DEPRESSION AND AYURVEDIC TREATMENT
- Dr. Murali Manohar Chirumamilla, M.D. (Ayurveda)
Symptoms
Symptoms of depression include—continuous feeling of sadness or blankness, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, guilt and worthlessness, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, including sex, fatigue, sleep disturbances, loss of energy or enthusiasm, difficulty in concentrating or making decision, ongoing physical symptoms such as headaches or digestive disorders, that don’t respond to conventional treatment, crying and fearfulness, poor appetite with weight loss, overeating and weight gain.
According to Ayurveda, depression may by caused by an imbalance in either vaata or kapha dosha. The kapha type of depression is usually of a less serious nature. This is typical in the winter months when the weather is cold and there is less sunshine. We tend to go out less and are not very active during this season. The lack of activity coupled with the weather will increase the qualities of kapha dosha, due to which the person might become slower, duller, less sensitive to his environment, and have a tendency to sleep for longer periods.
Guidelines and Ayurvedic Remedies
 | Making sure that you exercise on a regular basis, eat lighter foods, avoid heavy foods such as cheese and meat, and increase for vegetables in your diet will assist you in balancing your kapha dosha. Ayurvedic herbs like guggulu, turmeric, and trikatu may be of benefit for this type of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). |
| When the depression is caused by an imbalance of vaata, it may become more serious in nature. That too, if praana vaata is aggravated, it can lead to depression, anxiety, overactive mind, and a feeling of stress and tension. |
| Many people will acquire a praana vaata imbalance due to their lifestyle. A regular schedule is the best to balance vaata—early to bed, early to rise, eating at regular times, regular exercise, regular meditation, and yoga. The daily meditation, praanaayaama and yoga should be included in your health regime. |
| Try to substitute a positive thought for every negative thought that pops into your mind. Associate with congenial people, not negative people. To focus your attention away from yourself, do something to help someone else. Ayurveda advocates oil massage (abhyanga) and sirodhaara (warm medicated oils or liquids are streamed onto the forehead) to bring down the aggravated vaata dosha. These therapies profoundly relax the nervous system. |
| There are several ayurvedic herbs, which will assist in lessening the state of depression, which include Jatamaansi (Nardostachys jatamansi) and Braahmi (Bacopa monnieri). These herbs will also calm your mind so that you will feel more at ease when you do your meditation and yoga. Preparations such as Braahmi vati, Braahmi ghritam, Saarasvataarishta contain Braahmi as main ingredient. Consult your ayurvedic physician before using them. |
Note
As we all are genetically different with
different constitutions and patterns, we respond to treatments in many
different ways. Hence Standard Ayurvedic Treatments are always individually
formulated. This article is intended only for information. It is not a
substitute to the standard medical diagnosis, personalized Ayurvedic
treatment or qualified Ayurvedic physician. For specific treatment, always
consult with a qualified Ayurvedic physician.
Address Dr. Ch. Murali
Manohar, M.D. (Ayurveda) Ayurvedic
Specialist Raksha
Ayurvedic Centre, Opp.
Directorate of Women Development, Yousufguda
Main Road (Sarathi Studio Road), Ameerpet,
Hyderabad - 500073., Andhra
Pradesh, INDIA Phones: Land:
+91 (040) 23742146; Mobile: 09246575510
Consultation Hours
Weekdays: 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Sundays: 10 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.
E-mail: muralimanoharch@hotmail.com