Natural antidepressants to improve your mental health
Can natural antidepressants help? Here's what you need to know
Depression and anxiety were the most common mental health issues in India in the year 2017. Fortunately, people have started understanding and speaking up about mental health conditions, but there is still a long way to go. Antidepressants, as the name suggests, are medicines used to relieve the symptoms of these conditions. These medicines correct the chemical imbalance in the brain and neurotransmitters that are responsible for mood and behaviour. In many cases, these antidepressants become a habit and it becomes difficult to get off them.
But there are certain foods, herbs and minerals that can act as a natural antidepressant and treat mental health issues. Apart from clinical help, people suffering from mental health issues can also try using these natural ways to relieve the symptoms and accelerate the process of getting better. Here's the list of natural antidepressants:
Saffron
According to some experts, saffron can help in treating mental illness and reduce the risk of such disorders in the first place. Further research needs to be done to confirm how effective is saffron in treating depression or anxiety. You must consult your doctor before including saffron in your daily diet, as too much consumption can also have side effects.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil is linked with the reduction of stress and anxiety. While this oil cannot substitute any medicine, it can help in relieving the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Using lavender oil otherwise can reduce the risk of mental health issues.
Folate
There is a link between low levels of folic acid and depression. Taking 500 micrograms of folic acid has been linked with improved mental health. One easy way to increase your folate levels is by consuming folate-rich foods daily. Some examples of folate-rich foods are beans, lentils, dark leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, avocados and fortified seeds.
Zinc
Nutrient zinc is linked with mental functions such as learning and behaviour. Low levels of zinc in the blood is associated with anxiety and depression, according to Biological Psychiatry.
According to Nutrition Neuroscience, taking 25 milligrams of zinc supplement daily for 12 weeks can help reduce symptoms of depression. Taking sufficient zinc can also increase the amount of available omega 3 fatty acids in the body.
Depression and anxiety were the most common mental health issues in India in the year 2017. Fortunately, people have started understanding and speaking up about mental health conditions, but there is still a long way to go. Antidepressants, as the name suggests, are medicines used to relieve the symptoms of these conditions. These medicines correct the chemical imbalance in the brain and neurotransmitters that are responsible for mood and behaviour. In many cases, these antidepressants become a habit and it becomes difficult to get off them.
But there are certain foods, herbs and minerals that can act as a natural antidepressant and treat mental health issues. Apart from clinical help, people suffering from mental health issues can also try using these natural ways to relieve the symptoms and accelerate the process of getting better. Here's the list of natural antidepressants:
Saffron
According to some experts, saffron can help in treating mental illness and reduce the risk of such disorders in the first place. Further research needs to be done to confirm how effective is saffron in treating depression or anxiety. You must consult your doctor before including saffron in your daily diet, as too much consumption can also have side effects.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil is linked with the reduction of stress and anxiety. While this oil cannot substitute any medicine, it can help in relieving the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Using lavender oil otherwise can reduce the risk of mental health issues.
Folate
There is a link between low levels of folic acid and depression. Taking 500 micrograms of folic acid has been linked with improved mental health. One easy way to increase your folate levels is by consuming folate-rich foods daily. Some examples of folate-rich foods are beans, lentils, dark leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, avocados and fortified seeds.
Zinc
Nutrient zinc is linked with mental functions such as learning and behaviour. Low levels of zinc in the blood is associated with anxiety and depression, according to Biological Psychiatry.
According to Nutrition Neuroscience, taking 25 milligrams of zinc supplement daily for 12 weeks can help reduce symptoms of depression. Taking sufficient zinc can also increase the amount of available omega 3 fatty acids in the body.