TOM: Vatic Disorders – Depression - 1

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There have been many querries reg. depression in past. Under the

Topic of Month, the author thought it appropriate to communicate his

thoughts along with some well known material as a background. Second

part relating anxiety and insomnia will be communicated later.

 

While mood swings are a normal part of life, chronic depression is a

serious disorder that limits the quality of life and suppresses the

immune systems. Depression has been on a steady rise in North America

since the early twentieth century. Similarly, as a by-product of

industrialization, fast life, it grips rest of the world also. So is

anxiety, a closely related disorder associated with nervousness and

fear, which can bring on sudden hyperventilation, a pounding heart

and feelings of suffocation, often at the most inappropriate times.

When indigestion, mental tension and acidity combine together, the

depression intensity increases. The symptoms of this reversal of Apan

Vata include confused state of mind, pains in armpits, sides, chest,

etc., the tension in the blood vessels in head, forehead, in the

neighbourhood of eyes, etc. The mind stops thinking and a lot of

anxiety is experienced. This can happen both before as well as after

meals. It may occur even after the digestion of food. On such

occasions, lime juice, soda-bi-carb, black pepper, saindhav, ginger

powder, black salt, ajwain powder can give a little relief,

especially if belching occurs. Many find a bitter taste in their

mouth when waking up. In addition, a coating on tongue, dry lips,

constant thirst or vomiting sensation is experienced. Vomiting causes

a relief. Increase of pulse, irregular heart beats, heavy stomach,

restlessness and some relief on loosening of clothes, hiccups, etc

are several other symptoms.

 

Because depression is quite often a symptom of some other condition,

you should attempt to eliminate its source instead of just looking

for a quick fix from a drug or an herb. Michael F. Breslos, M.D., a

psychiatrist at the University of Arizona, found that even a single

cup of caffeine-laden coffee or cola produces anxiety attacks in

susceptible individuals, and ten cups can cause almost anyone to have

an attack.

 

Before attempting medication, it is better to eliminate the root

cause. The natural moods of body, e. g. sleep, thirst, hunger, yawn,

elimination of wastes, movement of semen, sneeze, cough, tears etc.

should not be suppressed. If one needs to remain awake, rest next day

is also essential. The pacifiers of Vata are called Carminatives and

their use gives benefits in such cases. Such ingredients include

asfoetida, ajwain, black salt, ginger, black peeper, garlic, lime,

etc. When we take food, we gulp air also with or without knowing.

Such air can be released by deep breathing and deliberate belching.

When such attacks come, people get afraid of cardiac problems and

rush to hospitals for a Cardogram, which reveals nothing.

 

Such patients should avoid sedentary life-style first. Early morning

walk is highly benificial. Yogasanas also yield good results. Such

patients are afraid of eating pulses, even simple chapati, dhal,

rice. They like to eat, but when they see food, the appetite gets

killed. A deep study of such patients reveals that the reason for

this condition can be traced to mind rather than body.

 

Hypoglycemia is a frequent condition linked to depression. Allergies

to food and other substances, as well as low blood sugar levels, can

also make you feel low. Some prescription drugs are notorious for

causing depression, especially when used in combination with certain

other medicines—if you are taking any prescription medicines, ask

your doctor about bad combinations or read up on the side effects of

your medications. A good source is drug info base.

If depression is linked to gasto intestinal system, Hingashtak

Churnam up to half teaspoon can be taken mixed with rice or Khitchri.

Lavan Bhaskar Churnam is a readily available formulation in Indian

pharmacies, which can be taken upto 2 gms with butter milk, after

lunch and dinner. Though Ayurveda recommends avoiding curd and butter

milk after sunset, it can be taken in such conditions. In addition,

one can use Chitrakavati, Shankhavati as appetisers and Digestive

Agni enhancers. Undigested food, residing in stomach, small or larger

intetsine, when ferments, distorts the movement of Vata. Vishatanduk

is also a herb used in Ayurveda for such conditions. Agnitundivati or

Navajivan Ras is a traditional formulation made from this herb. These

strengthen stomach, intestine and liver functions, increase appetite

and metabolism. Vata is the main motive force in metabolism, other

than Pachak Pitta. When balanced this way, it reduces hypo-glacemeia

and thus depression.

 

The depression is frequently the result of a loss of beloved. This

can be either a physical loss or emotional gap in couple, which

develops as a result of inharmonious natures, or lack of touch

relationship arising from menopause. According to ayurvedic

philosophy, the knowledge of the eternal nature of man is the basis

for healing from loss. You can then work to bring Sadhaka Pitta back

into balance. Sadhaka Pitta is the part of Pitta in our physiology,

that has to do with the emotions and their effect on the heart, and

is an aspect of Pitta, which governs heat, digestion and metabolism.

