Winter Blah boost With Herbs

Winter Mood Booster Herbs

There has been virtually no snow this winter.  Many days it feels like spring outside, but unlike spring there is not lengthening of the days yet, no greening of the plants and if there is you worry that the next temperature turn will kill them and lessen real spring when it does come months from now.

With my husband going into the hospital at the first of the year and myself gathering a nice seasonal cold by the second week of the month, this year has brought on a serious case of the winter blahs.  I have no creativity at all.  Writing the blogs takes so much energy that I am lucky to write one a day which hardly gets me ahead for gardening season!  My fiction writing is in an untouched pile on the desk and even the thought that I might be getting something back from my editor is not exciting to me.  My beadwork has been spread out on the table for weeks and I have not even bothered to fix my broken earrings.  And we will not even talk about the housework that I have not accomplished this month…

I realized I needed some winter recovery in a hurry.  I turned to a few natural mood boosters. Try adding little things to your life that bring you joy till you reach a tipping point and have to give in to being in better spirits -- from a hot date with your bathtub every night for a week to fresh-cut flowers by your bed.  Sometimes it just takes a little creativity to find your way out of the doldrums of winter.  Someone once told me a cold shower in the morning is good for removing the blah’s too, but I have not yet given that the test.

Here are a few herbs shown to help ease you out of that rut...

Remember always check with your physician before beginning a new regimen (especially if you're on medication).

Lemon balm – Loved by gardeners and herbalists for its fresh minty-lemon aroma, Lemon Balm is known for its relaxing and calming effects and great flavor.  Lemon balm is wonderful in combination with milky oats and chamomile as a relaxing after-dinner tea.

St. John’s Wort might be one of the most well-known herbal remedies for depression.  It has been the focus of many scientific studies, but the evidence of its effectiveness has been inconsistent.  The general consensus seems to be that it can be healthful for mild forms of depression but lacks the ability to treat more severe depression all by itself.  This makes sense, since herbs, though potent, are not drugs and any herbal protocol for serious issues should have a broad and multi-tiered approach.  That said, individuals have had positive results taking St. John’s Wort, and it has a long history of use, especially in Europe.  Taking St. John’s Wort in the form of a tincture is easy and doable.  If you do not make your own tinctures, check out a supplier like Mountain Rose Herbs for a bottle of tincture.  Follow the instructions on the bottle or ask your healthcare provider for their recommended serving size specifically for you.  I am not one from the capsules, but I do make it into tea.  I have never grown more than I can use personally, so I do not have a tea blend with St. John’s Wort.

Lavender is one of the best herbs for relaxing tension, calming anxiety, and easing mild depression.  Turning to lavender essential oil is fast, easy, and uplifting when you’re feeling down.  Dilute the oil in a bath, use an essential oil diffuser, or apply a drop or two to your clothing or pillow case.

One of my first tea blends (a combination of lavender and lemon balm) was created during the winter doldrums when I was trying to make it through an especially dark winter.  After being outside gardening all summer the lack of activity and daylight took its toll.  The resulting blend is Lemon lavender Splash.  It even sounds uplifting, doesn’t it?

My Afternoon Lift  Tea was created the following year with the same idea in mind.  It contains cinnamon, chamomile and lemon balm and lemon peel.  It is a good treatment for winter ailments as well as mood lifting.

Everyone always asks me why I seem happiest in winter when it snows a lot.  That is because I love snow.  After a storm when the air is brisk and the sun is out I love to go for a walk and those in the know will tell you, Vitamin D which we get from sunlight exposure is especially good for improving your mood.  When there is no snow, I do not get outside much.  So don’t forget to get some time in the sunshine when you have the opportunity.  It’s for sure the best way to bring a little extra light into your winter day!

Anti Inflammatory Herbs – Herbal Remedies for Inflammation and Pain

As I start moving around and washing my containers for spring planting I am immediately reminded of my age and all of its aches and pains.  With a family history of arthritis and a recent injury to my hand I am acutely aware of the problems caused by inflammation.

