About depression: Depression is a state of mind. According to experts, depression is marked by a persistent sad and/or irritable mood that exceeds normal sadness or grief. This mood interferes with an individual’s normal physical and social functions. Depression may be temporary or chronic, depending on the cause, and requires treatment.

Symptoms: Common symptoms of depression are:

• constant sadness, irritability, or tension
• decreased interest in usual activities or hobbies
• loss of energy
• loss of appetite with weight gain/loss
• change in sleeping patterns
• feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
• thoughts of suicide or death

Causes: Depression has no single cause; often, it results from a combination of things. You may have no idea why depression has struck you.

Common factors involved in the occurrence of depression are:

1. Family history: Depression tends to run in families.
2. Trauma and stress: Financial difficulty, bad relationships, or a death in the family can bring on depression.
3. Health conditions: Terminal or other illnesses such as cancer and AIDS can make people depressed. 

Whatever the cause, depression is a result of physical changes in the brain. These changes are a result of imbalance in chemicals called neurotransmitters.

Home remedies:

1. A balanced, nutritious diet: Balanced meals rich in multi-vitamins (especially Vitamin B complex) and high fiber are good for fighting depression. Include nuts such as almonds and walnuts in your diet. Starting your day with a tall glass of fresh pulpy orange juice will set you off to a good start. Avoid coffee, sugar, and alcohol. Apples are also good for overcoming depression, especially when taken with a little honey and milk.
2. Home-made infusions:  Prepare an infusion by boiling ¼ teaspoon of holy basil/Indian basil and ½ teaspoon of sage per cup of tea. Drink this infusion twice a day. Alternatively, you can powder the seeds of one or two green cardamoms and add to a cup of boiling water with a little sugar. Drink this concoction twice a day.
3. Exercise: Make some sort of physical activity a part of your routine. Physical activity allows all the good hormones in your body to kick in. A good way to start your day is with a walk or a run in the park. Alternatively, you could do yoga or Pilates, both of which relax the body and mind at the same time.
4. Rest: Get adequate rest. If you have trouble falling asleep, drink chamomile tea at bed time. It’s an excellent relaxant. You could also use a lavender pillow at night. Lavender is known for its calming properties. Alternatively, you could burn lavender incense at bed time.
5. Happy company: Seek out happy people. Grow some flowers, pursue a hobby, or simply read a good book. Not thinking about your troubles can sometimes make them go away!

Ashwagandha
Also known as Indian Ginseng, ashwagandha is a pure herb that has been in use for hundreds of years in India. The herb reduces stress and soothes the entire nervous system. It promotes calmness and mental peace and helps keep away negative thoughts. It nourishes the brain, making it function better and more effectively.
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Brahmi
Also known as Bacopa, brahmi is a natural stress reliever. This pure herb has a soothing effect on the brain and is effective in treating depression. In addition, it improves memory and rids the brain of unwanted anxieties. Like ashwangandha, it nourishes the complete nervous system.
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Sumenta
Sumenta is a herbal supplement which is a combination of anxiolytics, anti-stress, and adaptogenic ingredients. All these ingredients are proven to be effective in cases of mixed anxiety depression and associated other disorders. .
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Gerifotre
Geriforte is a herbomineral formulation that is useful in treating geriatric stress and anxiety disorders, stress related anxiety, and occupational stress. This is especially formulated for older people.
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