Herbs Can Help Banish the Blahs

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Herbs Can Help Banish the Blahs JoAnn Guest Mar 03, 2005 19:15 PST

 

by Meg McGowan

 

Conscious Choice, March 2002

http://www.consciouschoice.com/herbs/herbs1503.html

 

As March begins, our hearts are ready for spring, though the calendar

still claims much of this month for winter, and the weather can swing

either way. The dual character of early March is expressed in the symbol

of Pisces, two fish tied together, swimming in opposite directions -- a

time of paradox. In this final third of winter we still gaze inward, but

prepare to move outward.

 

It seems that gray days at this time of year leave us longing for more

light. We are ready for the return of the sun. After too many gray days

we may find our spirits flagging and our energy waning; we may begin to

feel a Piscean pull toward unfathomable depths and unchanneled waters.

Herbs can help us keep our balance.

 

Essential oils are one way to gently lift both our moods and energy

levels. Clary sage (Salvia sclarea) is perfectly suited to this time of

year. It uplifts and regenerates, counteracting depression and lethargy.

It also acts to restore balance. In The Fragrant Mind (New World, 1996),

Valerie Ann Worwood's characterization of clary sage is very Piscean,

which may be why its properties are just what we need as we emerge from

hibernation.

 

Try combining clary sage with rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) and a

dash of black pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil. Rosemary and black

pepper are motivating, stimulating, and clarifying. You can sniff or

diffuse your blend if you leave it undiluted; diluted in a carrier oil

it makes an excellent bath or body oil.

 

As lemons, oranges, and grapefruits resemble the sun, so too their

citrus scents bring the effect of sunshine to our spirits. Mandarin

orange essential oil (Citrus reticulata) is considered balancing and

warming. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) is refreshing. Both types of

orange, as well as tangerine (Citrus reticulata) are uplifting and

cheering. Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) is refreshing, balancing, and

cheering. Lemon (Citrus limon) is an adaptogen that is uplifting,

refreshing, and cheering. Even lime (Citrus aurantifolila) is

equalizing, refreshing, and cheering. Notice a pattern?

 

Melissa or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is not an actual member of

the citrus family but could perhaps be an honorary member. Effective for

treating lethargy and depression, melissa is a cheering and supportive

essential oil that appears to share the adaptogenic qualities of lemon.

 

Any of the citrus oils blend well with clary sage. Cypress (Cupressus

sempervirens), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), lavender (Lavandula

officinalis syn. L. angustifolia), and helichrysum (Helichrysum

angustifolium) essential oils also combine well with clary sage and the

citrus oils, and all will provide sustaining benefits for your

end-of-winter blend.

 

To ease mild depression, take lemon balm as a tincture or infusion. You

can also use it undiluted, but in that form it is more relaxing than

stimulating. For more of a boost, try peppermint (Mentha piperita).

According to Anne McIntyre in Flower Power (Gaia, 1996), peppermint

tea's stimulant action makes a good general tonic to recharge vital

energy and dispel lethargy.

 

Schisandra berries (Schisandra chinensis) have adaptogenic properties

that help the nervous system adapt to changes. A mild stimulant,

schisandra eases the body and spirit into balance with the outside

world. Taken as a tea, often in a blend with other herbs, the dried

berries can be used as a tonic to mitigate late-winter depression and

irritability.

 

Damiana (Turnera diffusa syn. T. diffusa var. aphrodisiaca) is also a

mild stimulant, which energizes both the mind and body. It acts as a

tonic to the central nervous system and has antidepressant properties.

 

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and cayenne (Capsicum frutescens) mentioned

last month for their ability to raise the body's temperature and

stimulate the immune system to fight infection, can be taken throughout

the winter in tonic doses, as they also act to elevate the spirits and

stimulate circulation and energy.

 

Both the essential oil and the actual ginger root (which,

interestingly, has a slightly lemony taste) can ease depression,

mitigate fatigue, and increase energy and metabolic function. Cayenne

warms and stimulates like ginger but is a bit more intense.

 

Unlike the three previous herbs that can be taken as infusions, cayenne

is best consumed as a tincture or tablet. Schisandra, damiana, ginger,

and cayenne are also reputed to be aphrodisiacs, thus their value as

herbal pick-me-ups may be increased should they revive more than

flagging spirits.

 

Homeopathic remedies Ingnatia (Ignatia amara), Natrum mur. (Natrum

muriaticum) or Pulsatilla (Pulsatilla nigerians) may be useful for

treating depressive symptoms. Calc. carb. (Calcarea carbonica), Arsen.

alb. (Arsenicum album), Nux vomica (Strychnos nux vomica), or Kali phos.

(Kali phosphoricum) may be appropriate in alleviating fatigue. As much

as possible, you should try to match homeopathic remedies to your

specific indications.

 

When you are seeking to shift emotional states, don't forget about

flower essences. Some of the herbs already mentioned can be similarly

applicable when used as flower essences. Rosemary, lavender, and lemon

balm essences may be helpful in lifting depression.

 

Lavender or peppermint might lighten the weight of lethargy. The flower

essence of geranium (Geranium maculatum) is actually derived from an

entirely different plant than the geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) from

which the essential oil is distilled, but it too can help dispel

depression.

 

In fact, like clary sage essential oil, the flower essence of geranium

seems specifically tailored to these last weeks of winter. As Anne

McIntyre writes, geranium is for those who feel down and depressed,

lacking color in their life. Geranium helps to lift the spirits and to

bring joy and happiness to one's daily activities. It is also helpful

for those who need strength and motivation to bring plans and projects

into action.

 

Of course there is nothing like a dose of real sunshine and the sight of

lush green growth at this time of year to make one giddy beyond reason

and joyous just to have survived another winter. For that, I recommend

that you supplement any herbal treatment with a trip to the Garfield

Park Conservatory this year. Through May 19, the conservatory's gardens

are enhanced by Dale Chihuly's exhibition of organic glass sculpture --

" Chihuly in the Park: A Garden of Glass. " Color, natural light, water,

form, and texture are united in an atmosphere that delights the eyes

while nourishing the senses and spirit.