This is a general and non-scientific overview of how alternative medicine might treat mental health issues. First, we will discuss mental health conditions before moving on to treatments such as homeopathy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as the “state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes his or her potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to her or his community.”
The WHO further describes mental health conditions as any brain disease, including schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, and anxiety disorders.
Before trying alternative medicine
It is essential to figure out whether or not there are any mental health concerns before trying alternative medicine. Many websites offer treatment guidance for certain conditions, but it may be beneficial to visit a medical professional first. Depending on the severity of what might be wrong with you, this is likely to involve prescription drugs. If you cannot afford to see a doctor or there is no clinic near you, please don’t give up; it might be possible for your GP (general practitioner) to send someone to visit you at home instead.
The most important thing with alternative treatments is that they must be safe; if not, the treatment itself will be doing more harm than good. Be sure to visit Health Stores or check out High Society Locations to find out more about specific products before purchasing any random products.
Try to be motivated
If you have a mental health condition, it can be challenging to find the motivation to exercise, eat healthily and stay social. The good news is that alternative medicine can help out here too. Certain herbs have been used for thousands of years for relaxation, sleep, and calming the mind. There are also treatments such as yoga which focus on breathing patterns and movement; this is thought to be helpful for stress relief.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine which originated from Germany in the 1800s and took a holistic approach to wellbeing. It is based on three principles: ‘like cures like’ the minimum dose and individualization. The first principle suggests that substances that can cause symptoms in a healthy person can be used to treat the same symptoms in a sick person (this is called ‘similia similibus curentur’).
As homeopathy and aromatherapy contain active ingredients, it is essential to note that they can interact with other drugs. This means if you are taking painkillers or blood thinners, for example, this could cause harmful side effects. Please do not take any herbal supplements without speaking to your doctor first or checking the side effects on reputable websites.
Most common herbs used
The two most common herbs used for anxiety are passionflower and valerian root. Herbalists often recommend passionflower to treat sleep problems, stress, high blood pressure, and epilepsy. It can also be taken in combination with other treatments such as counseling which will help with anxiety. Valerian root is a sedative that works by helping to relieve stress, improve sleep and reduce anxiety. It can help with depression, but it does have a slow action, so taking it before bedtime will give you the best results.
Phone a friend
If you feel there might be a concern, the next step would be to find out if any of your friends or family have used an alternative treatment for a mental health condition. It may also help to talk to someone from your local community who has experience helping others with mental health concerns. If this doesn’t work, try an online forum or support group.