15 natural antidepressants (with explanation of their benefits)

Depression is a psychological problem that requires the intervention of mental health professionals, both psychologists and psychiatrists.

However, although it is always preferable to go to therapy, we can introduce several into our lifestyle foods and natural compounds that can help us to reduce and prevent the symptoms of the pictures depressive

Next we will discover various natural antidepressants that are very easy to obtain and whose regular consumption contributes to regulate the mood, although it does not serve to cure psychological disorders.

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15 natural antidepressants: characteristics and how to use them

We can consider as natural antidepressants any element that contains one or more active ingredients that helps to regulate the state of mind. These are natural remedies, while their therapeutic or potentially preventive properties of mood problems are found naturally in the plant or animal from which the product has been extracted final.

This type of antidepressant They are not as powerful as psychotropic drugs or as effective as going to a psychologist in case of depressionHowever, they can be a good option to keep the mood regulated in addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Certain plants taken in the form of infusion or herbal medicine pills are not only natural antidepressants, but they would also be found from this group foods such as fish, citrus fruits or legumes because they contain vitamins and nutrients that contribute to good health mental.

Here we are going to talk about three main groups of natural antidepressants: herbal remedies, "natural" pills, and foods with antidepressant properties.

Herbal remedies

Within this group we would find all the plants that, taken both in the form of infusion and ingested, are believed to have a certain therapeutic value in regulating mood.

1. Grass of San Juan

St. John's wort or St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a yellow flower widely known in the history of medicine. It is considered a very effective herbal remedy against depression, perhaps the most effective, and it is easy to find in herbalists.

Typically marketed as a dietary supplement that produces similar effects to SSRIs, this being one of the main antidepressant drugs used in psychiatric therapy such as example fluoxetine, which inhibits serotonin reuptake and changes dopamine levels and norepinephrine.

The administration of St. John's wort is usually in the form of an infusion with this herb and, In addition to regulating the mood, it is useful as an anti-inflammatory for muscle aches and pains. spasms

It is usually recommended to take it in late summer to avoid what is known as seasonal affective disorder and also to combat post-vacation syndrome. It can also be taken to calm anxiety.

2. Rhodiola rosea

The Rhodiola rosea, commonly called rhodiola, is an herb that is consumed because it is believed to provide high levels of energy. Rhodiola It is consumed dry, taking doses between 250 and 750 mg a day maximum, in one or two doses, helping to reduce fatigue, tiredness and anhedonia, which is why it is used to combat depression.

But in addition to being useful for treating mild depression naturally, rhodiola is traditionally used to stimulate sexual activity and properties have also been attributed anticancer. In fact, this vegetable is widely consumed in the Nordic countries, and it has also been taken there to avoid hair loss, fight infertility and withstand the harsh climatic conditions of the places cold

3. Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is an especially useful plant for people over 50 years of age, especially because they improve the circulation and reduces brain damage associated with aging, changes that can alter the state of cheer up. Nit is normally recommended to consume it at low doses, between about 100 and 200 mg a day and the extract of this plant has been seen to contribute to the levels of serotonin, the hormone of happiness.

4. Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula latifolia), in addition to being a quite beautiful plant, has also been used as a natural remedy to combat health problems, including depressive symptoms. This vegetable helps reduce stomach symptoms, promoting appetite, relieving colic and nausea. It is usually taken in the form of an infusion or in the form of pastries.

5. Basil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is used in the form of an essential oil to take baths and also in aromatherapy to induce relaxation. Its benefits are also used by being consumed in the form of an infusion, being advisable to do it every night, before going to sleep, reducing anxiety, fatigue and having antidepressant properties.

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6. Borage

BorageBorago officinalis) prevents contributes to enhancing emotional well-being. Its consumption is recommended at night, before going to sleep, as with basil infusions. It can be consumed both in the form of tea and juice, depending on the time of year and how you prefer to drink.

7. Damiana

The damiana (Turnera diffusa) is considered one of the best natural antidepressants that we can find in herbalists. This plant has antidepressant properties, in addition to being an aphrodisiac, laxative and natural stimulant because it stimulates the spinal centers, helping in urination. It also helps the hormonal system, being used for postpartum depression and menopause.

Natural pills

There are many natural pills made to fight depression. As we have mentioned, They are not as powerful as psychotropic drugs, nor are they as effective as psychotherapy, but they can be a good option for milder depression and also as a less invasive measure to treat it.

8. Animus

The Animus is a natural food supplement, made up of saffron and vitamin B6 which helps to keep the mood stable, contributes to emotional balance and induces relaxation. This pill can be found both in pharmacies and herbalists and its administration consists of one oral intake per day.

9. Courage

Courage is a natural pill used to regulate mood. This is achieved thanks to its composition, made from five nutrients with psychoregulatory capacity: B1, B2, B12, niacin and magnesium, in addition to combining other minerals. It is used as a food supplement taking a daily dose.

10. Gaba 50

Gaba 50 are tablets whose effects help reduce anxiety, help to fall asleep and also has anticonvulsant and antispastic properties. One of its therapeutic or secondary effects, depending on what it is used for, is that it reduces appetite. Among its components we find vitamin B6 and magnesium, it can be obtained in herbalists and drugs and should be taken once a day.

Antidepressant foods

Finally we enter the group of antidepressant foods. Here we are going to group them based on the nutrient associated with therapeutic effects for depression. The main ones are the following.

11. Foods rich in folic acid

In different studies it has been concluded that the absence of folic acid is a common condition in depressed people. Therefore, to avoid the problems related to their scarcity, they should be taken foods rich in this nutrient, among which we can find peanuts, citrus fruits, vegetables, milk and cereals.

12. Omega-3 foods

Omega-3 can help reduce depressive symptoms. These are natural fatty acids that, in addition to helping with low mood, can help prevent anxiety states. This nutrient must be incorporated through the diet since the body does not manufacture.

It is found naturally in oily fish, nuts, vegetables, oats, quinoa, olive oil, egg yolk and shellfish, the Mediterranean diet being especially rich in omega-3s.

13. Foods rich in L-tryptophan

Tryptophan is an amino acid that is involved in the production of serotonin, thereby influencing mood. Its consumption induces states of relaxation and tranquility, which is why the consumption of foods with L-tryptophan serves to prevent the symptoms of anxious-depressive pictures.

Tryptophan is obtained through diet and, once the body has obtained it, it converts it into niacin, serotonin and melatonin. Among the foods that contain this nutrient we have bananas, pineapples, mangoes, dates, avocados, sesame, oats, almonds, pumpkin seeds, turkey, chicken, beef, eggs and cheese.

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14. Foods with vitamin B

Vitamin B is high in folacin or folic acid. These types of vitamins are of great importance for the regeneration of the nervous system and, although they are not strictly a natural antidepressant, they do exert a protective function of the same, restoring the tissue highly strung. We can find vitamin B in many foods, such as shellfish, organ meats, fish, dairy, eggs, chickpeas, spinach, oats, carrots, buckwheat, and avocados.

15. Spice

Finally, among the foods with antidepressant properties we find three spices: saffron, turmeric and cayenne pepper.

Saffron is a fairly expensive spice that has a very powerful effect in treating depression. This food protects the levels of serotonin and dopamine contributing to the regulation of mood.

Then we have turmeric, a food that contains curcumin, a compound that is considered a natural antidepressant. This spice can increase the level of serotonin, inducing a better mood and greater tranquility. It also increases dopamine in the brain, regulating emotions.

Finally we find cayenne pepper that thanks to its compound, capsaicin, manages to stimulate the production of endorphins, the same substances that are produced after having done physical activity and that cause a sensation of pleasure and peace mental.