Treating depression/anxiety without going to doctor

I found some tips via The Sacramento Bee newspaper about how to deal with depression and anxiety without having to visit a doctor, in case you're short on cash or don't have insurance. I'm not sure how well any of these would work, but I thought I'd share them in case it helps anyone else ...

• SAMe can work wonders for depression, and can also help to reduce arthritis pain. Start with 200 mg twice daily and slowly build up to 400-800 mg twice daily. Nature Made makes a nice SAMe product. Caution: do not take SAMe if there is a risk of manic depression or significant anxiety.
• Kava Nakamal, made by the Eclectic Institute, is a safe preparation of kava that can be used for anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pain. Try one capsule 3 times daily as needed.
• Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that helps to soothe frazzled nerves and enhance sleep. As an added benefit, it may even improve libido in women. Try 500 mg 2-3 times per day
• Holy basil is another Ayurvedic herb that can help to reduce stress and inflammation and improve mental clarity. Try 400 mg twice daily as needed.
• Rhodiola, aka Arctic root, can reduce both depression and anxiety and also improve fatigue. Start with 100-150 mg/day and gradually work up to 400-500 mg per day.
• Lemon balm and passionflower are calming herbs, and both can be taken as teas. Try a soothing cup of tea in the evening before bedtime.
• Lavender oil is very soothing for many people; you can use it in a diffuser, or put a drop or 2 of the oil on your temples.

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