Natural Ayurvedic Herbs to Alleviate Symptoms of Depression
Updated: Oct 10
Herbs, food as medicine, and Ayurvedic lifestyle tools may provide support in nourishing your body, mind, and soul.
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Ayurvedic Herbs to Alleviate Symptoms of Depression
Depression is a condition that impacts millions of people across the globe. It can impact people of all ages and from all walks of life. The best Ayurvedic medicine for depression can treat depression and improve emotional health.
Some people experience depression after a specific event. In other cases, depression is completely organic. The hows and whys of depression aren't what's important. What matters is that you find a form of treatment that works for you.
Understanding Depression
It's normal to feel sad at times, but depression is much more than that. When a person is depressed, they can lose access to their essential self. Depression is a persistent condition that can interfere with day-to-day function.
Depression is a common problem, and it's not anything to be ashamed of. Instead, those struggling with depression should seek the proper treatment so that they can address these symptoms. Physical and emotional well-being both need to be considered when working towards optimal health.
The Different Types of Depression
It's important to remember that not everyone experiences depression in the same way. When treating depression, it's important to consider the type of depression that you are dealing with. Your treatment should be tailored to your unique symptoms. Learn about the 3 doshas and their impact. Vata dosha, Pitta dosha and Kapha dosha all express differently in depression. There are also mixed dosha types of depression. Understanding which doshas are aggravated is helpful in working with the experience.
Vata-Type Depression
Also known as "anxious depression," this is the type of depression that most people experience. This type of depression is associated with many different symptoms, including anxiety, insecurity, fear, inability to concentrate, and feelings of people overwhelmed. People struggling with anxious depression often replay upsetting moments in their head over and over again.
Individuals with Vata-type depression are often kept awake because of their anxieties and fears, which means they're unable to get the rest that their body needs. This can exacerbate symptoms and make depression more severe. Thankfully, the proper treatment can provide relief and increase emotional resilience.
Pitta-Type Depression
Symptoms that are commonly linked to Pitta-type depression include anger, insecurity, and a strong fear of failure. People with this type of depression may isolate themselves in order to maintain control over their lives. In some cases, individuals experience physical symptoms as well, such as redness of the skin and eyes.
Those with Pitta personalities are often strongly effected by the change of the seasons, which can cause individuals to experience depression symptoms in the winter. With the appropriate treatment, it's possible to avoid these symptoms and promote emotional health throughout the year.
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Kapha-Type Depression
People with Kapha-type depression tend to feel lethargic. While some types of depression are linked with insomnia, this type of depression can lead to excessive sleep. Individuals may feel heavy and fatigued, even after a full night of sleep.
In some cases, this type of depression is linked to medical issues, such as a low thyroid. The appropriate treatment can address both physical and mental needs. Once treated, individuals tend to experience a surge of energy and an increase in motivation.
Learn more about The 3 Ayurvedic Doshas and Their Impact on Your Life
How Do I Know If I Have a Dosha Imbalance?
Peruse these comprehensive and convenient lists of signs and symptoms of dosha imbalances.
Peruse these comprehensive and convenient lists of signs and symptoms of dosha imbalances. As we are comprised of all Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, there can be an imbalance in any of the doshas, or a combination of dosha imbalances. Read all three lists and see if anything looks familiar.
What Are the Best Ayurvedic Herbal Remedies for Depression?
The ideal herbal remedies for you will vary based on the type of depression and the doshic picture as a whole. Supportive Ayurvedic tools include meditation, restorative yoga and food. Herbal remedies can also be highly supportive.
When working with depression, it's crucial to consider your unique needs. People experience depression in many different ways, and because of that, Ayurveda avoids a one-size-fits-all approach. You'll get better results from a plan that's tailored to you.
How to Improve Your Emotional Health
When a person is emotionally healthy, they have more control over their feelings and behaviors. Good emotional health can improve resilience, allowing you to bounce back from personal setbacks. Emotional health isn't something that we're born with; it's a skill that you can develop and improve.
Strengthening the mind/body connection is one of the most effective ways to improve your emotional health. When you're more aware of your emotions, you'll be able to deal with your emotions in a more effective way, regardless of whether those emotions are positive or negative. Emotional health allows you to manage stress and maintain balance in your life.