Inflammation is a condition when a body reacts to any infection, injury or irritation, environmental changes or malignancy. Due to inflammation swelling, pain, redness or change in color of the skin is felt. But sometimes some internal inflammation can result giving rise to fever and other discomforts.

The inflammatory response involves the activation of white blood cells that start releasing some chemicals such as cytokines and prostaglandins. Inflammation is mostly treated by administering varied doses of corticosteroids that are effective in reducing and suppressing inflammation.  Steroids are not a long term solution however as the side effects can cause other issues.  There for I researched treatments for anti inflammation:

There are many herbal therapies that have been tried through ages and have proven record in healing inflammation by treating the cause. Latest scientific researches have given the final approval to opt for these herbal therapies rather than the OTC drugs.

But remember this information is for reference and education only.  It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a physician.  I do not advocate self-diagnosis or self-medication.  Be aware that any plant substance, whether used as food or medicine, externally or internally, may cause allergic reactions in some people.  Everyone responds differently to herbs. Use them carefully and responsibly.

1. Turmeric is one of the common anti inflammatory herb that is widely used in Asian recipes in good amounts. It helps in reducing swelling, pain in arthritis, tendonitis, sprains and other autoimmune disorders. So addition of extra turmeric in curries is beneficial in the long run! But this treatment is time consuming and it may test one’s patience.

2. Ginger is another herb which is popular for its anti inflammatory properties and is used liberally in most Asian dishes. Taking ginger tea regularly in the morning relieves a lot of inflammation.

3. White willow bark is another inflammatory herb that helps in reducing pain, this is actually the original plant studied for the creation of aspirin.  It has been studied recently and is seen as good for many pain applications, but is not found to be effective against arthritis in any form.  However it does have some toxicity issues so ask for professional advice if you desire to try it.

4. Devil’s claw is said to work well on arthritis both in reducing inflammation and pain. Known also as Harpagophytum procumbens, Grapple Plant and Wood Spider it is a plant native to southern Africa.
The unique name comes from the small hooks on the plant's fruit. The active ingredients in devil's claw are believed to be iridoid glycosides called harpagosides, which are found in the secondary root.  It is not an herb I am personally familiar with, so that is all I can say.

5. Licorice root is another popular anti inflammatory herb, but its prolonged use may raise the blood pressure and cause potassium loss. So person suffering from hypertension must be cautious with its use.

6. Arnica, also known as Arnica Montana, is another herb that is widely used in treating pains and bruises. It can be taken in regulated doses or sometimes a tincture can be applied to the affected areas to reduce inflammation. Arnica cannot be extracted at home nor can the plant grown at home be used for treatment.  It is actually toxic in plant form and should be handled carefully and products acquired only from reputable sources.

7. St John’s Wort though used to treat depression has also some anti- inflammatory properties. This is an easy plant to grow and the flowers, which bloom in June, are the best place to extract the helpful compounds from.  Making a tincture that is applied topically is good as is taking it internally.

8. Flax seed in a poultice is also very effective in treating bronchitis and reduces swellings in gouts and rheumatoid arthritis.  The plant is another you can grow at home.  But remember potency will vary with home-grown herbs as you have no standards to measure your finished product, so effectiveness will vary.

These herbs are very commonly used and are somewhat easily available. In sudden injuries these can be applied immediately for some relief before consulting any doctor. They are cheap and if applied properly with supervision, one can avoid spending money on painkillers and other drugs.

Crafting Herbal Baths

Herbal baths are deeply relaxing.  They help take the edge off the day, calm and quiet the mind, encourage deep sleep and sometimes are just the comfort one needs in a rough and busy world.  Now that the hectic holiday season is past, we have time to pamper ourselves a bit. Time to read those books we haven't had time for, try some new recipes, and maybe even enjoy some luxurious herbal baths. Depending on the herbs you use and the temperature of the water, you can create a bath that is relaxing, stimulating, uplifting, soothing, decongesting, or otherwise curative. 

