Herbs to Bring in the Light: Addressing Depression & Seasonal Affect Disorder with Herbs
Earlier this week marked the passing of the holiday of Imbolc/Imbolg/Candelora/Candelmas, a time when we celebrate the mid-point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, meaning we’re officially half-way to spring! While it will still be a while before the Daffodils and Snow Drops start blooming for us up here in the northeast, the slow returning of the light is palpable.
But our February back-drop of what is often the deepest snow of winter, along with limited (but returning!) light, can often be the hardest month emotionally for many, which prompted me to share this offering from our Patreon community. Over on Patreon we have a monthly membership program with monthly classes and a huge class library on different herbal topics and this post is the handout that accompanies our Herbs to Bring in the Light class.
Enjoy!
Herbs to Bring in the Light
In herbalism a depressed state/Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD)/the winter blues is considered a cold, stagnant condition in terms of the tissue states and herbal energetics and corresponds with the tissue states of depression and stagnation. In thinking about how to address this condition therapeutically it’s best to think of it as a depression of physiological function that also impacts the mental state. One of the definitions of depression as it applies to pathology is “a low state of vital powers or functional activity.” In other words, a depression of function. And this really is the case! Everything is slowing down and under-functioning, including the nervous system.
Mentally this can manifest as a depressive mood, sadness, grumpiness, low motivation, and foggy thinking, which are symptoms many of us know and associate with depression. However, there are absolutely physical symptoms of depression which occur because there is a depression of the body’s physiological functions (using the definition of depression above). This can look like slow or poor digestion, constipation, slow metabolism and/or weight gain, low energy, poor circulation, dry skin, feeling excessively cold/fear of cold, fluid retention, hormonal imbalances, and congested lymph. When we approach depression from this angle there are a myriad of herbs that can help with this state, namely stimulants, carminatives, aromatics, adaptogens, lymphatics, and bitters.
It’s also important to point out that cold and stagnation are also the primary energetics of the winter, especially if you live in northern latitudes, and this is one of the reasons we’re so much more susceptible to depression and low mood in the winter months. Things slow down- water freezes, the plants go dormant and pause their growth, the days are shorter, many animals rest, and so on. Whenever we’re looking at conditions that are sometimes seasonal in nature we always want to take what’s happening in the natural world into account because it can give context for our health pictures and conditions.
In thinking about which herbs and category to choose from, my suggestion is to assess the whole person and all their physical symptoms, not just their mental state. Then you can choose from the herbal categories below based on their needs. I chose herbs in each category that I feel like has an affinity for the emotional heart and depression (and please know that those lists aren’t at all exhaustive). I like to make the bulk of the formula anti-depressant herbs that have an affinity for their symptoms (digestion, hormonal imbalance, metabolism, etc) and pull from the other herbal actions as supporting herbs. See some of the sample formulas below!
Teas, tinctures, syrups, and elixirs are my favorite preparations for depression, with my favorites probably being tea and elixirs. And, lastly, when formulating and working with herbal anti-depressants, it’s important to realize that these herbs have other herbal actions which are really the foundation for their anti-depressant effect. Each herb is different, but if you look at the lists below you’ll see that the herbal anti-depressants (also sometimes called “exhilarants”) show up in more than just that category- as well as many other herbs too. Use these over-lapping actions to fine-tune your formula and get more bang for your buck with each herb!
Herbs
Anti-depressants/Exhilarants –
Rose (Rosa spp), St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Hawthorn lf & fl (Crateagus monogyna, Crataegus spp), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, G.tsugae) , Saffron (Crocus sativus), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), Lavender (Lavandula officinalis), Mint (Mentha spp), Fir (Abies spp)
Carminatives & Aromatics-
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens), Mint (Mentha spp), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Lavender (Lavandula officinalis), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Rose (Rosa spp), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Warming Stimulants-
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Garlic (Allium sativum), Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens), Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), Ginger (Zingiber officinalis), Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), Onion (Allium cepa), Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Oregano (Oreganum vulgare), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Adaptogens-
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, G. tsugae), Tulsi (Ocimun tenuiflorum), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Schisandra Berry (Schisandra chinensis), Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)
Bitters/Liver herbs-
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, G. tsugae), St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum), Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Rose (Rosa spp), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Lymphatics-
Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Cleavers (Galium aparine), Burdock (Acrticum lappa), Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Nervines-
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Rose (Rosa spp), St Johns Wort (Hypericum officinalis), Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), Basil (Ocimum sanctum), Hawthorn lf & fl (Crateagus monogyna¸Crateagus spp), Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata), Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum, G. tsuage), Lavender (Lavandula officinalis), Mint (Mentha spp), Motherwort (Leonaris cardiaca), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Calendula flower essence
Flower Essences
St Johnswort Fl Essence
Calendula Fl Essence
Rose Fl Essence
Summer Solstice essence
Complimentary Practices
Remember that herbs don’t operate in a vacuum and complimentary practices can be extremely beneficial!
Sun-gazing (within an hour of sunrise or sunset) or facing the sun with your eyes closed
Vitamin D3
Movement & Time spent outdoors
Rest! Often depression comes from exhaustion
Have your thyroid checked-out and make sure you’re not hypothyroid, as this can often manifest with depression
Acupuncture
Sauna’s
Preserved foods from the summer like sun-dried tomatoes, canned tomatoes, dried fruit and mushrooms, jams
Community
Therapy (talk therapy, somatic work, and so on)
Summer elixirs and medicine
Sample Formulas
Depression with Trauma & Grief
Rose Petal 2 parts
Lemon Balm 2 parts
Hawthorn Lf & Fl 2 parts
Reishi 1 part
Cinnamon ¼ part
Cardamom 1/8th part
Depression with Digestive Issues (cramps, pain, bloating)
Tulsi 1 part
Skullcap 1 part
Lavender 1 part
Peppermint 1 part
Rose Petals ½ part
Coriander ½ part
Depression with Slow Digestion & Liver Stagnation
St Johnswort 1 part
Rosemary 1 part
Calendula ½ part
Motherwort ½ part
Coriander ¼ part
Rose Petals ¼ part
Depression with PMS & Menstrual Issues
Schisandra 2 parts
Motherwort 1 part
Calendula ½ part
Chamomile ½ part
Rose petals ¼ part
Cinnamon ¼ part
Depression with Exhaustion
Ashwagandha 2 parts
Tulsi 1 part
Schisandra 1 part
Lavender ½ part
Rose Petals ¼ part
Depression with Anxiety
Lemon Balm 2 parts
Ashwagandha 2 parts
Skullcap 1 part
Blue Vervain 1 part
Peppermint ¼ part
Lavender ¼ part
Depression with Foggy Thinking, Poor Focus, Low Motivation
Lemon Balm 1 part
Tulsi 1 part
Rosemary 1 part
Gotu Kola 1 part
Peppermint ¼ part
Winter Blues Tea
Lemon Balm 1 part
St Johnswort 1 part
Tulsi or Basil 1 part
Rose Petals 1/4 parts
Cardamom Pods 1/4 parts
Lavender fields forever
References & Further Reading
Canon of Medicine
By Ibn Sina (also known as Avicenna)
Herbs for the Spiritual Heart
By Paul Bergner
