Jujube Fruit
This fruit comes from Central Asia where it has been used in traditional medicine for centuries thanks largely to its antioxidant compounds which may also be able to fight depression symptoms by increasing serotonin levels. Jujubes are usually eaten raw but they do have another benefit: jujube peel extract contains an amino acid called arginine which is thought to increase brain activity and dopamine levels, which may also help to lift your mood.
One study suggests that jujubes can improve depression symptoms within a day of eating them and make the negative thoughts disappear completely in just two days! It’s not clear how long any improvements will last for but it does seem promising!
Turmeric Root
This herb has been used as an anti-inflammatory agent in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries because of its ability to reduce pain and inflammation without causing stomach upset as other drugs would do. Turmeric root contains compounds called curcuminoids which are thought to mimic serotonin once they get into the brain, meaning this might be able to treat depression too – although more research is needed before we know this with certainty.
If you want to try turmeric, you can either make it into a tea with three tablespoons of water and five minutes’ steeping time before straining off any remaining ingredients; alternatively, add some freshly grated root (one teaspoon) or ground powder (half a teaspoon) to your food.
Ginger Root
This is one of the most popular herbs in traditional Eastern medicine thanks largely to its potent anti-inflammatory properties which have been shown to help reduce pain levels for centuries! Ginger also contains compounds called gingerols that may mimic serotonin when they get into the brain, meaning this might be able to fight depression just as easily – although again more research is needed. You could use fresh ginger pieces by adding them directly into whatever dish you’re cooking, or you could use ginger in a tea by adding three tablespoons of boiling water and steeping for five minutes before straining off the remaining plant material.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are distilled from plants like lavender, peppermint, and rosemary which can be used as aromatherapy to help treat depression. You might think that these won’t work because they don’t contain any active ingredients but this isn’t entirely true: some essential oils do contain compounds called terpenes which have been shown to act on serotonin receptors both outside of your body and within it too! Some researchers believe that inhaling peppermint oil while looking at pictures (or videos) of happy things may even affect mood more than just smelling it alone.
Conclusion
If you’re feeling down and want to find a natural way to treat your depression, try one of the herbs or plants mentioned above. It’s not clear how effective these treatments will be at improving mood long term but it certainly won’t hurt – so why not give something new a go?
