Is seasonal depression real?
Seasonal depression is a real thing. That’s right, you may have noticed you feel a little down during the winter months compared to your happy-self during the summer. Why is that? Well for one, we get less sunshine and therefore, less Vitamin D in the winter. Days are shorter and colder. The change of sunlight influences our hormones that affect our mood and energy levels. So just know it is not just in your head. It is quite common to feel down during the winter.
What can you do to fight seasonal depression?
There are a few things that you can do to up your happy throughout the winter months. But as an herbalist, I like to talk about which herbs can help with seasonal depression. There are many herbs that we can turn to, but today, because of my recent lemon balm purchase, I want to talk about….. lemon balm!
Lemon balm is such a great herb for seasonal depression. It is gentle and safe for kids to elders. It is an herb that can make you feel better right away, just from smelling it! It’s true, try it for yourself.
Lemon balm for depression & anxiety.
Depression and anxiety comes in many shapes and sizes. Lemon balm is a great herb to start with to help relieve depression and anxiety because it is so gentle and uplifting. It is universally well-known across different traditional medicinal systems for its mood boosting qualities and reverred because of how effective and helpful it is for so many people.
Lemon balm is truly emotional medicine. The aromatics in lemon balm lift your mood and spirits. It is so incredible how scents can do this. You may know of this from putting essential oils in oil diffusers, but the whole plant can have similar effects!
Lemon balm is cooling, so if you are experiencing any type of hot emotions, like agitation and frustration, it can help cool cool you down and feel calmer and happier.
How to take lemon balm.
Tea
Tea is my favorite way to take lemon balm. It is a great herb to have in a pure tea, but it also pairs well with lots of other calming and uplifting herbs. You can make a great depression or anxiety blend with it. Blend it with whatever tastes best to you, or if you know about other herbs for stress and anxiety, you can choose herbs that fit your specific needs.
Tincture
Tincture is a great way to take lemon balm. Tinctures are alcohol extracts of an herb. They are very potent and their dosaging is much smaller than tea. It is a good way to take an herb when you are out of the house. You can always drink lemon balm tea and have a tincture in your pocket with you as well.
Elixir
People refer to elixirs as different things, but what I mean here is a lemon balm tincture mixed with honey. In a perfect world that honey was infused with lemon balm! Don’t underestimate the medicine of something sweet when it comes to emotional issues.
Smelling
How could I not include just smelling fresh lemon balm as a method of taking it. Did you watch the video? You could see how affected me just be breathing in the aromatic constituents!
How to take care of lemon balm.
First I want to say, to all my friends out there that have never had a plant, or every plant they have ever owned died on them, have to fear. Lemon balm is easy! I promise. Don’t let the fear of taking care of a plant deter you from trying, plus they are really cheap.
It is January right now and I am currently watching snow fall outside, but my lemon balm is sitting in a sunny window continuing to grow. And let me say, I am not gardening expert by any stretch of the imagination. I know all about herbal benefits and how to prepare them, but gardening is just a hobby of mine and I would still consider myself a beginner. If I can do it, you can do it.
It sits in my sunny window, I trim it when I want to make some tea and water it around every 5-7 days in the winter, and more when it is hotter. Wait until the soil is dry before watering it. It is very easy to overwater lemon balm. Do some quick google searches if you want some more guidance.
My advice is, if you are growing fresh herbs for the first time, don’t stress about buying them as seeds. Buy some lemon balm that is already in a pot and you can see. The beginning was already done for you!
Your experience
I want to hear about your experience and how it works for you! Please tell me below if you have ever heard of or tried lemon balm! What are your thoughts? Have you tried anything that has helped with seasonal depression?