The experience of loss can trigger Sadhaka Pitta -- emotions that may

result in feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety and resentment.

 

Ayurveda suggests nurturing yourself by seeking the support of loved

ones, enjoying activities such as taking walks in nature, daily self-

massage with a cooling, relaxing oil or aroma blend that includes the

essence of rose (abhyanga) and reading uplifting books. Dietary

recommendations include adhering to a Pitta pacifying diet where you

would reduce spicy, sour and salty foods and favor astringent, bitter

and sweet foods to cool the body and improve digestion.

 

Another simple recommendation is to soothe the heart and emotions

with the beauty, fragrance and taste of rose petals. Roses have long

been used to alleviate depression, anxiety, insomnia, irritability

and memory loss. Though rose is cooling, yet it enhances agni, unique

quality which makes it balancing for all three doshas if taken in

moderate amounts. Gulkand is the formulation which balances Sadhaka

Pitta.

 

After managing the diet, one can consider medication. Fortunately,

herbal antidepressants do exist. In fact, author knows quite a few

people who have successfully lowered or gone off their antidepressant

drugs—sometimes after taking them for years—and now use herbs

instead. Most of them find that they need to continue taking at least

a minimal maintenance dose of the chemical antidepressants, but they

are happy to have switched almost completely to a more natural

alternative. Keep in mind, though, that antidepressant herbs are not

as fast-acting or powerful as their pharmaceutical counterparts.

Moreover, do not switch to herbal treatments for serious emotional

disorders without consulting a health care practitioner, preferably

one with whom you have a close working relationship.

 

Many commonly prescribed antidepressants work by keeping the

neurotransmitter serotonin circulating in the brain. If you are at

all familiar with antidepressant drugs, you have probably already

heard of tricyclic drugs, MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors and

serotonin uptake reinhibitors such as Prozac/Zoloft/Paxil. What you

may not have heard is that Siberian ginseng and licorice also

increase the availability of serotonin in the brain. In clinical

studies, Siberian ginseng has repeatedly proved helpful for people

who are depressed or have other serious emotional problems. According

to a 1980 study, licorice is more effective than one of the commonly

prescribed MAO inhibitors.

 

In a series of studies that were presented in 1992 at the Fourth

International Congress on Phytotherapy in Munich, Germany, Saint-

John's-wort helped well over half of those who were mildly to

moderately depressed. In less than a month of taking this herb, the

depression and accompanying disturbed sleep and fatigue experienced

by participants in these studies generally improved.

According to ayurvedic experience in India, following Ayurvedic

Strategy for Depression.

 

1. Anti-depressant tea:

11 leaves of Holy basil

1/4-1/2 tsp dry ginger powder

1 tsp crystal sugar or 20 gms jaggery or date sugar

1 cup of water

Boil for 10 minutes and drink twice/thrice a day. This will very

slowly, releive you from the mood-swings/anxiety/pensive moods.

 

2. Substitute for Coffee/Tea:

Take 5 Tulsi leaves

2 cloves

1 Cinamon small piece.

Grind coarse, add in 1 cup water, boil for 2 minutes

and drink hot as many time a day as you enjoy.

For a few days, you may not notice that your desire

for tea/coffee is changing.

 

3. Brainboost(also for concentration, forgetfulness):

soak 4 dates or 8-10 raisin for two hours; crush, remove seeds and

add two pinches of Godanti Hartal Bhasma, stirr and drink at

breakfast time. This is Brainboost+Braincool. The Bhasma will be

available from allayurveda.com by online order. Very inexpensive.

 

4. Morning Walk:

 

If there is good sun light, rise up half an hour before sunrise, go

for a walk and return when sun is about to rise. Watch it without

closing your eyes as long as eyes do not become watery or tired. This

is our anti-depressant, sure to work in a matter of 20 days. You will

feel something missing, should you fail to do it one day. The sun-

watching exercise increases the beauty and magnetism of the eyes.

 

5. Mixture of Brahmi, Jatamansi, Shankhpushpi, Vekhand, Yeshtimadhu:

 

1 tsp of this mixture, thrice a day with sweet milk or ghee+sugar

will be benificial. The author has used it for epilepsy patients also

in place of Brahmi Ghrutam or Brahmi Vati. IT has been given to

students cramming for their exams, especially during last month.

 

Hope this will help many.

Dr. Bhate