Donna McGrath is a licensed Medical Technologist, having a Master's Degree in Chemistry, and worked as a Molecular Biologist at the NIH.  Donna will provide you with the most  accurate and up-to-date information on better health!

Healthful Hints

By Donna McGrath, M.T. (ASCP), M.S., C.H.T., D.D.

Traditional versus Alternative Treatment Options for Depression

In our last newsletter, I discussed anxiety, fear, and stress and how they can lead to a variety of symptoms, which can be helped through using various alternative therapies. In this edition, I will cover depression, a condition which often goes hand in hand with anxiety, and has been classified by modern allopathic doctors as an “emotional” or “psychological” disorder, commonly caused by a “chemical imbalance” in the brain.

The broad term depression is used to classify a number of symptoms including lack of energy, difficulty with thinking or concentration, low self-esteem, feelings of hopelessness and despair and a lack of interest in daily activities. The causes are said to be impaired neurotransmitter function, nutritional deficiencies, and low serotonin levels. Since the hormone serotonin is said play a strong role in patient mood status, most prescription drugs are focused on increasing this level in patients. Drugs such as Prozacâ, Paxilâ, Zoloftâ, Wellbutrinâ and Effexorâ are the most prescribed for mild to moderate depression. Drawbacks of these synthetic drugs can be as follows: decreased libido, dry mouth and throat, anxiety, and an emotionally numb feeling. I have heard several reports of feeling better for a few days, then needing a ever-increasing dosages of these drugs to continue the “good feelings” they promote. Again, as I stated last week, I have no idea why a physician would prescribe these to patients who are suffering with a concurrent anxiety disorder, as they cause anxiety as side effects themselves.

If you are currently on anti-depressant therapy and wish to ween off it, get in touch with your physician, and ask for a specific program to gradually lower your dosage. Stopping anti-depressant therapy suddenly could lead to a major emotional upheaval if not done properly.

St. John’s Wort

The root extract of the herb, St. John’s Wort, (Hypericum perforatum) has shown itself to be as effective as the above drugs, only without the major side effects. In a 1996 British Medical Journal, which studied 31 patient trials, St. John’s Wort was pointed to as an excellent natural therapy for mild to moderate depression. Current clinical dosages are 300 mg. of St. John’s Wort standardized to 0.3% hypericin, (the effective ingredient), taken 3 times per day. (Note: a side effect may be photosensitivity, which may cause skin redness in individuals exposed to the sun).

If sun photosensitivity is a problem, you may want to consider taking it in the form of a homeopathic remedy. The homeopathic from Hyland called Hypericum 30cc can be taken three times per day and seems to be milder, without the side effects.

A combination product that I particularly like is a St. John’s Wort, gingko biloba, and ginseng combo product called St. John’s Wort Extract Plus by Foremost or Reliance Vitamin Company, Branchburg, NJ. The ginseng in the product provides a little lift in energy levels and the gingko biloba provides an increased ability to focus and concentrate.

Should you want to stay away from St. John’s Wort altogether, another newer supplement that has been very effective against depression is SAM-e.

SAM-e

Sam-e is a natural substance produced by the body as a breakdown product of the amino acid methionine. In many studies Sam-e has been found to decrease the effects of depression. It has also been found to help in cases of arthritis and Parkinson’s disease. It has been found as effective as most pharmaceutical drugs. The recommended dosage from the studies is 1500-1600 mg. per day. Sam-e from Nature’s Plus, Da Vinci, Solgar or Reliance Vitamins are all excellent products.

Flower Essences

Flower essences are homeopathic liquid remedies distilled from the “essence” or “spirit” of various flowers. They were found by Dr. Edward Bach, an English allopathic physician, when after experiencing a near-death experience, he found that he was more emotionally sensitive. While walking through meadows, he was able to acutely sense which flowers would heal which type of emotional imbalance. He formulated 38 essences, the Bach Flower Flower essences, each transmuting a different emotional disturbance to its positive state. I have used very effectively on myself to overcome many different emotional conditions. A couple of drops of the essence under the tongue, helps to “fill in your spiritual aura” in areas that are void of light. These are not essential oils, therefore, they do not smell fragrant.

The Bach combination essence called Rescue Remedy has been used in severe cases of trauma or can be used for every day stress. Before a stressful situation, such as a discussion with your boss, a family argument or while driving in congested traffic, a few drops can be taken to calm and center your nerves. I used it long term, for 1 ½ years to battle anxiety and stress. It finally rebalanced me so that I find it difficult to really “lose it” emotionally.

In regards to specific remedies for depression, the Bach Flower Essence, gorse is for extreme hopelessness and despair, for those who have been suffering with a chronic disease for a long time and have given up. After use it promotes a sense of faith and hope, despite their prognosis. It makes the patient feel brighter and happier, with hope that they are on the road to recovery. Look for physical signs which show a need for this on the following body areas: under the left rib, below right hip, left side of neck in back or side, the middle left spinal area, left forearm, right leg on side above knee.

