Ayurvedic Treatment for Depression

All along, it had been believed that Ayurveda involves certain herbal remedies for physical ailments, but with the focus being shifted to mental ailments that are causing a huge population of the younger generation to fall into depression, it is important to note that Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to mental health that integrates the mind, body and soul. Ayurveda defines mental health as a state of mental, intellectual and spiritual well-being. Mental ailments are caused by accumulated toxins in the body and mind.

The accumulation of toxins in the body is termed Ama. Psychologically, Ama arises from holding on to negative emotions and undigested experiences.

The guiding principle of Ayurveda is that the mind exerts the deepest influence on the body and freedom from sickness depends upon contacting our own awareness, bringing it into balance and extending that balance to the body. Its focus is on prevention through correct diet, exercise, meditation and cultivation of the right attitude.

What is Depression

Depression is a mental disorder that impacts the way you live your life be it eating, sleeping or talking. Depression is one of the most challenging disorders that today’s generation is grappling with, with so much stress and fatigue; arising out of competition, unhealthy lifestyle as well as a highly polluted environment. Depression can be of varying degrees and can stretch from mild to severe, and can lead to sleeplessness, anxiety, anger, excessive fear or timidity, even driving the afflicted person to commit suicide. Ayurveda has excellent medicines for such psychiatric disorders.

Though symptoms may vary from person to person, some common symptoms include:

• Persistent sadness and anxiousness.
• Feeling of hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, worthlessness, helplessness
• Loss of interest in daily activities that they used to love previously
• Laziness and feeling of lassitude to do the things
• Difficulty in concentrating, remembering and making decisions
• Disturbed sleep
• Developing of eating disorders, either over eating or loss of appetite
• Suicidal thoughts or fear of loss of loved ones
• Restlessness and irritability
• Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Depression

Ayurvedic treatment for depression are chiefly with herbs that are classified as ‘Medhya Rasayanas’. These herbs promote the intellect and nourish the neurological tissues. They are nervine tonics. Ayurveda favours the use of combinations of herbs that meet the specific needs of each patient. The Medhya Rasayanas enhance biological nourishment of the brain, producing tranquillity of mind, concentration and improved memory. Apart from herbal remedies, lifestyle therapies like yoga and meditation are very helpful in the entire treatment.

Itoozhi Ayurveda is a pioneer in lifestyle therapies including mental health ailments and has a dedicated team to take care of such issues. With an excellent infrastructure to support the team, this is the best place you can reach out to incase of any ailments.

A few Ayurvedic medicines that can help the cure are Manasa mitra vatakam, Sarvthaiaristam, Brahmi ghirta, Kalyank ghirtam, Mahakalyana ghirtam, Maha panchagavya ghrtam, Sarswathi ghrtam, Panchagandha churnam, Sarsvatha churnam, Dasamoola aristam and Unmada gajakesri rasa. Oils like Brahmi tailam, Mnjisthadi tailam, Nirgundi tailam help in soothing nerves and gives a calming effect to the mind.