The Best Herbs for Seasonal Depression
What's In This Article?
The winter season can be a challenge to endure for many. It can be difficult to stay motivated when it is cold and gloomy outside. Many people notice a decrease in mood during this time of year and struggle to enjoy their day to day lives. Below are some of the best herbs for seasonal depression. Even if you don’t necessarily have seasonal depression, these herbs can help with the general wintertime blues and feelings of “blah.”
It’s easy to see why winter can trigger depression or sadness. The sunshine is limited, and the landscapes are often bleak and devoid of color. Luckily, dried herbs can be stored for use year-round, and many of them are excellent for boosting mood.
In this article, we will discuss the best herbs for elevating mood and staying motivated during the wintertime. You’ll find great options in terms of the herbs for seasonal depression that may give you a boost. Also, each of these products is linked to an Amazon product page, so you can find high-quality versions of them easily.
Licorice Root
When it comes to herbs for seasonal depression, licorice root is an excellent herbal remedy for boosting mood. It has eight different mood-enhancing compounds and is excellent for providing the adrenal system with the nourishment that it needs.
Licorice Root is easy to prepare into a tasty beverage; you will just need to make a simple decoction of the root. Licorice root can also be combined with other herbs and spices to add additional benefits and flavors.
How to Make a Licorice Root Decoction
- Measure out a teaspoon of dried root
- Measure out 8 ounces of water
- Mix the root and the water together in a pan
- Bring the mixture to a boil
- Reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes
- Strain the liquid and consume
Damiana and Passionflower
A mixture of equal parts Damiana and Passionflower is a tried and tested mood-boosting formula, making these great herbs for seasonal depression.
Damiana produces a boost in mood and a sense of wellbeing that works synergistically with the calming effects produced by passion flower. This mixture is best prepared as a tea.
How to Make Damiana and Passionflower Tea
- Measure out one teaspoon of Passionflower
- Measure out one teaspoon of Damiana
- Measure out 8 ounces of water
- Bring the 8 ounces of water to a boil in a pot
- Add the Passionflower and Damiana to the water
- Let steep for 15 minutes with a tight-fitting lid
- Strain the mixture and drink
Bacopa
Bacopa is an excellent herb for seasonal depression and for increasing motivation and energy, which is something that a lot of people struggle with in the winter months.
In addition to increasing energy levels, Bacopa has been found to decrease the symptoms of both anxiety and depression in people who took it regularly. Bacopa is considered to be an adaptogen, which means that it is excellent for nourishing and repairing the adrenal system. Bacopa is best taken as a tincture, or as a tea.
How to Make Bacopa Tea
- Measure out a teaspoon of Bacopa leaf
- Measure out 8 ounces of water
- Bring the 8 ounces of water to a boil
- Remove the water from the heat
- Add the Bacopa to the water
- Let steep with a tight-fitting lid for 15 minutes
- Strain the mixture and consume
Mimosa Bark
Mimosa (Albizia Julibrissin) bark has potent mood-boosting properties which is why it’s included on this list of herbs for seasonal depression.
Most herbalists reserve the use of Mimosa for extreme bouts of sadness and chronic bad moods that don’t seem to respond to other treatments. Mimosa is centering and uplifting and can significantly reduce irritability and anger. Mimosa is known as “the tree of happiness” and with good reason. If you are having a particularly difficult day this winter, a dropper full of the tincture made from the bark of this plant might be just what you need to boost your spirits.
If you are interested in using Mimosa root bark, your best bet is to purchase a premade tincture. This remedy is not widely known, and it can be difficult to locate the raw material to make a tincture on your own. However, it has been gaining popularity in recent years, and many herbalists sell the tincture online for people to purchase. Just make sure that you are doing adequate research and buying from somebody reputable.
Make Sure to Consult With a Professional
If you are experiencing serious symptoms that could point to depression, or another mental health condition it is important to consult with a medical professional before using any sort of herbal remedy.
Herbs for seasonal depression are generally safe, but in certain circumstances, they can cause adverse reactions and be dangerous – especially when dealing with matters of mental illness.
If you are on any medications for psychiatric conditions, you need to consult with the professional that prescribed the medication to you before using any herbal remedies. Many of the herbs that enhance mood and have an effect on mental state can have serious interactions with many different medications.
