Herbs and essential oils can help lift the mood when you’re going through the January blues,
January is a long, dark, dreary month so doing what you can to lift the mood can help make the month go by easier.
January can be a particularly tough month mentally as people are feeling a let down after celebrating the holiday season and the weather often has an effect on mood. The long dark days can make it difficult to get through.
Another reason January can get us down is because we tend to take stock of our life at the beginning of the year and can often end up feeling dissatisfied.
But our herbal allies can help us feel better.
There are specific herbs that can make a difference to regulate mood in the body.
Herbal Adaptogens
One herb to consider is Rhodiola, which is an adaptogen and stress buster. Rhodiola can help improve symptoms of depression. An animal study on mice showed the herb had anti-depressant effects, suggesting it can increase cognitive powers and counteract mood disorders.
There are other herbal adaptogens to consider as well, such as ginseng.
Alleviate Stress
If stress is causing the blues, then there are two herbs to definitely consider.
One is lemon balm, which is known to calm the nervous system and is good for anxiety.
Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, has traditionally been taken to improve mood and cognitive function.
Lemon balm can be drank as a tea or it can be taken in supplement form.
St. John’s Wort
This herb is commonly taken to reduce symptoms of depression.
St John’s Wort works by suppressing the breakdown of serotonin which consequently improves mood.
Serotonin regulates mood in the brain and is often called nature’s feel good chemical.
St. John’s Wort also has other active ingredients that can help you deal with anxiety.
However, before taking St. John’s Wort, it’s important to know that it can have interactions with other medications, including anti-depressants.
If you are taking other medications, be sure to tell your doctor about St. John’s Wort and determine if there is an issue.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are powerful substances that can definitely have an effect on the mood.
Scent affects the olfactory nerves which can increase alertness, boost positivity and create feelings of calm, tranquillity and relaxation. They can be helpful in alleviating stress, easing insomnia, providing clarity and focus.
Sweet orange essential oil is a natural mood booster. It’s sweet, citrusy scent can help to uplift the mood and reduce stress.
Another essential oil that’s good for mood is lavender, as it has a calming and relaxing effect on the nervous system.
Clary sage is a great essential oil that can boost mood, especially if it is related to women’s hormonal issues.
Clary sage essential oil has anti-depressant effects as it lowers cortisol levels in the body. Inhaling clary sage can help lower blood pressure levels which can also lead to feeling relaxed.
The floral scent of Ylang-Ylang has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and it’s luxurious scent is a natural aphrodisiac. An oil that helps put one in the mood for lovemaking can certainly reduce depression.
So there you have it – some herbs and essential oils that can lift the mood and make January go by more smoothly.
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