Depression

Depression

1 in 6 people in the U.S. are depressed

Risk factors: Gender. more common in women due to changing hormones  possible increase in women seeking care.
Exposure to violence, genetics 2 to 3x chance if in family, divorce more for males,

Major depressive disorder 6.7% of adults main reason for disability.
Age of onset average 32.5
Adolescents 13% especially females.
Older adults especially with another Chronic condition

Depression is not a normal part of aging.
Major Depression
Single or reoccurring episode

Must have at least 5
sleep disturbance, appetite, low self-esteem
difficulty thinking or concentrating
worry, preoccupation  feelings of hopelessness

rule out bipolar, hypothyroid, and other health problems.

Adjustment Disorder- after a stress-er,  ie baby, home, break up, job
Psychotic Depression is when someone is seeing something that is not there.

Post Partum
Seasonal 
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
PTSD, Pain disorders, 
Transient depression -very common

Medications commonly prescribed
SSRI's
ie Lexipro
Activates our serotonin longer. take 2 to 8 weeks to work.

side effects
suicidal to be watched for in early stage, sexual dysfunction

interact with blood thinning drugs, tryptophan does interact.
st. Johns wort, yohimbe increase serotonin

SNRI's norepinephrine
Cymbalta, Effexor
side effects same plus heart palpitations

safe for pregnancy class c

Tricyclic,
Elavil inhibits the mechanism that removes the neurotransmitters as well as dopamine.
dry mouth, eyes, constipation,
bad interaction with cold or allergy medicine


MAOi's  Mono Amine Oxidase inhibitors.

a lot of compounds with a lot of side effects
no cheese, red wine, birth control, pain medication, caffeine
all can cause a hypertensive crisis,

Remiron, antagonizing seritonin receptors.
Wellbutrin, inhibits norepinefrin and dopamine not serotonin

antipsychotics
Severe fatigue, constipation, black box warning for the elderly


herbal help
St. John's Wort The flowering tops
the active constituents Hypericum
Bitter, Cooling
Anybody that has had prolonged periods of stress. antidepressent and anti anxiety
anti herpes or shingles
topically in is Anodyne a nervous pain, neuralgia, tingling,

mechanism of action
keeps serotonin and dopamine more available
studies have shown that it works as well as paroxetene with out the negative effects.
study on mice, induced depression in the mice and that changed the genes in the mice.Hypericum has been proven to undo this

Interacts with ssri's
causes us to break down other drugs faster that could be bad.
Good for someone with an overwhelmed system. Depression and Anxiety. Not Major Depression

Herbal anti depressants

Lavendula Lavender- the flower and the leaf
nerve tonic and antidepressant, anti spasms, good for digestion, anxiety.
study showed that just smelling lavender helps. 

Turnera Diffusa Damiana- Passionflower
aromatic and warming
afrodisiac,
antispasmotic,
antianxiety
no interactions, safe
vitalizing and relaxing


Rose, the flower drying and cooling
astringing dries up liquids.
strengthens circulations
studies showed rose essential oil helped sexual dysfunction
opens the heart and helps people set good boundaries
for grief
can smell for ext. or internal

Ocimum tenuflorum
Holy Basil Tulsi aromatic dry and warming
adaptogenic, antidepressent, antimicrobial
enhances memory, slight contraceptive effect, no pregnancy
help to connect with divine

Rhodiola Rosea root, astingent
Antioccidant, vitalizing, and calming
grief, anxiety

mimosa of silk tree Albizzia
he hwan pi, or hua drying or cooling helps us fall asleep quicker, possible anticancer
possibility for a manic episode, not for bipolar, not for yin deficiency
good for people who hold their anger inside.

other herbs to consider
lemon balm
Maca
hawthorn root
rosemary
betony
Gotu Kola

consider omega 3's dha, folates, minerals, vitamin d, amino acids,

Recommend Cognitive Behavioral therapy

herbs can be used with pharmaceuticals

Magnolia clear sinus fromula

Clinical Applications:
 
Allergy Formula
Rhinitis or sinusitis with clear and white nasal discharge
Seasonal allergies, especially in Spring
General nasal problems
Antiallergic and antihistamine effects to treat sinusitis and rhinitis
Anti-inflammatory effect to constrict the vessels in nasal mucosa
Antibiotic and antiviral effect
Respiratory Support
 
TCM Functions: Disperses wind and cold, Opens nasal orifices
 
Cautions and Contraindications:
 This formula is contraindicated during pregnancy and nursing.

