Yes, it is possible to find a natural cure for depression. Depression is more than just feeling blue. Everyone feels sad once in awhile. Depression interferes with daily life and normal functioning. It has a major impact on a person and those around him or her. Depression may cause weight loss/gain and sleep problems. Symptoms include feelings of sadness, worthlessness, hopelessness and guilt. Lack of energy, fatigue, changes in sleep or eating patterns and difficulty concentrating can also signal depression.
Depression is closely related to anxiety, so check out home remedies for anxiety, as well. Depression also can go hand in hand with pain...so if you are suffering from arthritis, back pain or migraines, look into home remedies for those issues as well.
Postpartum women are especially prone to depression and anxiety. If you recently had a baby, check out our special section on postpartum depression and anxiety below.
Note:Major depression requires the help of a professional. If home remedies aren't working or you are having thoughts of suicide, seek professional help.
However, minor depression can often be treated at home, by making a few changing in your life and dietary habits. Check this page out and find YOUR natural cure for depression.
Coffee...yes you read that right. Coffee may actually combat depression. A 10-year study of 86,626 nurses found that women who drink two to three cups of coffee a day lowered their risk of suicide by 66% percent.3,5 Wow!! Who would have thought that! However, do note that depression is closely linked to insomnia, so avoid coffee close to bedtime.
Speaking of insomnia, if you suffer from it, check out these home remedies for insomnia. You may just find that getting more sleep at night relieves your depression.
I'm sure you've heard about the benefits of cod liver oil and omega-3 fatty acids. Well, one of the many benefits is that fish oil is a natural cure for depression. Woman who eat fish regularly are less likely to become depressed than those who don't.5 In fact, studies have shown that fish oil is more effective than placebo in combating depression. ap If you don't like fish, try fish oil supplements, just be sure to look for a high quality supplement that has been purified of mercury and other contaminants. Our family's preferred brand is Green Pasture's Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil - 120 CapsulesVitamins & Supplements). When I remember to take fermented cod liver oil on a regular basis, I find that my mood is much improved. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts and flaxseed. Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids are so important because the brain is comprised mainly of fat. You need fat for a healthy brain, and a healthy brain causes a healthy mood. Click here to learn more about fish oil health benefits.
Exercise will definitely help. I bet that is no surprise to you. Numerous studies have shown that people who exercise are at less risk of experiencing depression than those who don't. 5 Aerobic exercise seems to be the best, as is exercise conducted outdoors.
Turn up the radio and sing out loud! Music therapy helps the depressed. It doesn't matter whether you are singing, playing an instrument or merely listening to music. Just pick something you like and enjoy!. 5
St. John's Wort is a popular herbal remedy for depression. A standard dose is 900 mg/day...divided into 2-3 different doses.2,4Do Not take St. John's Wort if you are taking any other prescription medications (especially prescription anti-depressants) without consulting your doctor.5 Learn more about the benefits of St Johns Wort.
SAM-e or S-adenosyl-methionine is another natural cure for depression. However, there is some controversy over its use, so do consult your doctor. Several studies show promise for Sam-e as working faster and being more effective than prescription medications. 4,5 This cure for depression may be just what you need to get you feeling yourself again. Do be sure to take SAM-e with B-vitamins, especially B 6 and B12, as SAM-e can increase homocysteine levels, and those B vitamins will keep the levels down.
Light therapy will be helpful, not just for SAD (seasonal affective disorder), but for regular depression as well. Typically, one sits in front of a 10,000 lux light for 30-120 minutes each day. However, there are some risks involves, so consult your doctor first. 5. As a general rule, this natural cure for depression is more effective the longer you do it.
The sun! People are so in love with natural sunshine that the term "sun-worshiper" was born. Get out in the sun and have some fun...especially without sunscreen. Sunshine is necessary for vitamin D production, and sunscreen prevents the body from manufacturing Vitamin D. Of course, you want to make sure you won't burn, but getting out in the sun for 20-30 minutes a day can make a huge difference in your mental and physical health. This one natural cure for depression won't cost you a dime.
On that same note...get out of the house. Getting out for at least several hours a day makes a huge difference. Even better if some or most of that time involves social activities. Friends are important, and even more so if you are depressed. Studies show that people who are connected to several different groups live longer. 3
People who have deep spiritual lives and belong to a strong community of like-minded believers are less depressed. So, nurture your spiritual side and seek out a community of others who do the same.
On that same note, don't suppress your feelings of depression. Surround yourself with good friends with which you feel comfortable expressing yourself. If you don't have any good friends, then try expressing yourself in other ways..through a journal or poetry...whatever suits you.
Volunteer work is a great way to get out of the house, meet new people and help others. If you volunteer for something like Habitat for Humanity, you can add exercise and natural sunshine into that mix. What could be better? That's hitting three depression-fighting strategies with just one activity!.