Gentian is the flower essence for those with a negative, pessimistic outlook, who are easily discouraged by setbacks. The positive condition that this manifests after use becomes a knowledge that there is no such thing as failure, and that setbacks will be eventually overcome.

Mustard is the flower essence whose negative state shows up as a sudden deep gloom with seemingly no origin. Depression comes out of the blue and descends like a black cloud for no apparent reason. The positive outcome after taking this is that the patient should have a cheerful disposition and is supported by an inner peace and stability, which cannot be shaken.

I teach a class in flower essences, discussing both the internal and external application of them for various conditions, so you will hear me speak of them in further columns in more detail. If you would like me to lecture on them in your area, please e-mail me your request.

A Unique Approach

A unique approach to the solving the depression puzzle might be to simply strengthen the immune system. I found this out by taking Transfer Factor by 4-Life Research myself over a period of time. I noticed that before each day’s dosage I felt weak emotionally, but after I took my dose, I always was in a good mood afterward. I spoke about transfer factor two issues ago, explaining that it is an immune boosting derivative of mother’s milk, which passes immunity from mother to child in colostrum. It makes sense that immune function would parallel mood. Again, if you would like to order transfer factor, please e-mail me at dawnawolfe@yahoo.com.

Coping Naturally

Other options to use while trying to pull oneself out of depression are the following: taking a walk in the park or a natural setting, swimming, walking, exercising and stretching, and basically changing your scenery. Do something you absolutely LOVE to do. Go to the beach, get your hair cut, buy some small item that you have been needing. Also, don’t beat yourself up for being depressed. Depression is present to demonstrate to you that the body needs emotional healing. Often, time does not allow for this in our fast-paced world. Be kind to yourself and allow the time for the depression to process and lift. Talk to a friend or counselor about why you might feel depressed, then make some changes in your life that will bring you to a more blessed state of inner peace and happiness.

Many Blessings, Peace, and Vitality to you, as you embrace your missions for 2001!

Eternal Love and Light,

Donna McGrath

As always, if you have any questions regarding this article, please contact me by e-mail at dawnawolfe@yahoo 

      Special Thanks to… Elaine Barnick of The Fountain of Vitality Health Food Store in Warren, NJ and Renee Huseman Of The Fountain of Vitality in Belle Mead, NJ for supplying reference materials for this article.

ART BELL resumes his reign as host of:  

 'Coast to Coast' 

on Feb. 5th!! 1am to 6am ET

Angelspeake

By Barbara Mark & Trudy Griswold

Gideon

Angels don't seem to know anything about time. Whenever they want to talk they are not the least bit shy in letting us know it.

We have learned that when we can't sleep or we wake up very early in the morning, it is the angels inviting us to write them. That is when they can get our attention best. We meet new angels, feel more connected to the energy, have more time, and the messages are often longer and more detailed.

Recently a new angel named Gideon came to us in the middle of the night. He makes lists! It is 1, 2, 3, etc. We find his lists constructive and helpful in planning our spiritual work. Often people ask what our messages are like. 
Here is some of what Gideon dictated shortly after the first of the year:

Dear Ones,
1) Go back to past messages and see what we have written. You are on track and will finish what you have begun today, so you will be able to continue with other things.
2) Eat better! You have wreaked havoc on your chemistry long enough. Go back to your normal eating plan. It won't be as hard as you think.
3) Stop worrying. You are getting in the habit once again.
4) You are concerned about money. There is plenty of money, just because you can't see it doesn't mean it is not there. Believe and Ask for our help in understanding it.
5) Clean your office. It is too cluttered to think in. Be aware of its order so you can remember better.
6) Talk to all you helpers. Plan your strategy for 2001.
7) We are taking care of more and more for you. There are no accidents or bad timings or half-done jobs. If we tell you to do one thing and it turns out to be a little different, do not worry about it. You are ALWAYS following a divine order that has been planned for many millennia. Your part is important and shall be done. Inspiration will always come when you need it. You think in your head that nothing is going on. That is because you need to complete one thing so you can focus on another. After today you will have room in your life to make plans for other things.
8) January is the time for planning. It is the ONE month. It is like an ACE in your card decks and can be counted on to form the base for your year. Last year you planned the events for 2000. It worked well, did it not? Think of all that happened last year. Think of what you did last year to further your spiritual work and to help others. You don't think you are doing much. That is not how we see it.

Be proud of your accomplishments, for they have been many. Also, consider how many souls were touched by the message that reaches thousands through Angelspeake books. That passive action, where your active work is done but the energy continues, touches more than all the other things you did throughout the year in person.

Continue; be proud of your life. Enjoy it. Feel the energy grow. The Work we are doing through you and your students is very powerful. All will become clearer this year. We are here, and we love you. You feel it.
Gideon

Faith Builder: Write your angels for a New Year's Reading on how you can plan your year.
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Trudy and Barbara are sisters. Both were awakened by their angels and have since been teaching people all over the world how to work with their own angels. They are authors of three best-selling "Angelspeake" books. Ordering information for autographed copies of their latest, "Heaven and Beyond," is available on www.angelspeake.com.

(C) Copyright 2001 Barbara Mark & Trudy Griswold
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