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The prevalence of depression is rising fast due to the materialistic lifestyle of modern society due to materialistic and fast lifestyles. A major depressive disorder is characterized by a depressed mood which triggers a lack of interest in activities which one would normally enjoy performing. Bipolar disorder causes fluctuation in mood. Life events like death, divorce, or illness are the most common factors that cause depression. Proper counseling and emotional support can help the person recover from depression and return to normality.
Ayurveda and Depression
Ayurveda attributes depression to an imbalance of Vata, pitta, and Kapha doshas as well as to general ignorance about self. It advocates a variety of techniques to lift the mental state of a person. The medication prescribed includes meditation, avoiding non-vegetarian food, eating a lot of fruits, and drinking a lot of water. It is also recommended that one should go early to bed, take meals at specific times of the day, walking long distances in the morning light, and putting the body in a balanced and active state. Therapies like Rasayanas, head massage (like sirovasti, thalam), and meditation are practiced in Ayurvedic depression cure treatments.
Causes of Depression
- Heredity
- Physiology
- Childhood or early life experiences
- Side effects of certain medicines
- Psychological factors
- Stressful life
- Imbalanced diet
- Alcohol consumption
Symptoms of Depression
- Continuous feeling of guilt
- Persistently sad and anxious
- Loss of confidence
- Negativity in thoughts and attitude
- Fatigue
- Unable to concentrate
- Irritation
- Loss of sleep and appetite
- Feelings of hopelessness, pessimism
- Social isolation
- Crying spells
- Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
- Headache, digestive disorders, and/or chronic pain
Ayurvedic Treatment for Depression
Ayurveda prescribes taking herbs like Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Brahmi (Bacopa), Cardamom, Guggul (Commiphora Mukul), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) for curing depression. The following treatment is prescribed:
- Ayurveda massages and medicines like Rasayana restore tridosha balance should be taken. It gives an immediate cooling effect to the head.
- Take herbs such as anise, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, Gotu kola, licorice, nutmeg, sesame seeds, and valerian for balancing the Vata dosh
- Ayurveda recommends abhyanga (oil massage) daily. It needs to be taken either to the whole body, time permitting, or at least to the head and the soles of the feet
- Take 1 teaspoon of the herb dashamoola in 1 cup of hot water twice a day.
- Take tea prepared from equal proportions of ashwagandha and brahmi (about 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon each) 2 or 3 times a day
- Rub the top of the head and the soles of the feet with sesame oil. This will help to sooth vata
- Practice yoga and Pranayama daily for calming the mind and balancing mental state.
- Periodic counseling of a physician to identify the root cause of the depression