Some of the best ways to strengthen your emotional health include breathing exercises, yoga postures, and self-massage. It's also important to make your physical health a priority. Pay close attention to your body and what it needs. Daily use of our nasya oil is also supportive. Learn more about the benefits of nasya treatment.
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There is a saying, "The mind is more in the body, than the body is in the mind." The Saumya 3 step meditation process shifts us from fight-flight-freeze mode, to rest-restore-relax mode. Give it a try for forty days and observe the changes. The more grounded and relaxed we are, the smoother life flows.
"The breath is the connection between the mind and body, so by training the breath, we become calm, focused, and grounded, we slow down the aging process by decreasing stress. These practices are so simple and easy to have as part of our daily life. We actually feel and look younger."
- Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
1. Learn Diaphragmatic Breathing and Change Your Life. When we re-learn to breath diaphragmatically, we move from the flight-fight-freeze mode, to rest, restore, relaxation mode from where we want and need to live.
2. Daily Guided Practices: 11 minutes in the morning and in the evening, as anchors of your daily Ayurveda routine.
3. Ayurveda Daily Routines: --Ayurvedic Morning Routine | 6 Rituals for a Calm and Centered Day
"Choose a couple of practices from the routines that provide you with the greatest support. Perform them while applying our two minute meditation technique and your mundane tasks, just transformed into a mellifluous meditation. This is meditation applied to daily life." - Veena, Saumya Ayurveda
"Veena was able to help me regain my energy in just a few months and I’m feeling like my “young” self again! I love the food plan she designed for me, and all the supporting practices (am/pm routines, breathing techniques, herbs, and spice mixes) are so enjoyable to incorporate into my day. I highly recommend Saumya Ayurveda if you want to feel better and have more vitality.”
-Molly Rossini, Minnesota
Explore More: Ayurveda Breathwork Pranayama
Managing Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety can be treated, but that doesn't mean that these feelings will disappear.
Identify unhelpful behaviors and replace those habits with healthy behaviors that will improve your overall well-being. Set attainable goals that you can work towards on a daily basis. Prioritize healthy activities that bring you joy.
Treat yourself with compassion. Instead of criticizing yourself, you should celebrate your own accomplishments, whether they're major or minor. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would show to other people.
You're invited to explore our Free Guided Practices and to learn diaphragmatic breathing. Retraining our nervous system can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and improve the quality of sleep. Nadi shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing is a pranayama that is also supportive. For more information on natural remedies and Ayurvedic lifestyle tools, click here.
Ayurvedic Herbs to Alleviate Symptoms of Depression, is one Ayurveda tool for consideration as part of a comprehensive integrative approach.
“I saw my doctor who advised me to double my dose of Zoloft. Somehow, that didn't sit well with me, so I found Veena at Saumya Ayurveda. Implementing her Ayurveda plan and working with my physician, after only two months, I was off Zoloft completely and sleeping well, feeling good, and loving myself. Saumya Ayurveda has changed my life.
It's amazing how easy it is to integrate Veena's suggestions into my daily life. It's as though my body is saying to me, "Finally! Thank you for treating me better! This is what I've been wanting all along!" The improvements in my digestion and sleep were felt not after a month, or a week, but I experienced immediate relief. Saumya Ayurveda should not, must not, be a secret! Thank you.” --Nicole Grove, Minnesota
“I feel greatly improved. Stress fell off like an old hairy coat. I’m just not anxious. Depression is way decreased. I was haunted by anxiety my whole life, and it’s just gone. The mudra, mantra...WOW. This is so cool! I have regained hope.Something wonderful is taking place. You and your knowledge come to me after a lifetime of searching and prayer. I am forever grateful.” --Mark Hughes, Minnesota
Natural Ayurvedic Herbs to Alleviate Symptoms of Depression
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MEET VEENA: YOUR AYURVEDIC GUIDE
Veena is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and meditation teacher, and monk.
She is President Emeritus and teaching faculty of the Meditation Center.
Veena fell in love with the traditional medicine used in her family’s home, learning herbal remedies at her grandmother's knee.
An experienced Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Veena’s deep, intuitive knowledge of Ayurveda empowers her clients to reclaim their fullest, most vibrant lives –mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Veena individualizes treatment plans to each person, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, so it fits your life and becomes woven in your lifestyle, naturally.
Learn more about Veena's work and book your FREE discovery call today.
