There are natural remedies that can serve as an effective postpartum depression treatment to help new mothers cope with the baby blues. The sudden changes in hormone levels that occur after a woman has a baby can effect her emotions, causing feelings of sadness. It is quite common for women to experience everything from intense joy to anxiety after giving birth.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the decrease in estrogen and progesterone, as well as reductions in hormones produced by the thyroid, can leave some women feeling tired, sluggish and depressed. Also, postnatal changes in a woman's metabolism, blood pressure, and immune system can contribute to fluctuating emotions as well. A woman who is feeling severely depressed following the birth of a child should consult a physician before trying home remedies.
Herbs Ease Postpartum Depression Symptoms
Passion flower is popular for its calming effect and is sometimes used to control postpartum depression symptoms. This long, vine-like plant produces orange berries and white flowers, with a little bit of purple coloring on them. Passion flower has been used as a sedative for hundreds of years in North America and Europe.
Passion flower is used in the United States to ease restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety. This herb has an anti-spasmodic effect that helps calm the central nervous system. Some people use passion flower in combination with other herbs. According to Postpartum Depression for Dummies by Shoshana S. Bennett and Mary Jo Codey (Wiley, John & Sons, January 2007), passion flower works well when it's combined with St. John's Wort.
A review of St. John's Wort published in the Archives of Internal Medicine (2000;160:152-156) analyzed numerous studies on the effectiveness of this herb as a postpartum depression remedy. The review concluded that St. John's Wort can help relieve mild to moderate depression. However, more research is needed to determine its effectiveness as a treatment for severe depression.
Diet and Depression
According to WebMD, eating habits can be changed to help improve a person's mood because there is a link between diet and depression. Carbohydrates help increase the brain's production of the natural chemical serotonin, which causes a person to feel calm and less anxious. Carbohydrates include whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes.
Foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids can also help elevate a person's mood. In fact, deficiencies in these essential fats have been linked to depression. Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids include tuna, mackerel, and salmon. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least twice a week. Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in walnuts, green leafy vegetables, and flaxseed. Also, research suggests that the Mediterranean diet plan improves mood.
See the article titled Remedies for Depression for information about natural treatments. The article How to Find Affordable Help for Troubled Teens provides information on treatment options for families who have a limited income or no Health Insurance.
Jennifer Graham - Jennifer Graham is a Writer/Producer for a video production company. She helps create videos that raise awareness to health related ...
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