Natural remedies for depression are needed by the more than 20 million adults in the United States who experience depression in a given year. Depression has many facets because sadness, grief, and mood swings are part and parcel of life. But if a two-week period has passed and a profound sadness shows no sign of getting better, the best recourse is to get properly diagnosed by a psychiatrist and have treatments recommended for depression.

Most psychiatrists will likely prescribe anti-depressants to address this problem. Anti-depressants work by increasing mood-elevating serotonin levels in the brain. However, in the process of doing so, people taking it could experience several undesirable side effects such as a dry mouth, palpitation, insomnia, drowsiness, anxiety, nausea, a decrease in libido, and headaches. Some psychiatric patients even opt to give up anti-depressants because they think being cured of depression yet feeling like a walking, talking zombie devoid of human emotions just won't do. Dependency on prescription drugs has also been a problem; patients sometimes experience a hard time being weaned from them. What's good about natural remedies for depression is that they are non-addictive, and get to the heart of curing depressive symptoms with little to no side effects.

Prescription mood stabilizers and anti-depressants also take some time to kick in and take effect. Some work after two weeks, others even longer than that. This can prove chafing for people in despair who want to feel better immediately. Fortunately, natural remedies for depression, especially ones at the preventive level, can have quick and lasting results.

Eat healthy. Having the right kind of mood-lifting food in your regular diet is still one of the best natural remedies for depression. In fact, studies have shown that nutritional deficiencies can be considered one of the biggest causes of mood disorders. Go for fiber-rich food such as oatmeal, cereals, brown rice, whole-wheat bread, and plenty of green leafy vegetables and brightly colored fruit.  Also increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acid-rich fare typically found in cold water fish such as tuna, salmon, sardines, and anchovies. Omega-3 fatty acids help keep cell membranes healthy and neurotransmitters functioning properly. Avoid over-processed fare which can wreak havoc with your blood-sugar level because the brain and nervous system easily pick up its fluctuations and reflect on your mood. Cut back on food rich in sugars, carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol, or else take them out of your daily consumption completely.

Try nature's anti-depressants. Perhaps you've already heard about St. John's wort and how it has long been depended on (and sworn) by mildly to moderately depressed people to cure them. Perhaps one of the most popular natural remedies for depression, St. John's wort is particularly effective at treating insomnia without the side effects of prescription drugs. Gingko biloba is also considered one of nature's best sadness cures because it primarily helps improve memory, but also helps increase blood flow to the brain. When considering natural supplements such as these, make sure to consult your doctor about the proper dosages so they can work their best in the shortest possible time.