A more common name for bipolar disorder is manic depressive disorder. In this mental illness, the patient goes through very extreme mood swings. Within a very short period of time, their moods can swing from really high to really low. We all may have our bad and good days, but people suffering from bipolar disorder are not able to switch on the middle ground for themselves. Their inner balance is all awry. They oscillate between two kinds of time periods. One is when they are so elated that nothing is impossible for them and another one is when they are under deep depression for weeks.

Signs and symptoms of bipolar disorder may vary from person to person. Some go through milder form of the mania that is hypomania and some go through complete manic episodes. At one point, the patient has this contagious optimism with so much energy in them that they can counter anything at all. However, after this stage comes a period of depression. The patient is flat on the floor and really low energy. Such depressive states can be very dangerous because they lead to suicides at a lot of times. If you ever notice such symptoms in yourself or others, you should look for professional help.

The actual cause of bipolar disorder is not yet known.  Some causes may be stress, physical changes in the brain, hormonal imbalance, genetic predisposition, traumatic experience, drug or alcohol abuse and an imbalance in brain chemicals.

Make sure you consult a specialist for treatment and diagnosis. After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, long-term treatment is required. Doctors may prescribe medications. If interested you can seek herbal remedies. Let’s discuss the top 10 natural remedies for Bipolar Disorder that can help a manic depressive.

1. Gingko Biloba

Gingko Biloba is a remarkable herb extracted from Gingko tree. It immensely helps in enhancing the memory. It is not only used to treat bipolar disorder but also other mental disorders. It makes the blood flow to your brain better dues to which aids in improving the memory function of brain. This herb is greatly helpful in combatting depression symptoms and making the mood better.

In order to notice positive changes, keep an intake of this herb on a regular basis for 8 to 12 weeks.

2. Fish Oil

Did you know that bipolar order is rare in those parts of the word where people consume fish and fish oil on a regular basis? Do you want to know why? Fish oil is known to enhance the function of brain and ward off depression. Fish oil is known to be rich in omega-3 fatty acids, hat help to minimize aggression and irritability. According to studies, omega-3 fatty acid is also responsible for reducing symptoms of depression. Now wonder they are good for people with bipolar disorder.

A dose of 1 to 9 grams is considered beneficial. Consult your doctor to prescribe you a proper dose. Consuming fish oil every day can fight frequent mood swings and depression. It is also advisable to consume fishes like trout, mackerel, tuna, herring and salmon as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acid. They can minimize the frequency of frenzied episodes.

3. Passion Flower

When it comes to bipolar disorder, passion flower is a great remedy because it soothes the nerves with its excellent sedative and tranquilizing qualities. This aids in minimizing anxiety and restlessness that the patient experiences during the manic episodes which means the right balance of neurotransmitter is being provided to the brain. If you want to get relief from depression and anxiety, take this herb every day. It also minimizes effects of insomnia caused because of depression and agitated phases.

• Take a cup of hot water and add one teaspoon of this herb.
• Allow it to steep for 15 minutes.
• Strain it.
• Consume it few times a day.

Note: this herb consists of no side effects, but it might result in an upset stomach. It is better to take this herb after discussing with the doctor.

4. Valerian Root

Owing to the strong sedative qualities of valerian root, it helps to give bipolar disorder patients with a good sleep. It soothes and relaxes their nerves. It is helpful in treating sleep and mood disorders. It is not only used for treating bipolar disorder but also other mental disorders. It is extremely beneficial for those with frequent and strong headaches. It minimizes nervous tensions, stress, restlessness and anxiety.

You won’t find it difficult to look for it in the market as it is available in various forms like tea bags, capsule, tablet, dried valerian root and liquid extract.

5. Flaxseed Oil

Flaxseed oil is full of alpha-linolenic acid which is a type of omega 3 fatty acid. It is extremely beneficial for reducing symptoms of bipolar disorder. It combats depression as a result of bipolar disorder and enhances the effect of conventional treatments of bipolar disorder. It is immensely compatible with conventional medications and eases manic depression to quiet an extent.

6. Licorice

Among the natural herbs, Licorice stands out to be very effective for bipolar disorder because it treats many symptoms linked to bipolar disorder. It raises the production of active hormones in the brain. It also consists of antidepressant qualities. Drinking licorice herbal tea on a regular basis will aid in minimizing symptoms of bipolar disorder. It is also effective for depression caused by bipolar disorder.

• Take a cup of hot water and add one teaspoon of dried licorice.
• Allow it to steep for 15 minutes.
• Strain it.
• Consume it few times a day.

7. St. John’s Wort

The therapeutic use of St. John’s Wort goes far back to ancient Greece. It is known to be a natural mood enhancer. It acts as an herbal antidepressant helpful in treating mild depression. However, studies have shown that it also has some positive effects on major depression.

One thing is to be taken not of. Just like other antidepressants, St John’s Wort can also cause mania. Moreover, it might interact with prescribed medicines.

8. Gotu Kola

A remarkable natural herb known by the name of Gotu Kola is known to be immensely effective for treating anxiety and depression in people. Gotu Kola helps to alleviate a variety of symptoms linked with bipolar disorder if taken regularly.

It is better to have a consultation with your doctor before start consuming this herb because people who are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs or medicines for diabetes must not use this herb.

9. Ginseng

Neuro-protective qualities of ginseng and this herb’s role as a natural oxidant make it effective in protecting the brain. Among other brain disorders that this herb helps in treating, bipolar disorder is one of them. It aids in enhancing the duration of attention, memory level, and concentration power of people suffering from bipolar disorder. It also treats depression caused by bipolar disorder. In addition to this, it provides relief from fatigue and lethargy caused by bipolar disorder. It can be either consumed as a supplement or tea.

• To prepare herbal tea from ginseng herbs, take a glass of water and add dried Asian ginseng powder in it.
• Allow it to boil for 10 minutes.
• Now strain this solution and let cool before you consume it.
• Drink at least 2 cups of this herbal tea daily. It will take 4 to 6 months of regular tea drinking to attain its benefits.

It is recommended that you consume this herb only after consulting with the doctor.

10. Yoga and Meditation

If you regular practice meditation and yoga, it not only helps with other chronic ailments but also a variety of mental disorders including bipolar disorder. Yoga consists of balancing and stretching the body to particular poses. These poses are accompanied by controlled meditation and breathing. On the whole, yoga and yoga-related activities only help in bringing a deeper sense of relaxation to the mind and body. This is the prime reason it is such a successful technique for so many things. So you should definitely allow some yoga into your life. The combination of meditation and yoga leaves a relaxing and revitalized effect in such patients.

What meditation basically does is make use of the mind in order to relax the body. It is a great exercise to relieve stress from your everyday life. It may help bipolar disorder patients find a middle ground to their reactions to the people and environment around them. Thus, yoga along with meditation can be very valuable part of the treatment. Although it won’t cure bipolar disorder, but it will help bipolar disorder patients remain relaxed as bipolar disorder only gets more aggravated by stress.

Plus yoga can be easily learned through online video or books. There are several helpful video tutorials available online. However, being a part of the regular class can give help you utilize this exercise to the full. It will give you a chance to learn from not only the teacher but others who are there in the class.

Resources

http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-living-managing
https://psychcentral.com/bipolar/herbs-for-bipolar-disorderhttps://www.psycom.net/bipolar-disorder-treatmenthttp://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/basics/alternative-medicine/con-20027544