You’ve probably already read, have seen or watched testimonials about calming herbs and how they can help with anxiety and depression. I am a firm believer, have seen many times, and experienced personally the wonderful healing properties that natural medicines provide for the permanent relief of any symptom you may be experiencing. But don’t take my word for it because even conventional doctors are now using supplements for their patients, along with the ever growing field of integrative medicine.

Supplements add to your nutritional health and so to gain the most from them, your core eating habits must be optimal for healing. You can’t eat donuts and coffee for breakfast and expect the supplements to work very well. Also, exercise has been proven to be as effective as any prescription drug like such as Prozac. Not enough sunlight can cause a deficiency in Vitamin D, especially in the winter also causing depressive symptoms. Lastly getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night can help regulate hormones and ease stress.

There are many factors at work in feelings of anxiety, stress and depression including thyroid function, the hormones estrogen and testosterone, along with low levels of the brain neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Supplementing and your daily lifestyle choices mentioned above can go a long way in helping to balance your health. But, if you still are feeling anxiety and depression you can try the following list of supplements on your own, making sure to use only one particular supplement at a time, along with lifestyle choices, or make an appointment with a doctor at an integrative medical center which combines traditional medicine along with alternative treatments. Integrative medicine for depression and anxiety can include calming herbs in medicinal form, acupuncture, and treatments aimed at the whole being and not just one piece of the illness puzzle. Read the rest of this entry »