Ingredients: Xin Yi (Flos Magnoliae)Bai Zhi (Radix Angelicae Dahuricae), Fang Feng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Gan Cao (Rx/Rz Glycyrrhizae), Gao Ben (Rz/Rx Ligustici), Sheng Ma (Rhizoma Cimicifugae), Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Cang Er Zi (Fructus Xanthii), dry-friedChe Qian Cao (Herba Plantaginis), Jie Geng (Radix Platycodonis), Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae), Cha Ye (Folium Camelliae), Zhi Shi (Fructus Aurantii Immaturus), Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae), Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis)

Solamen - Herb formula for chronic pain

Adapted from the classic formula Du Huo Ji Sheng Wan 

Chronic pain, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and other long-lasting non-inflammatory pain conditions such as sciatica and spinal stenosis, 

Ingredients:
Du huo – Radix Angelicae Pubescentis
Fang feng – Radix Ledebouriella Divaricatae
Qin jiao – Radix Gentianae Macrophyllae
Rou gui – Cortex cinnamomi
Chuan Xiong – Rhizoma Chuanxiong
Dang gui – Radix Angelicae Sinensis
Bai shao – Radix Paeoniae alba
Du Zhong – Cortex Eucommiae
Shu di huang – Radix Rehmanniae Preparata
Niu xi – Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae
Fu ling – Poria
Dang shen – Radix Codonopsis.

This herbal supplement is designed to nourish the blood, invigorate Qi, expel wind, and remove dampness, which can help ease symptoms such as cold pain, stiffness, and numbness in the lower back and knees caused by wind, cold, and dampness. 

How to take: 20 drops up to 3 times a day 

Solamen is made from raw, un-sulfured Chinese herbs of the highest quality. Prepared using traditional methods combined with modern pharmaceutical processes to extract the active ingredients and concentrate them into a tincture. The supplement can be added by adding 20 drops or a full dropper to meals three times a day.

Contraindication: This should not be used during pregnancy, and individuals with hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease, or those taking other medications should consult with a physician before use. While few adverse effects have been reported, if any negative symptoms occur, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention. Finally, keep the supplement out of reach of children and stop use if a fever develops.

White Ginseng

White Ginseng is an adaptogen. 

Adaptogens help the body adapt to internal and external stressors, boost energy and mental clarity, and regulate the immune system and blood sugar levels. White ginseng is less warming than red ginseng and therefore safer for people with inflammatory conditions.

Ginseng is especially useful for people who have had long-term stress or illness and are feeling run down. 

Ginseng should not be used for more than three months at a time. Ginseng may cause trouble sleeping so don't take it late in the day.

Jade Windscreen

 Jade Windscreen Yu ping Feng San  Immune tonic, upper respiratory antiinflamatory

1. For preventing cold or flu 
2. When feeling on the verge of getting sick.
3. Travel
4. During the spring or other allergy season
5. If allergic to pets, dust, or other potential allergens.
6. Spontaneous perspiration, aversion to Wind or Cold.

In a published study at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, researchers showed Yu Ping Feng San can regulate inflammatory response and phagocytosis thereby exerting anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects. Further studies by this same group in 2015 showed that Yu Ping Feng San also suppresses neuraminidase activity of influenza virus A, thereby preventing viral release and spreading in epithelial cells. Their conclusion was that Yu Ping Feng San exerts both antibacterial and antiviral effects in innate immunity.

In another published study, researchers showed that administration of Yu Ping Feng San effectively alleviated injury to the lung and suppressed the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and collagen deposition in COPD subjects. Yu Ping Feng San also was shown to significantly reduce inflammatory response in the COPD animal study subjects.

In a third study, also published by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, it was demonstrated that Yu Ping Feng San stimulates a bi-directional immune-modulatory role in the release of cytokines from macrophages. Additionally, Yu Ping Feng San was shown to up-regulate the phagocytic activity of macrophages.

How to use?
20 drops or a dropper full  3 times daily with or before meals.

Side Effects:

Contraindication: Do not take in the presence of a fever