, who first discovered them in 1947. Since then, numerous studies have been done which suggest that they help the body in many ways.

The term adaptogen has yet to be accepted by conventional medicine.

These herbs have been used extensively in Indian Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for many centuries to prevent stress-induced diseases and as herbal remedies for depression.

How can adaptogens help?

Adaptogens function in:

• Improving moods, stress, anxiety and depression

• Improving circulation and eliminating toxins

• Normalizing the central nervous system and endocrine system

• Preventing the body’s inflammatory response from going out of control

• Boosting the immune system

• Helping with physical endurance

How can they work as herbal remedies for depression?

They fit in with the theory that our bodies go through three stages of stress progression:

The alarm phase:
In this initial phase stress can be in the form of demanding athletic training, exposure to toxins, psychological trauma and other stressors.

The adaptation phase:
The body in this phase is trying to adapt and adjust to the stress. The longer we can stay in this phase the better as it is usually is a safe period.

The exhaustion phase:
This is where the body gives up and we become aware of disease symptoms. This period can take months or years to develop.

Adaptogens help the body to stay in the adaptation phase. This will prevent the exhaustion or disease phase from developing as the body continues to adjust to the stress.

How do you take them?

As ground-up herbs:
These come in capsule form but there is doubt as to whether they can be efficiently absorbed.

As dried extracts in capsule form:
There is a possibility that this may contain non-organic herbs that have been contaminated with benzene or ether as part of the extraction process.

In tincture form:
This is an effective way of taking adaptogens as the extraction process ensures a high level of potency. Add the drops to one ounce of water, hold it in your mouth for about one minute and then swallow it.

In the form of teas:
Teas can be made by steeping 2-3 teaspoons in one cup of boiled water for 1-15 minutes.Adaptogens can be absorbed effectively in the form of teas.

Adaptogens should be taken regularly for at least one month to get the benefits. Also, as they stimulate, it is best to take them in the morning.

(Similar to all the other herbs that are considered to be herbal remedies for depression, more clinical trials on their pharmaceutical action are needed to substantiate the many claims. To date, most studies have been performed on laboratory animals only.)

Do I take them?

Yes. As part of my cleansing plan, I add many adaptogens to my nutritional drink every morning in the form of teas. This is a commercial adaptogen formulation (email me for its name) that, I believe, acts as a general health tonic. In my case, I believe, it also acts as one of the herbal remedies for depression.

Adaptogens, when combined with nutritional cleansing, supports my effort to keep depression away by providing as much natural power to the body as possible.

It’s using the Body-Mind Connection for depression help. Let’s cleanse the body to clear the mind.

There are other herbs that may provide natural depression help

The Herbal Hall of Fame: Ginseng Benefits

The Adaptogen Hall of Fame: Rhodiola Antidepressant

The Adaptogen Hall of Fame: Ashwagandha for Anxiety and Depression

The Adaptogen Hall of Fame: Maca Extract

Benefits of St. Johns Wort for Depression

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