Remember that the largest organ of the body is your skin and using it as a way to assimilate toxins and assimilate treatments is the easiest and among the most effective. Unfortunately people tend to shy away from taking baths anymore, opting for showers in an age of efficiency.  People have replaced the slow, peaceful nature of bathing with a quick shower.

Now truly a bath is only soothing if you fit in the bathtub, but now the movement is swinging back to large deep soaking tubs, so people are slowly realizing that they may have lost something in the efficiency of a quick shower.

The temperature of the water will affect the healing quality of the bath.  Cool to tepid is excellent for lowering fever or normalizing the system.  A warm bath is relaxing and soothing to the nervous system.  Cold water is stimulating and contracting and will firm and strengthen the inter system if you are brave enough to endure it.

To make Herbal Baths

To craft an herbal bath, use 3 to 4 ounces of herbs per tub.  Use the herbs to make an extra strong herbal tea; strain and add the tea to the bathwater.  Or you can bundle the mixed herbs in a swatch of cotton fabric and tie it directly onto the nozzle of the tub.  Run hot water through the herbal bundle until the tub is half-filled, then toss the bundle in the tub and adjust the temperature with cold water.  Soak in the bath for 20 to 30 minutes to enjoy the full benefits of the herbs.

Now if you cannot take a soak in the full tub, a hand or foot soak may be the way to go.  Remember all the nerves of the body pass through the feet and hands.  Simply choose an appropriately-sized container and adjust the proportion of herbs to water accordingly.

Herbs with healing properties for the bath:

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)- a building immune system herb especially through the rebuilding of bone marrow.  It has been used for preventing and treating long-term infections including colds and flu.  Because it helps regulate metabolism and circulation it is good with dietary sugars and may be used by some to treat diabetes.

Black cohosh - has many estrogen-like qualities and is used often by menopausal women.  It is especially good at relieving the stress and nervous tension that often accompanies the menstrual cycle.  Black Cohosh should not be used during pregnancy.

Burdock -  is used often in tea and tinctures.  In the bath it is great for itchy, irritated skin.

Calendula – great for your hair as well as your body, this herb in the bath is great for treating burns, sores, bruises and skin ulcers.  And as a hair rinse it is best for brown and blond hair.

Chamomile – beyond its well-known soothing abilities as a tea chamomile in the bath is very soothing and works as a powerful anti-inflammatory.  It is also effective with sore and achy muscles.  It is considered gentle enough to use in a baby’s bath.

Dandelion – this herb is bitter and not always the best tasting, however it has restorative and rejuvenating properties that you can use in the bath and avoid the bitter taste. 

Mullein – known for its ability to speed healing and ease pain from bruising this can be useful in a bath blend.

Lavender – can be taken internally and externally for relaxation, but its best use is an antibiotic and anti spasmodic.  So toss some in the bath and enjoy the aroma and the benefits to skin.

Lemon Balm - helps to dispel nervous anxiety and gladden the heart.

Peppermint – will induce perspiration and eliminate body toxins.  It can also reduce head congestion.

Rose petals  - are soothing both for the skin and for the nervous system.

St. John’s Wort – an herb that gets a great deal of press for treating depression and giving healing, but it is also a great herb of back pain because of its work within nerve tissue.

Thyme  - is good for infections and inflammations.  The active ingredient in thyme is an exceptional antiseptic.  Added to the bath it is a wonderful treatment for ailments and germ fighting.  Great in foot baths as well.

The Backyard Patch has a large number of Bath Bags and Sachets to try if you want to experiment with the soothing properties of a bath.  Check out our listings at Ebay.  And this winter we developed a bath sampler with three heat-sealed tea bags containing three different bath blends.  You can find this in our SAMPLER listings.