{"id":2073,"date":"2019-03-16T12:46:45","date_gmt":"2019-03-16T07:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ayucliniko.com\/articles\/?p=2073"},"modified":"2019-03-18T14:49:40","modified_gmt":"2019-03-18T09:19:40","slug":"ayurvedic-management-of-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ayucliniko.com\/articles\/ayurvedic-management-of-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"Ayurvedic Management of Depression"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Depression<\/a> is a very common health issue, which has affected a huge population. It is a mental health concerned issue, but it affects physical health as well it is represented with fluctuating moods, insomnia, anorexia etc. The incidence ratio is more in females than males. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ayurvedic Management of Depression<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

According to Ayurveda, it is a Mansik vikara and a Manovaha Srotas Vyadhi. Manovaha srotas is one which controls all the psychological and physiological functions of our body like \u2013 hormonal balance, all sensory and motor functions etc. It also affects physical health and gives rise to many diseases like hormonal disorders \u2013 hyperthyroidism, hyporthyroidism, PCOD<\/a> etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason behind vitiation of Manovaha Srotas is – vitiation of Sharirik doshas and Mansik doshas. Sharirik doshas are Vata, Pitta, Kapha<\/a>, and Mansik doshas are rajas and tamas. If equilibrium is maintained in between all these doshas then the person is healthy, if there is any de-arrangement in these doshas that will lead to disease.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the Causes of Depression?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  • Aahar karana’s (Dietary habits) \u2013 Indulging in an improper diet (Visamashana), excessive\nconsumption of   tea, coffee, and stale foods etc.<\/li>
  • Vihar karana’s\n(Lifestyle behavior) \u2013 The activities which will increase Vata dosha in our\nbody includes\u2013 exertion beyond the limit, day time sleep, night awakening etc.<\/li>
  • Mansik karana’s (Mental status) \u2013 Excessive worries,\ngrief, anger, fear may provoke Vata dosha in our body. <\/li>
  • Anuvanshik Karana’s\n(Hereditary factor) \u2013 Depression is also\na hereditary disease.<\/li>
  • Occupational hazard \u2013\nIn this competitive world, mostly everybody is leading a stressful life that is\naffecting their mental health. This is\nthe main reason for depression.  <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Some Other Contributed Factors are <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    • Death of loved one.<\/li>
    • Alcohol and Smoking.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      What are the Symptoms of Depression?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      The symptoms vary from person to person and may last for few days to few weeks and these symptoms are <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Fluctuating\nMoods (Frequently sad)<\/li>
      2. Irritable\nnature<\/li>
      3. Lack\nof Interest in all activities<\/li>
      4. Anorexia<\/li>
      5. Irregular\nbowel habits<\/li>
      6. Insomnia\n(Loss of sleep)<\/li>
      7. Hypersomnia\n(Excessive sleep)<\/li>
      8. Weeping\nwithout reason<\/li>
      9. Low\nself esteem<\/li>
      10. Unable\nto take decisions<\/li>
      11. Changes\nin cognitive behavior<\/li>
      12. Social\nwithdrawal<\/li>
      13. Reduced\nmemory<\/li>
      14. Fatigue<\/li>
      15. Suicidal\ntendency<\/li>
      16. Altered\nhigher mental functions<\/li>
      17. Anxiety<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Management Criteria According to Ayurveda <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        • Nidan Parivarjan \u2013 Avoid the root cause.<\/li>
        • Panchakarma help to do Nadi Shodhana, which purifies the body internally as well as externally.<\/li>
        • Internal medications to alleviate the disease.<\/li>
        • Rasayanas and Brihana therapy – To improve mental status. <\/li>
        • Counseling.<\/g><\/li>
        • Yoga<\/g> and Meditation \u2013 To enhance will power. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Ayurvedic Line of Treatment for Depression<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          1. NIDANA PARIVARJANA \u2013 First evaluate the cause of depression and then avoid the root cause.<\/li>
          2. SHODHANA CHIKITSA (Purification procedure) \u2013 Panchakarma is a process which helps to eliminate the toxins from the body, and then helps to maintain the equilibrium of Sharirik as well as Mansik doshas, hence beneficial.<\/li>
          3. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            • Shirodhara\n\u2013 It is a procedure in which continuously pouring the stream of medicated\nlukewarm oils over the forehead for the stipulated time. <\/li>
            • Nasya\n\u2013 Instilling the medicated ghrita’s or taila in the\nnose. <\/li>
            • Shiroabhyanga\n\u2013 Head massage.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              3. SHAMAN CHIKITSA (Palliative care) \u2013 We have to prefer medicines which can manage Tridoshas. As we know the serotonin deprivation is the main reason for sadness. So we have to take measures to increase the serotonin level in our body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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              (Reference- Charaka samhita \/ chikitsa sthana\/ rasayan adhyaya \/ shloka no.3o-31)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              Mandukparni\u2019s – fresh juice, yashtimadhu<\/g> powder along with milk, Guduchi juice, shankhapushpi<\/g> in the form of paste or decoction is considered as best brain tonics. It helps to increases age, strength, agni<\/g>, improves complexion, enhances voice quality, intellect and boosts immunity. Among these medhya<\/g> rasayana\u2019s<\/g> shankhapushpi<\/g> is the best one. These herbs have the potency to manage all the neurological disorders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

              • Gotu kola (Centella\nasiatica<\/em>) \u2013 Stabilizes the mental condition\nand acts as a brain tonic.<\/li>
              • Brahmi (Bacopa\nmonnieri<\/em>) \u2013 It is a Medhya drug, explained in our classics. So, it\nhelps in boosting the memory power. <\/li>
              • Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus\npluricaulis<\/em>) \u2013 It helps in boosting memory, increases intellectual\npower and also improves the cognitive\nskills.<\/li>
              • Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza\nglabra<\/em>) \u2013 As per our classics, licorice roots are effective in\nmanaging the nervous disorders.<\/li>
              • Sunthi (Zingiber\nofficinale<\/em>) \u2013 It shows very good results with the combination of\nother brain tonics. Sunthi has tikshana property, which will help other\nmedicines to cross the blood brain\nbarrier. <\/li>
              • Tagar (Valeriana\nwallichii<\/em>) – Tagar is the most useful medicine for treating\ninsomnia. It is also a nervine tonic.<\/li>
              • Vacha (Acorus\ncalamus<\/em>) \u2013 It is used to enhance the\nmemory. It also causes a\nreduction in anxiety and gives\nprolonged calming effect.<\/li>
              • Ashwagandha (Withania\nsomnifera<\/em>) \u2013 Ashwagandha reduces cortisol level in our body, as\ncortisol is a stress hormone.<\/li>
              • Shatavri (Asparagus\nracemosus<\/em>) \u2013 Shatavari promotes energy level and also supports the\nimmune system. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

                4. External applications which are helpful, they are <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                • For head massage, oils\nwhich can be useful are – Brahmi taila, Himanshu taila, Ksheerbala oil, Bhringaraj\noil etc.<\/li>
                • Nasal drops \u2013 Bala oil,\nAnu taila, Ksheerbala taila can be used.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n