Depression and sad time herbs

Grant it my doc gave me happy pills because of my surgery's but it got me thinking about the real need for alternative happy meds.

Going though Storm Sandi and the Newtown deaths and my surgery's and Christmas the need for things that can relax and de-stress you may be something that you should know about. We have booze and weed (as I have not hid I am pro marijuana for medication). But what I am talking about here is herbs and other plants.

I do not care who you are if times get tough you will get sad, depressed and anxious. Keep active and busy is always a good help. Talking to others is also a great way to lift some of the weight. But sometimes more is needed.

When I looked for these herbs St. John's Wart was the only one I had ever heard of. But I went to my local herbal remedy store to learn and get some more available options to have on hand.

We have Chamomile this is something you can plant in your flower garden now and it helps to relax you. Best taken as a tea.

 

California Poppy's- Another flower you can plant in your garden. It can be used in a tea and a bit of a stronger relaxer. Use the leaves and other aerial parts. They are a sedative, anti-spasmodic, and mild pain reliever. This is also a gentle herb used for colic and agitation in children. Do not use this herb or any other sedative herbs in pregnancy.

 Hops - Not for beer making but for tea and a sleep aid. This is easily to grown. But it is very bitter.

 

Scullcap - this is something I am trying to find. It spreads and is pretty in the garden. But great in teas and it is a smoke-able herb. Relaxes totally!

Rosemary-Sage Tea
Boil two cups of water with one teaspoon each of rosemary and sage. Steep for five minutes, strain, and drink daily.


Clove Tea
3 parts Crush cloves, 1 part sage, 1 part camomile or peppermint tea and a dash of ginseng powder helps to lift mild depression.

Lemon Blam 
 3 parts Lemon Balm,  1 part Lavender, 1 part rose petals and 1 part spearmint and a bit of honey and vanilla.
Mix the above herbs and flowers in a bowl. Store in a glass jar. To prepare the tea, use 1 to 2 teaspoons of herb per cup. Pour hot water over herbs and allow it to steep for 5 to 10 minutes.  with  Drink up to three cups per day.






Also remember what you eat helps with those feelings

-Eating fish  has a good influence on the serotonin production.

-Eating garlic has a mood elevating effect.  

-The amino acid tryptophan has been found to relieve depression and natural sources include turkey, chicken, fish, peas, nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and peanut butter.  If you can eat them with carbohydrates, such as potatoes, pasta and rice,  this can help the brain's uptake of tryptophan.

Song for this post has to be  Losing Keys by Jack Johnson great song when you just feel like simplifying your life and getting back to the basics.