Ayurvedic Approach to Dealing with Depression

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses worldwide, affecting approximately 300 million people (4.4 percent of the world’s population) and 17.3 million US adults (approximately 1 in 12). Women are nearly twice as likely as men (8.7 percent vs. 5.3 percent) to suffer from depression, with adolescence, postpartum, and perimenopause being especially risky times. Depression has a significant economic impact. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide. It is also one of the most common reasons people seek out integrative or complementary therapies and providers.

Psychological Perspectives

Healing depression is something that requires time, focus, and effort on multiple levels. Here are five key psychological steps that can provide a useful foundation for the endeavor.

Choose to accept the self exactly as it is—with the parents, the body, and the circumstances present. Trust that things are as they are for a reason, even if you do not understand it. Few people live up to the exact ideal they have for themselves. To be happy, you have to choose to care for (and eventually love) yourself as you are, including your perceived flaws and difficulties.
Make constant inquiry into your mind and heart. Be mindful of your emotions throughout the day. This could mean catching a stream of negative self-talk and substituting more supportive affirmations (classic cognitive therapy and pratipaksha-bhavana in ancient yogic philosophy). It could also mean changing what you are doing (behavioral therapy).
Honor your yes and no. A factor in many cases of depression involves not honoring your truth. The question, “What do I want (right now)?” is important. Take action to follow things that feel aligned with your authentic yes. Say no to things that feel uncomfortable in your body or heart.
Take responsibility for your choices. If you feel your goals and wishes (your “yesses”) are being rejected—by life, yourself, partner, or family—you often end up unhappy. This is a complex issue, however. Dreams and wishes are not always straightforward. “Yes” is not always crystal clear. It is important to acknowledge this. Otherwise, you can mistakenly blame other people for your choices and your happiness. Remember: You need challenges to develop specific strengths, which are the fuel for spiritual growth. In turn, you can help others in similar situations.
See the self holistically. All seemingly negative traits have positive aspects. The core qualities of people’s most “negative” traits are often tied to their greatest strengths. As a psychiatrist who is also an astrologer, I have found several patterns of susceptibility to depression in people’s astrological charts. Saturn (order, restriction, heaviness) is usually involved, as is Pluto (intensity, transformation, obsession). A prominent Saturn may make someone depression-prone, but it also makes them conscientious, reliable, and capable—very useful traits. A prominent Pluto can make a person depressed but also determined, resilient, and charismatic.

Ayurvedic Perspectives

Viewed through an Ayurvedic lens, depression is usually thought of as a Kapha imbalance—heaviness, sadness, and general stagnation. Apathy, low energy, poor mood, and reduced movement are part of the official criteria psychiatrists use to diagnose depression. These symptoms are all Kapha problems, which suggests that the Kapha element is indeed out of balance in most cases of clinical depression.

From a more comprehensive Ayurvedic standpoint, there are three subtly different types of depression corresponding to the three doshas. These unique types of depression may preferentially affect people of that same primary dosha. They can also affect people of a different primary dosha who have the affected dosha(s) out of balance.

Kapha Depression

Associated with lethargy, increased sleep, poor motivation, despondency, and ama (toxicity), lies Kapha depression. It is the most common and longest-lasting type--due to the inherently slow-moving nature of Kapha. The treatment approach varies but includes the general principles of increasing movement, reducing toxicity, and enhancing ojas (vitality). Some science-backed recommendations are:

Thirty minutes of yoga daily (especially Sun Salutations)
Thirty minutes of outdoor exercise daily (start gentle and increase to moderate intensity). Spend time in nature at least once a week.
Increase fresh vegetables in your diet. Reduce processed foods and sugars (including alcohol, which is a depressant).
Eat warm, spicy meals. Reduce cold food and smoothies. Add pungent, warming herbs such as cayenne and cinnamon to meals.
Consider fresh-squeezed veggie juice to help the body detoxify. A program of physician-supervised cleansing (called panchakarma in Ayurveda) could be helpful.
Consume ginger tea morning and night. (Cut and boil a 2–3-inch piece of organic ginger. Steep 20 minutes.) Also helpful for Vata depression.
Take 350–400 mg of the herb ashwagandha morning and night. Ashwagandha enhances thyroid function, and supplementing the thyroid is a standard adjunct treatment for depression within Western psychiatry. Caution for Pitta dosha or Pitta-type depression (see below), as increased thyroid activity could actually worsen agitation in that population. Ashwagandha is helpful for Vata, however.
Consume 1 teaspoon dulse, nori, wakame, or other seaweed three times per week. Seaweeds can cause a subtle increase in energy, metabolism, and body temperature with a possible slight reduction in depression.
Take 20–30 mg/day of the spice saffron.
- Use caution and discuss with your physician if already on an SSRI or other pharmaceutical.
Perform a daily self-massage (abhyanga) with a warming oil, such as sesame. Massage is known to reduce cortisol levels and increase serotonin/dopamine, making it a useful practice for depression.
Consider 120–250 mg/morning of the herb Rhodiola.
- Use caution/discuss with your physician if on SSRIs.
Consider taking 500–2,000 mg/day of cardamom. Cardamom reduces inflammation, congestion, and mucus throughout the body (possibly also helping irritable bowel or inflammatory bowel disorder). It has an indirect effect on depression.
Avoid binge-watching, excessive internet use, and similar sedentary activities, as these promote Kapha accumulation.
Clean the house, make the bed, bathe, and get dressed daily. Set a commitment for social interaction one to three times/week. Taking action to promote vitality is essential.

