I want to start taking herbal treatments for depression, anxiety, and ADD, can someone tell me more?

Question

I've already done some research and from what I have found, taking things like fish oil, algae and st. johns wort are supposed to help. I would really appreciate it though if someone could give me some more information on these or suggest something else without getting to scientific on me. Thanks.

Thanks for all the support everyone, It's nice when I post on here and actually get good feedback.

Thanks for all the support everyone, It's nice when I post on here and actually get good feedback.

Answer 1

All of those things that you mentioned are suppose to be good for anxiety, depression, memory (ADD) problems, etc.

Eat more vegetables, fruits, and grains, small portions of meat, and drink distilled water (purified).

Avoid sugars, fats, flours, fatty foods, and processed foods (boxed meals, frozen dinners, fast food joints) and stay away from sodas, caffeines, sports drinks, diet products, etc.

So many of the additives, preservatives, and food dyes can agitate and aggrevate your body and mind leaving you to feel horrible.

Make sure you get at least 8 hours sleep and look up natural methods to control your ADHD and depressive symptoms.

Get out in the sun more, exercise more, and try not to worry about being ADD. Most ADD people are highly intelligent, creative, and very productive in things that interest them.

Avoid the dull and boring if you can........smile. Good luck.

New study links food additives to hyperactivity in children
Thu Sep 6, 9:05 AM ET

PARIS (AFP) - A cocktail of artificial colours and the commonly-used preservative sodium benzoate are linked to hyperactivity in children, according to a ground-breaking study published Thursday by The Lancet.

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The implications are far-reaching, say the investigators, who suggest that by vetting their child's diet, parents have a simple tool to help them tackle hyperactive behaviour.

Researchers at Southampton University recruited 153 local three-year-olds and 144 children aged eight or nine and assigned them to either of two groups.

One group received an ordinary fruit juice and the other was given a drink identical in look and taste that contained common commercial additives. Both drinks were supplied to parents in identical, sealed anonymous bottles.

The "additives" group itself was split into two batches.

Some children were given "Mix A," a drink which contained artificial colourings typically found in a couple of 56-gramme (two-ounce) bags of sweets.

Others were given "Mix B" which had a higher level of colourings, equivalent (in the dosage for the eight-year-olds) to consuming the additives in four such bags of sweets.

Both mixes had the same amount of sodium benzoate.

Before the six-week trial began, the researchers asked parents and teachers to assess the child for overactive, impulsive and inattentive behaviour -- the hallmarks of hyperactivity.

A third yardstick was given by trained observers (in fact, psychology graduates), who sat discreetly in the classrooms and noted each child's behaviour according to an international set of measures.

For the first week of the trial, the children followed their typical diet.

After that, sweets and drinks with additives were withdrawn, and parents were asked to substitute with the trial drink instead.

The amount of the drink given to the child was in proportion to the amount of artificial colouring removed from their usual diet. The parents did not know whether the drink was Mix A, Mix B or the placebo.

Six weeks later, the children were assessed again for hyperactivity.

Mix A had a "significantly adverse" effect on the three-year-olds, although Mix B made no difference on this group. In the older children, both Mix A and Mix B had a strong effect.

"Overall, children who took the mix moved about 10 percent closer to the definition of being hyperactive," lead author Jim Stevenson, a professor of psychology at the university, told AFP.

"We now have clear evidence that mixtures of certain food colours and benzoate preservative can adversely influence the behaviour of children," said Stevenson.

"However, parents should not think that simply taking these additives out of food will prevent all hyperactive disorders. We know that many other influences are at work, but this at least is one a child can avoid."

The first caution about food additives and their impact on child health were made more than three decades ago, but evidence to give flesh to this warning has been scant or contested as unscientific.

In the past decade, hyperactivity has -- apparently -- ballooned into serious proportions in some countries, stirring controversy along the way.

US doctors commonly see hyperactivity as a medical condition (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD) and prescribe a potent drug, ritalin, to treat it.

Other experts speculate that hyperactivity has social causes such as home instability and poor education, and say use of powerful, mind-altering drugs is dangerous.

In the new study, Mix A comprised 45mg of sodium benzoate and 20mg of artificial food colourings, namely sunset yellow (European food code E110), carmoisine (E122); tartrazine (E102); and ponceau 4R (E124).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070906/hl_afp/healthchildrenfood;_ylt=AngzGgVyPKfQcp6nPucAyKTVJRIF

Answer 2

ADD, see a great book by Sears and Thompson, "The ADD Book".

Anxiety is a mind over matter thing, really. When you have irrational thoughts, start thinking differently. You know if it is rational or irrational.

Depression is something that can be helped with; a healthy diet (no sugar, alcohol or junk foods--those make it worse), exercise (that increases endorphins) and counseling for coping skills. Also, if you live in a place that does not get sunlight much in the winter, take Vitamin D (along with sit in the sun when it is out for at least 15 minutes).

Visit a naturopath for more helpful natural ways to help.

Answer 3

You are off to a great start. I would add Yoga to your mix... that part is important to reconnect to your completely stable and bright Inner Self.

Best to get personal instruction, but if that is not possible, pick up on the two Yoga links at the Leap Over Web Clutter section of this website.

And the first book at this same site may be a good read for you. It gets into a deeper kind of self improvement.

Answer 4

"For anxiety, a mix of Kava and Siberian Ginseng is good.

For depression, Gingko Biloba or Borage. There has been a good amount of success with a combination of the two as well.

Keep in mind when combining herbs to treat one symptom or illness to use a proportional dosage. (i.e., two herbs would be half dosage of each, three herbs would be one-third dosage, etc.)"

For details, please visit the following link:

Herbal Treatment of Depression By Dr Jay Gordon
http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/alternative/depression.asp

Answer 5

if you want my advise huni you're best off not using anything!! I had depression, stress and anxiety and even went as far as to end my life with an over dose of depressants. I was in hospital for ages which gave me time to think, afterwards I decided to stop using any form of pills (as they do nothing but increase depression and can become addictive) with the help of my boyfriend I was able to pick myself up and get on with life. I joined a gym which is a great outlet for anger, I went whenever I was angry or felt I needed to scream so I bashed the hell out the bunch bag. I decided to start a new career and set goals, now i have the job i've always wanted! It'll take time for you to pick yourself up but you've got to think positive, there is a light at the end of the tunel. I'm prove of that!