Depression? – Try Ayurvedic Treatment

Mental depression incorporates various conditions from temporary mood swings, to consistent feelings of dejection over a period of time to severe melancholia with serious repercussions. People tend to take depression for granted, dismissing it as integral to a person’s natural disposition but in reality, it is a clinical condition that needs to be diagnosed for possible causes and then treated accordingly. Regular physical activity and exercise have been effective in fighting chronic cases of Depression.  Studies have found that ayurveda is a gentle, natural, and effective means of attending to depression without the side effects that most strong medicines are likely to produce.

Ayurveda is a holistic system of health care that aims at balancing energies in order to achieve optimum health and well-being for an individual. Practiced for over 5,000 years Ayurveda is India’s traditional and natural system of medicine that believes that there can be no mental health without physical health as the mind (consciousness) and body (physical mass) are inseparably integrated. Ayurvedic Treatment is compatible with other forms of medication but it is always prudent to check with the Doctor, if the herbs and other ingredients prescribed in ayurveda will interact in any way with standard medication. Ayurveda seeks to arrive at a complete understanding of the nature and cause of condition before the treatment commences.

Ayurveda has identified two main causes of depression – an imbalance in the three ‘Dosha-s’ of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha and a lack of awareness of one’s inner Self. The ‘Dosha-s’ are actually bioenergetic forces that govern and determine our health and physical condition. According to Ayurveda, depression is a classic sign of imbalance in the body that leads to many further complications, if ignored.

Vata induced depression – Generally associated with fear, anxiety, nervousness and sleeplessness. It is supposed to be aggravated by loneliness.

Pitta induced depression – Generally associated with the fear of failure or of making mistakes; often leads to anger followed by suicidal tendencies. Pitta depression may occur in a mild form to people who are addicted to success and may lot assume too severe a form. It is sometimes seasonal and is more frequent in winter.

Kapha induced depression – Kapha depression creates a feeling of being weighed down and is associated with excess sleep, sleepiness, obesity and a general feeling of being wasted.

Medications used in Ayurveda –Ayurveda uses plenty of herbs that have a calming influence on the nervous system and the brain. The most commonly used ingredients include Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Vachaa, Mandook parni and Guduchi. Apart from these many Ayurvedic medicines have also been patented in the Indian market.  The most commonly used oils are Brahmi oil, Sesame seed oil and Coconut oil.

External treatments in Ayurveda have also been perfected over the years.

Ayurveda stresses on the regular practice of Yoga for general health and well being as well as for cure and prevention in specific ailments.