Pitta Depression

Like Pitta imbalance, Pitta depression is a more agitated state. It is highlighted by frustration, anger, irritability, and impulsivity. There is a higher risk of suicide with this type of depression due to the impulsivity and agitation. In traditional psychiatry, this might be thought of as a “mixed depression” (depression blended with manic or bipolar symptoms) or an “agitated depression.” This condition may be more common in a person who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder or has some tendencies along the bipolar spectrum.

Pitta depression can be improved by general principles of cooling and soothing. Research-based remedies include the following:

Twenty to thirty minutes of slow, restorative yoga daily. Avoid hot yoga and excessively vigorous exercise.
Meditate for 20 minutes daily, possibly under a tree in nature.
Walk by the ocean, a lake, or a stream for at least 30–60 minutes a day. Water is cooling for Pitta.
Increase alkalinity in the body through green drinks, salads, and fresh vegetables.
Increase cooling foods, such as fresh fruit and smoothies.
Avoid spicy food, which imbalances Pitta.
Avoid alcohol during healing (and be mindful afterward). Alcohol is acidic, which aggravates Pitta.
Aloe vera juice can be helpful to Pitta. One cup or more per day is cooling and anti-inflammatory. Since inflammation is a factor in many cases of depression, there is a probable indirect effect on depression.
Consider taking 400–800 mg/day of the herb shatavari (asparagus racemosus). It is a cooling herb with a balancing effect for Pitta. In Ayurveda, balancing the doshas impacts the mood.
Bacopa is another Pitta-balancing herb with promise regarding depression. This herb is also being studied for schizophrenia, ADHD/focus, memory, epilepsy, and anxiety. Start with 350–400 mg/day to start; work up to 800 mg/day, if well tolerated.
Ginkgo is a cooling herb best known for its neuroprotective benefits; aim for 120–240 mg/day. It seems these do extend (at least partially) to mood.
- Do not take if you are on a blood thinner, including aspirin, or if you have been diagnosed with a bleeding disorder.
Begin daily consumption of cilantro (a handful/day) and coriander seed (1 teaspoon/meal). Both are cooling, and cilantro is detoxifying, especially for heavy metals. Five to 10 chlorella (edible algae) tablets optimize the effect.
Consider an organized cleansing program, including liver support herbs.
Sweet tastes and fragrances such as rose and other flowers balance Pitta. (Lavender and rose aromatherapy improved depression and anxiety in a group of post-partum women vs. control.) Rose essential oil diffused daily or used on the skin with a carrier oil may help balance Pitta (and Vata).
The Ayurvedic herb arjuna can be helpful to balance sadhaka Pitta, the aspect of Pitta that governs emotions. Arjuna has a long history of use for various dysfunctions of the heart muscle (heart failure, palpitations, hypertension), but it also seems to have an emotionally soothing aspect. Take 500–1,000mg/day.

Vata Depression

Characterized by worry, restlessness, insomnia, and “ungroundedness,” a person with Vata depression often will have an overload of the stress hormone cortisol. They generally have pushed themselves (or felt pushed) beyond their capabilities and become overwhelmed. This is a bit like the classic “nervous breakdown,” which is not an official medical diagnosis. In psychiatry, Vata depression is usually thought of as a combined anxiety-depressive disorder. There is a strong ruminative component to this state—an inability to shut off the mind.

