Natural Remedies: Therapeutic and Anti-Depressant Properties of Honey, Lemon Balm, Selenium-Rich Foods and Vitamins B-Rich Foods

Honey

Honey is regarded as a mood elevator. It is one of the best remedies for physical and mental tension. Whenever a person feels depressed and tired, he should take two teaspoons of honey dissolved in warm water. This will help overcome depressive mood. Honey contains levulose, dextrose and other sugars, which gives instant energy and a person feels active and stimulated after its ingestion. An excellent brain tonic is to soak seven almonds in water overnight and take them with a tablespoon of honey in the morning after removing the skin.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an important culinary herb of the mint family. It is considered as an anti-depressant food and has been used successfully in the treatment of mental depression. It alleviates brain fatigue, lifts the heart from depression and raises the spirits. A cold infusion of the balm taken freely is reputed to be excellent for its calming influence on the nerves. About 30 grams of the herb should be placed in half a litre of cold water and allowed to stand for twelve hours. The infusion should then be strained and taken in small doses throughout the day.

Selenium-Rich Foods

There is interesting new evidence that eating foods rich in trace mineral selenium can improve moods. Psychologists David Benton and Richard cook, at University College in Swansea, recently discovered that people eating the least selenium were the most anxious, depressed and tired, and generally felt much better when they got adequate selenium. In a controlled study, 50 healthy men and women, aged 14 to 74, took either 100 micrograms of selenium a day or medicine for five weeks.

After six months, they switched to the opposite pill. The selenium in their diet was also measured. Throughout, tests were conducted to judge their moods as to whether they were more composed or anxious, agreeable or hostile, elated or depressed, confident or unsure, energetic or tired and clearheaded or confused. The surprising results were that mood improved markedly when the subjects got enough selenium. Further, the greater their previous selenium deficiency, the greater their lift in mood.

The researchers concluded that a subtle selenium deficiency, not enough to cause the disease, puts a curb on mood. Thus, correcting the slight deficiency would normalize the mood, but getting more of the mineral does not boost mood further. Rich vegetarian sources of selenium are garlic, onions, tomatoes and milk. Selenium influences mood presumably due to its antioxidant power.

Vitamins B-Rich Foods

Vitamin B deficiency has also been associated with depression. Dr. Priscilla, associate clinical professor at the University of California, prescribes nutritional therapy to build up brain chemicals, such as serotonin and norepine-phrine that affect mood and are often lacking in depressed people. She recommends eating foods rich in B Vitamins, such as whole grains and green vegetables.

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