Watch our for diets. I bet it's no surprise to you than dieting can make you depressed! Actually, the way it works is that dieting causes tryptophan (an important amino acid found in turkey) to drop. Most people can adjust just fine to this drop, but woman who have previously suffered from depression may not be able to. Speak with your doctor if you are planning a diet and have a previous history of depression. 3
Get plenty of folate, a B-vitamin. Depressed people often have low levels of folate. 3 Lentils, garbanzo beans, asparagus, spinach, beef liver, beets and broccoli are all high in folate. Other B vitamins are also vital...especially B6 and B12. B vitamin deficiency has been linked with depression and fatigue 4,12 so increasing levels of these important vitamins can be just the natural cure for depression you are looking for. Learn more facts about vitamin b.
Selenium is a vital mineral. Studies have found that people with higher levels of selenium are happier and more confident. Selenium is also important for maintaining energy levels. 3 Beef, poultry, brazil nuts, garlic and whole grains are all excellent sources of selenium.
A massage can be quite the relaxing natural cure for depression. The healing power of massage can provide just the healing touch you need to lift your spirits. 4
Calcium and Magnesium are also very important. In fact, magnesium helps calm the nerves. Magnesium deficiency can cause anxiety and depression, so look into a supplement if this is you. Learn more magnesium facts. If you are looking for extra calcium, dolomite and bone meal are both excellent sources. 12
Green oats help with depression. Green oat tincture can be found at many health food stores. Take 1 tsp of tincture in 1 cup of water, twice each day. The anti-depressive effects of green oats have long been known...in fact that is where the term "sowing your wild oats" comes from. 2
Ginseng is another wonderful natural cure for depression. Take 400 mg capsules 2-3 times each day, before meals. The capsules should be 1% eleutherosides..the active ingredient.2 Learn more ginseng benefits.
Gingko, I'm sure you've heard about the health benefits of gingko..especially for those who are of more mature age. Gingko can relieve mild depression and help with memory loss. Aim to take a 80 mg capsule, three times each day. 2 Learn more about the gingko tree.
Allergies can cause depression. In fact, sometimes depression can be the only symptom of an allergy. Of course everyone knows about food allergies, but it's possible to be allergic to much more than just food. Many environmental factors can cause allergy...pesticides, leaking freon from a refrigerator, even hydrocarbons from heating oil. 12
Food allergies CAN also be a culprit. Give your diet an overhaul. Depression is frequently caused by hidden food allergies. Yes, these allergies are hidden...it's not a typical allergy where you eat strawberries and then break out in hives. Hidden food allergies can wreak havoc on you, without you even knowing it! Gluten (found in wheat, rye, barley, etc.) is one of the most common hidden food allergies. Several people have cured their depression simply by eliminating gluten from their diet. While eliminating gluten is a major step, it certainly won't hurt you to try it! Most people see a difference rather rather quickly.
Postpartum Depression and Breastfeeding: Postpartum women are especially vulnerable to depression. Studies have shown that depression is linked to inflammation in postpartum women. Breastfeeding, exercise and anti-inflammatory substances (ie. fish oil, St. John's wort) are all effective treatments. ap
Actually, omega-3 fatty acids are very important in the prevention of depression in pregnant women as well. ap
B-vitamins are of course very important to breastfeeding mothers. Recent studies have shown that moderate consumption of riboflavin is protective again postpartum depression and is a natural cure for depression.
Infant Massage is also very important in the treatment of depression. Studies have shown that infant massage can help lower depression and improve mother-baby interactions. ap. It's the healing power of touch!
Many breastfeeding mothers have success taking St. John's wort as a natural cure for depression. 6
Lemon balm tea, chamomile tea, lavender tea, rose tea and blessed thistle tea are able able to lift your spirits. These herbs all are a natural cure for depression, especially for breastfeeding mothers. Do note however that in very large amounts, blessed thistle can increase milk production. Learn more about chamomile tea benefits and dried lavender flower.
Have you cured depression naturally? Let others benefit from your experience. Share your story please!
Do you have a great story about this? Share it!
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Eliminating sweets, especially sugar substitutes!
Not rated yet
As much as I hate to say it, because I LOVE my sweet treats, I have found a direct correlation between having a lot of sweets and feeling depressed over ...
EFT is very helpful for Depression
Not rated yet
I have found that EFT is very helpful for depression. EFT (Emotional Freedom Therapy) is sort of along the lines of acupuncture in that it taps into the ...
My depression story
Not rated yet
I can't say that I have cured my depression I have suffered from all of my life, however I have several ways of keeping it from taking over my life.
Rest...
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.
Note:Major depression requires the help of a professional. If home remedies aren't working or you are having thoughts of suicide, seek professional help. 
. When I remember to take fermented cod liver oil on a regular basis, I find that my mood is much improved. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts and flaxseed. Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids are so important because the brain is comprised mainly of fat. You need fat for a healthy brain, and a healthy brain causes a healthy mood. Click here to learn more about 
