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| taking only two instead of the usual six weeks. Another antidepressive contender is kava. In one of several German studies, over 50 people began feeling relief from depression and severe anxiety after only one week. Their alertness, attention, memory and sense of well-being all improved. A compound called kavain can work as well as benzodiazepine to relieve problems with memory, attention and reaction time resulting from anxiety. 33 |
| Aromatherapy For Depression |
| Just the aroma of some herbs helps lift depression. Some of my favorites are the citrus antidepressants, such as neroli or orange blossom, bergamot, orange and lemon (named roughly in order of their effectiveness). Some others are lemon balm or melissa, recommended for 2,000 years to make the heart "merry," and chamomile and lavender. Even inhaling the aroma of a cup of chamomile tea will relieve depression. When deciding which herb to use, choose the one you find most appealing. You should not expect aromatherapy to be as potent as antidepressant herbs taken orally, but you may be pleasantly surprised at how effective they are. |
| Baths are an excellent way to use essential oils, and this is especially true for depression because hot water itself is therapeutic. Psychiatrists at Michigan State University discovered that 30 minutes of soaking in a hot bath helps dissolve melancholy, anxiety and hostility. Massage with aromatherapy oils is also helpful. For the very best results, combine both. In a study conducted by the Touch Research Institute of the University of Miami Medical School and funded by the National Institutes of Health, massage |
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