Key principles for healing Vata depression are grounding, warming, and calming. A few specific recommendations for Vata-type depression are:

Aim for 15–30 minutes yoga daily, followed by 15–30 minutes of seated meditation. Routine and discipline are very helpful for Vata.
Loneliness is common in Vata depression, so commit to at least one social activity/week.
Connection to nature is crucial due to the inherently ungrounded qualities of Vata. Spending 30 minutes or more outside every day—sitting on the ground, touching a tree, or gardening—can be highly therapeutic.
Increase consumption of warm, nourishing whole foods such as soup, kitchari, and baked vegetables. Avoid dry, processed food (chips, crackers) and reduce cold foods (salads, smoothies).
Drink 2 tablespoons of loose tulsi (holy basil) tea three or four times a day. Alternatively, take 800–-1,000 mg/day in capsule form.
The Western herbal treatment St. John’s Wort can be helpful for this kind of depression, as well as the Kapha type. In terms of qualities, St. John’s Wort is bitter and pungent. Because bitterness can aggravate Vata, start with a small dose (300 mg/day). With Kapha symptoms, the dose may need to be higher: 300 mg two or three times per day. This herb stabilizes prana Vata, the aspect of Vata that governs the brain and neurotransmitters.
- Do not take this supplement with birth control pills. It can render oral contraception ineffective because it speeds up hormone processing in the liver.
- Do not take if on an SSRI, unless under the guidance of an experienced physician.
Passionflower is a wonderful supplement, especially in conjunction with St. John’s Wort. Passionflower is calming to the nervous system, which is why it is included in the Vata section. It has ever-increasing evidence supporting its use for anxiety. Paired with St. John’s Wort, the effect is synergistic: greater benefit for both anxiety and depression than either used alone. By pure Ayurvedic qualities, this herb could also help Pitta depression; aim for a dosage between 400–800 mg/day.
Chamomile is worth considering for Vata-type depression. High doses may be a bit drying, but at moderate doses, the soothing effect predominates. It is evidence-based for anxiety, and new studies suggest it may have anti-depressant effects as well, at doses of 250–500 mg/day.
The Ayurvedic herb jatamansi has a long history of use as a Vata-balancer with doses ranging from 450-1,000 mg/day. It is commonly used for anxiety and sleep. It may have some mild anti-depressant benefits as well.
Ashwagandha was discussed in the Kapha section, but it is also an effective balancer of Vata. Thus, it deserves to be part of the Ayurvedic approach to either Vata or Kapha depression between 350–800 mg/day.
Gotu kola can be beneficial to all of the doshas, but since it perhaps has the strongest evidence for use with anxiety, it is included here. There are no studies (yet) looking at gotu kola for depression in humans, but there are several rodent studies suggesting benefit; consider a dose of 700–1,400 mg/day.
Daily probiotics are beneficial for all doshas, especially Vata and Kapha since they have naturally weaker digestion compared to Pitta. The data is resoundingly favorable and becomes even more so if specific strains of bacteria are ingested. B. longum, L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri, and L. helveticus are several that have been found especially helpful.
Turmeric has received much publicity due to its extensive scientifically documented success with depression at doses of 1,500–2,000 mg/day. Take with black pepper. Prolonged high doses may be aggravating for Vata and Pitta, but temporary use is helpful for all doshas.
Practice daily self-massage with a warming oil (sesame or almond).
Encourage restful sleep with bedtime around 10 p.m. Use herbs to support this, if needed. Ashwagandha, passionflower, tulsi, and jatamansi can help.

Spiritual Perspectives

Depression is an opportunity—a chance to face your darkest thoughts and feelings with understanding and openness. It is a chance to nurture and heal yourself. Spiritually, transforming depression involves facing one’s own depths and coming to terms with choices, disappointments, fears, traumas, and more. Each case of depression is unique, but the common answer to all of them is your own love. If you are willing to open your heart to your own pain and make compassionate space for it, you are on your way to healing.

If you suffer from depression, take the wildest self-affirming action possible and fully commit to being here—on the planet and in your body. Wishing to leave is distracting and essentially delays healing. Have compassion for your soul for choosing a challenging life. Honor your soul’s wisdom by vowing to walk your unique path, even if it’s hard—even with depression.

Depression is your teacher. Trying to understand it will teach you about yourself and the world. Cultivating happiness is a practice. Every day requires maintenance. Try not to doubt your journey. Integrate your prior choices and values into your current sense of self. This will help you feel cohesive and strong. Feeling empowered now makes it easier to create a future that includes a heart at peace. The road is inward and may be long, but a heart at peace in a balanced body will surely find its way.

Feel like yourself again at the Chopra Health Retreat. A 6-day immersion into mind, body, spirit well-being that will give you the tools and wisdom for lasting transformation. Learn more.

*Editor’s Note: The information in this article is intended for your educational use only; it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition and before undertaking any diet, supplement, fitness, or other health programs.

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