Heel is a company that creates and manufactures homeopathic remedies for various illnesses, including Tonico-Heel for depression. The company began when physician Hans-Henrich Reckeweg researched homeopathic medicine as an approach to treating human diseases. After Reckeweg's death, his company became Heel. Heel distributes the original products from Reckeweg to health care practitioners and health stores in both the United States and foreign markets.
Depression
Depression, sometimes known as clinical depression, is a condition that has unknown cause. There are several factors the may be part of the formula for chronic depression, such as hormones or genetics. Symptoms include sadness, irritability, lack of interest in normal activities, low sex drive, agitation, trouble concentrating and change in appetite, just to name a few. For some, dealing with depression is life-long situation and it can affect all races and age groups. While it may be true that homeopathic remedies, such as Tonico-Heel, may help some, alternative medication should never replace proper medical diagnosis and care. Depression is a condition that can lead to suicidal thoughts or acts of violence. If you are clinically depressed, having thoughts of doom or have a desire to harm yourself or others, do not turn to a homeopathic treatment without seeking medical help first.
Tonico Heel for Depression
Tonico Heel is available in tablet and liquid form. The liquid suspension comes in an oral vial with 10-1.1 ml units per package. Tablets come in 100 unit bottles. The core ingredients are the same for each product type, but they do contain differences in inactive ingredients. For example, the liquid suspension in the oral vial consists of isotonic sodium chloride solution. The tablet uses a magnesium-stearate base. Both products are taken three times daily and not recommended for anyone under the age of 6.
Formula
The base formula for both the tablet and liquid product contains homeopathic herbs and medications designed to combat the symptoms of depression. Distributor Nutrition Dynamics lists the ingredients as nux vomica for irritablilty, kali phosphoricum for anxiety, aurum metallicum for depressive thoughts, chininum arsenicosum for fatigue, helonias dioica for melancholy, hypericum perforaturm for drowsiness and selenium metallicum for sadness.
Benefits
The manufacturer states that Tonico-Heel provides temporary relief from emotional distress associated with depression. The formula includes ingredients to treat mood, anxiety, nervous exhaustion, hyperactivity and poor concentration. The company's website does not include any clinical testing information about its products. It is unknown whether the substances included in Tonico-Heel have medical backing or proven effectiveness. MayoClinic.com does not list any of the ingredients in Tonico-Heel as a possible alternative treatment for depression.
Considerations
There are a number of complementary or alternative medicines that may help relieve symptoms of depression. MayoClinic.com lists St. John's wort, SAMe and omega-3 fatty acids as herbal remedies for depression. The important thing to remember is that depression is not a weakness or giving in to the blues; it is a serious illness. There can be no replacement for medical care when treating something as overwhelming as clinical depression. You should get a proper diagnosis from a medical professional and discuss possible alternative treatments with him. Heel lists no contraindications or side effects for its products. However, if pregnant or nursing, talk to a doctor before taking a supplement of any kind.
