Mental Health
Mental Illness
A broad category of conditions affecting mental function — from depression and anxiety to psychosis — strongly influenced by colon toxicity, food allergies, nutritional deficiency, and heavy metal load.
Also known as: psychiatric disorder, neurotic syndrome, psychotic syndrome, mental disorder, edema (definition: swelling caused by fluid buildup in tissues)
📝 At a glance
Likely root causes: Nutritional deficiencies affecting brain cell function; autointoxication and chronic constipation (there is a direct relationship between the transverse colon and the brain — a clogged colon triggers mental symptoms in susceptible people); food allergies (can cause brain edema affecting personality, reflexes, and central nervous function — including 'masked' allergies that don't cause symptoms for hours after eating).
First thing to try: Remove 'glue foods' that clog the colon and produce mucus and toxins: white flour, sugar, eggs, meat, peanuts, and dairy products.
See a doctor if: This is a potentially serious condition that requires professional medical diagnosis and care. See a doctor promptly — the suggestions here are gentle, supportive measures only and are not a substitute for medical treatment.
🔎 Start with the cause
Lasting relief rarely comes from covering a symptom. First find what is feeding the problem, change what you can, and then help the body do what it was designed to do — heal.
Likely root causes
- Nutritional deficiencies affecting brain cell function
- autointoxication and chronic constipation (there is a direct relationship between the transverse colon and the brain — a clogged colon triggers mental symptoms in susceptible people)
- food allergies (can cause brain edema affecting personality, reflexes, and central nervous function — including 'masked' allergies that don't cause symptoms for hours after eating)
- heavy metals (lead and copper excess cause schizophrenia, autism, and learning disorders)
- glue foods clogging the colon (white flour, sugar, eggs, meat, peanuts, dairy products)
- exercise deprivation.
Change what you can
- Remove 'glue foods' that clog the colon and produce mucus and toxins: white flour, sugar, eggs, meat, peanuts, and dairy products.
- Provide full-spectrum nutritional support: adequate B vitamins, minerals, and fiberThe part of plant foods your body can't fully break down — it keeps digestion moving. More →.
- A whole-grain diet specifically increases brain tryptophan, producing calming and peaceful feelings.
- Test for heavy metals (lead, copper) — in some cases of schizophrenia, autism, and behavioral disorders, heavy metal toxicity is the primary driver.
- Herbs that calm the brain and nerves: hops, chamomile, skullcap, valerian, and wood betony.
- Regular outdoor exercise and fresh air.
🩺 When to see a doctor
- This is a potentially serious condition that requires professional medical diagnosis and care. See a doctor promptly — the suggestions here are gentle, supportive measures only and are not a substitute for medical treatment.
🌿 The seven pathways to health
Seven pathways for your mental illness — tap the circle to check one off (saved on your device), or ask Remy for help.
“Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health... In case of sickness 1cause should be ascertained, 2go to work intelligently to remove the disease. 3Unhealthful conditions should be changed, 4wrong habits corrected. 5Then nature is to be assisted in her effort 6to expel impurities and 7to re-establish right conditions in the system.”
🌿 Overview
Mental illness encompasses both neurotic syndromes (depression, anxiety, phobias, hysteria) and psychotic syndromes (schizophrenia, delusions). Two critical facts stand out: (1) environmental and lifestyle factors — especially nutrition and colon health — have a strong effect on mental health, and (2) having one or more symptoms does not mean a person is severely ill; many people experiencing mental illness symptoms are simply having a hard time dealing with life stressors. The natural medicine approach focuses on cleaning the colon, eliminating food allergens, rebuilding nutrition, and providing adequate exercise and fresh air.
'Mental illness' is a broad term covering many conditions that affect mood, thinking, and behavior — from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder and psychosis. These are real health conditions, shaped by a mix of biological, psychological, and social factors, and they are common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. Understanding them with compassion, for oneself or others, is itself part of healing.
Many people are helped by a combination of professional treatment (therapy, and medication where appropriate) and supportive lifestyle measures that genuinely benefit mental health: regular physical activity, good sleep, nourishing food, time outdoors and in nature, meaningful connection and community, managing stress, and limiting alcohol and other substances. These support, rather than replace, professional care for more significant conditions. Because mental-health conditions vary widely in severity, anyone struggling deserves support and assessment, and any thoughts of self-harm warrant reaching out for help right away.
Common signs
- Depression, anxiety, delusions, nervousness, loss of interest, abnormal work and sleep patterns, irritability, withdrawal from society, loss of enthusiasm, and panic attacks.
- Symptoms vary enormously by condition and severity.
⭐ Community-ranked natural supports
Vote ▲ on everything that helped you, and ▼ on anything you tried that didn't — the ranking updates live. Tap 💬 to share what worked, so others can find it faster.
Steady sleep, daily activity, and good nutrition support mental health — but they complement, never replace, professional assessment and treatment.970
A nourishing, whole-food diet supports brain and mood health (the gut and mood are linked).930
How the numbers work: this is a weighted voting system — every published book or article recommending a remedy counts as an endorsement vote, and your ▲/▼ counts too. Not medical advice. *Ties are broken by our editor score (sources, safety, simplicity, cost, lifestyle fit, eight-laws alignment).
🍽️ Eating to help
Food is one of the gentlest medicines — small, steady changes help most.
High-fiber whole-food plant-based diet. Eliminate white flour, refined sugar, eggs, meat, peanuts, and dairy products — these clog the colon and produce toxic metabolites. Adequate vitamins and minerals. Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds. Plenty of water. No alcohol, no tobacco, no caffeine.
⚖️ Good to know
- Do not dismiss mental illness as purely spiritual or willpower-related — it has documented physiological roots in nutrition and toxicity.
- Psychotic illness with danger to self or others requires professional care.
- Women are twice as likely as men to experience mental illness — this is partly related to hormonal factors and iron deficiency, both of which should be addressed.
💙 If it ever feels like too much
Heavy feelings are not a failure of faith — and you don't have to carry them alone. If you or someone you love is thinking about self-harm or suicide, please reach out right now:
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US): call or text 988 — free, confidential, 24/7.
- Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741741.
- Outside the US: findahelpline.com ↗ lists free helplines by country.
- If someone is in immediate danger, call 911 (or your local emergency number).
Natural supports can walk alongside professional care — never in place of it when life is at risk.
⚕️ What a doctor may offerConventional treatments for this condition — for your information.Show ▾
RemedyRank's heart is natural healing — and honest information. Here is what conventional medical care commonly involves for this condition, listed to inform, never to promote. Decisions about treatment belong with you and your own physician.
Mental illness is treated with therapy, medication, and support, tailored to the diagnosis.
Commonly offered
- Professional assessment and accurate diagnosis–
- Psychotherapy and/or medication–
- Support services and crisis planning–
- Treating co-existing conditions–
Worth knowing
- Thoughts of self-harm need urgent help — contact a crisis line or professional.
- Mental illnesses are real, common, and treatable.
- Don't stop psychiatric medication abruptly.
👍/👎 shares whether a treatment helped you — community experience, not medical advice. For full professional details, see the sources under “Learn more” below.
📚 Learn more
Sources for further reading. These open in a new tab.
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