Homeopathic medicine, treatment and remedies for Depression

• Aconitum Napellus
  Common name: Monkshood
  Symptoms: Aconitum napellus is a good option for those in a dire state of anguish and fear. The most common symptoms where this medication is helpful are:
  • Anxiety
  • Fear of death
  • Extreme unhappiness, due to fear or worry of dying soon 
• Agnus Castus
  Common name: Chaste tree
  Symptoms: Agnus castus is often prescribed to patients showing signs of perturbation in almost every aspect of their daily life. Common symptoms where this remedy is prescribed are:
  • A gush of overwhelming sadness after being physically intimate
  • Fear of dying
  • Amnesia
  • Constant state of worry
  • Psychiatric postpartum syndrome

Agnus castus was introduced as a primary medication in a case of postpartum psychosis. The remedy was found to be a viable and safe, providing a progressive and complete cure from the condition.

• Arsenicum Album
  Common name: Arsenious acid/Arsenic trioxide
  Symptoms: Arsenicum album is well suited to people who drink and chew tobacco for temporary relief from the symptoms of depression and other emotions. Some of the most common symptoms for which this medicine is prescribed include:
  • Anguish and restlessness
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Hallucinations
  • Exhaustion
  • Lack of courage
  • Fear of being alone or dying
  • Unquenchable thirst
  • Excessive sweating and chills due to worrying and anxiety

Prescribing arsenic in high potencies can also help in curbing drinking habits and other drug addictions that are often associated with depression. 

• Apis Mellifica
  Common name: Honey bee
  Symptoms: Apis mellifica is mostly used to cure a sting or any swelling on the skin. However, it is also used to treat the following symptoms of depression:
  • Inability to think clearly
  • Strong feelings of jealousy
  • Fright
  • Tearfulness
  • Difficulty in concentrating on a particular task
  • Anxiety
  • Grief 
• Belladonna
  Common name: Nightshade
  Symptoms: Belladonna acts on various points in the nervous system, especially those that produce hormones affecting several of our senses and emotions. Some of the prime symptoms where belladonna is used are:
  • Visual hallucinations
  • Fury
  • Excitement
  • Twitching
  • Events of rage
  • Heightened senses resulting in discomfort

Belladonna is often prescribed in higher potencies owing to the severity of the condition. 

• Cocculus Indicus
  Common name: Indian cockle
  Symptoms: Cocculus indicus is prescribed for people suffering from hastiness during depression. This medication helps relieve the following symptoms:
  • Mind occupied with regrets
  • Saddening thoughts
  • A feeling of emptiness inside
  • Inability to speak one’s mind
  • Worrying more than normal about the well-being of near ones 
• Ignatia Amara
  Common name: St. Ignatius bean
  Symptoms: Ignatia amara is a medicine often prescribed in conditions of hysteria where the person does not perceive emotions well and responds impulsively. Common symptoms for which this medicine is prescribed include:
  • Melancholy
  • Inability to communicate
  • Unbearable grief

High potency of this remedy is advised for the above-mentioned symptoms to curb the condition. 

• Kalium Bromatum
  Common name: Bromide of potash
  Symptoms: This remedy is prescribed to people who suffer from a loss of mental balance. Common symptoms that respond well to this remedy include:
  • Inability to talk
  • Illusions or hallucinations
  • Feeling of moral deficiency
  • Feeling disconnected with people and God
  • Feeling ostracised 
• Kalium Phosphoricum
  Common name: Phosphate of potassium
  Symptoms: Kalium phosphoricum is often considered as the most effective remedy for conditions related to the mind, more importantly for younger minds, which are easily influenced. Prominent symptoms for which this medicine is advised are:
  • Extreme depression (clinical) despite counselling therapy
  • Night terrors
  • Social withdrawal 
• Natrium Muriaticum
  Common name: Chloride of sodium
  Symptoms: Natrium muriaticum is prescribed to people who suffer from various symptoms due to excessive intake of salt. This excess salt acts by changing the composition of chemicals inside the body, giving way to several health conditions. Signs of depression are also common when one is frustrated with long-standing disease. Some of the symptoms that respond well to this remedy are:
  • Adverse effects of diseases resulting in psychological issues
  • Anger and grief, while facing a threatening disease for a long period of time
  • A tendency to find solace and often showing emotional vulnerability like crying or laughing with tears streaming down their face
  • Consoling often tends to create strife with such people  
• Phosphorus
  Common name: Phosphorus
  Symptoms: This remedy is advised for the treatment of the following symptoms:
  • Low spirit and willpower
  • Fear of death
  • Getting annoyed very easily and by irrelevant things
  • Uncontrolled emotions of both joy and grief
• Picricum Acidum
  Common name: Trinitrophenol
  Symptoms: Picricum acidum or trinitrophenol is often prescribed to patients suffering from conditions of brain or spinal cord. The most common symptoms where this medication is helpful are:
  • Low willpower
  • Withdrawal from day-to-day activities, including work, mostly due to feeling overly fazed and tired most of the time
  • Being lackadaisical, body and muscle memory failing to help pick up pace

Our lifestyle, including our eating habits and social circle, plays a significant part in nurturing a strong mind and will to deal with profound emotions in adverse life events such as bereavement or a loss on any front in life. A strong support system to share one’s grief and receive comfort and encouragement helps a person to overcome tough times.

Do’s

• Patient’s likes and dislikes regarding meals should be kept in mind since they provide temporary relief.
• Patient’s personal hygiene and cleanliness of his/her surroundings should be maintained. A tidy and clean environment is bound to have a positive impact on mood and emotions.
• Every positive act of the patient should be appreciated and promoted to help him/her develop an interest and desire to get around. 

Don’ts

• Consumption of excessive caffeine, alcohol or any other drug should be avoided to keep a clear head.
• Unnecessary and irrelevant topics must be avoided to keep the person away from negative thoughts leading to worsening of the condition.
• During the course of homeopathic treatment, one should avoid spicy or sour diet as it may negate the effect of medicines.
• Any strong medicines, strong-smelling foods or perfumes, soaps, etc. should be avoided as they often inflict migraines and irritation. 

Homeopathic treatment has been reported to completely cure depression without any further need of an antidepressant or even that of another homeopathic medicine.

A study conducted in 566 patients with self-reported depression observed that homeopathic treatment provides better results when compared to conventional care alone without any medication. These results were maintained even at 12 months and no side effects were reported. 

A study published in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative medicine reported a reduction in the use of psychotropic drugs upon taking homeopathic remedies in addition to conventional medicine. A combination treatment with homeopathic remedies was found to be much better than conventional medicines alone.

Homeopathic medicines are administered in diluted forms, which pose little or no risk of side effects. However, it is highly advised to consult an experienced and well-reputed practitioner to know the right medicine as per your disease condition. 

In a few instances, the condition of patient was seen to be worsened temporarily with homeopathy before getting better. This can be body’s response to the introduction of a remedy. Nonetheless, it is advised to report such events, so that a physician can upgrade the dosage or combination of medicines.

Homeopathic medications contain high levels of extremely dilute alcohol that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The high alcohol content may be unsuited to some patients, including infants, and can result in lethargy or dizziness, but this can easily be countered with a revised dosage.

The initial reaction of most people battling depression is to seek therapy from a reputed psychiatrist and get prescribed antidepressants to curb the negative thoughts and gloomy nature of the condition.

Even though homeopathic medicines are not a readily acceptable form of treatment, the fact remains that the vast range of homeopathic remedies and compositions offer a much better way to fight off depression and often helps people get rid of the condition completely over time.

Most homeopathic remedies do not have any side effects when taken under the supervision of an experienced doctor.