Spring is nearly here!

With the weather warming up and plants slowly beginning to peek through the Earth, it sometimes takes a little extra push to get out of the winter blues funk. Thankfully, we can turn to a number of herbs to do a little herbal magic to help us find that happy place that sometimes seems slightly out of reach.

There’s something about the ability to take plants and transform them into something that can help you feel a little better. While there are endless possibilities when it comes to herbs and emotional support, sometimes it’s the most simple herbal combinations that help us find that moment of happiness and peace that so many of us crave.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or shut down or generally “off”, sometimes all it takes to break out of that negative feedback loop is a little herby goodness! The herbs I’ve highlighted below can help get you back to feeling like yourself so that you can face whatever life throws at you!

An Herb Can Do That?

I know what you’re thinking:

There’s no way that there’s an herb for this!

You’re right! Often, without addressing the foundational issues causing discomfort in our lives, we can’t truly heal. But with a combination of the herbs below, you can support your healing process, quiet your mind, and bring a little color and happiness back to your life.

The Uplifting Herbs

Blue Vervain: For when you need to let go
Catnip: For when you need to calm the anxiety rising from your core
Linden: For when you need a hug
St. John’s Wort: For when you need to reframe your thoughts
Tulsi (Holy Basil): For when you need calm clarity

Photo credit: Image by Gabriela Piwowarska from Pixabay

Blue Vervain

Do you sometimes feel like you’re holding on too tight and can’t let go?

Blue Vervain can help us find grace for ourselves. It’s for people who need help understanding that sometimes “good enough” really is good enough and perfection isn’t always the best goal. There is always good to be found, but sometimes you need a little support to find it.

How does Blue Vervain help us feel happier?

Reframing Thoughts: There’s always more than one way to get something done. Blue Vervain can help you quiet your resistance to changing the way you do something, making it easier for you to see other ways and options to get what you need done in the most productive way possible for you.
Acknowledgement of Progress: Perfection is the enemy of progress. Sometimes we can forget how much progress we’ve made if we haven’t yet reached our goal. Blue Vervain can help you see the progress that you’ve made so that you have renewed energy and focus without feeling like every little mistake is the end of the world.
Acceptance: We’re not always going to be perfect. But Blue Vervain can help us let go and understand that we are good enough!

Would you like to try Blue Vervain? Check out this recipe for Blue Vervain Tincture.

Catnip

Are you struggling with spiraling thoughts that you can’t seem to stop?

Catnip can help you find a bit of calm to stop those thoughts in their tracks, with a little support for the physiological signs of anxiety, as well! Catnip is for people who need help calming both the physical and mental symptoms of anxiety.

How does Catnip help us feel happier?

Calming the Butterflies: When you can’t get rid of the butterflies rising from your stomach, Catnip is a great herb to turn to!
Releasing the Rumination: When you can’t let go of negative thoughts and they just keep spinning in your head, Catnip can help you release those thoughts by reducing the anxiety you feel around them.
Reducing Nausea: Not only is Catnip good for releasing the butterflies, but it contains compounds that help calm nausea and heartburn!

Photo credit: Image by Manfred Richter from Pixabay

Linden

Caught in fight or flight? Stuck in a high alert mental state?

For those that need help escaping a constant feeling of being stuck in nervous system overload, Linden is a great choice! For both the nervous system and the cardiovascular system, Linden is great at calming overactivity and reducing both the mental and physical symptoms of anxiety. If you’re feeling tense and dried out, it may be worth giving Linden a try!

How does Linden help us feel happier?

Rest and Digest: Linden targets the nervous system in a way that helps us switch out of “Fight or Flight” into “Rest and Digest”.
Feeling Less Dried Out: Not only is Linden good for calming the nervous system, but it is also moistening! It can make a huge difference when you’re feeling dried out from those tense feelings.
Hug in a Mug: If any one herb could be considered a “Hug in a Mug”, Linden would be it! It provides a warming feeling that comes from the core, calming anxiety and providing comfort on those days you feel frazzled.

St. John’s Wort

Are you struggling with muddled or negative thoughts? Need help reframing your thoughts?

For those that are experiencing mild to moderate depression or anxiety, St. John’s Wort has been shown to be as effective as anti-depressants. Due to its actions on GABA in the brain, it has also been shown to help people be a little more positive.

How does St. John’s Wort help us feel happier?

Reframing Thoughts: St. John’s Wort can help you reframe thoughts in a more positive manner, leading to a happier view on life.
Calming the Brain: St. John’s Wort helps to calm the brain, simultaneously reducing anxiety and helping you feel a little better.
Mood Swing Management: St. John’s Wort supports mood management, helping even out the mood and increase positive feelings.

Note: St. John’s Wort is not safe for everyone. Please consult your doctor before trying any new herbs.

Tulsi (Holy Basil)

Are you having a hard time staying strong?

Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, helps promote emotional stability and resilience. If you’re struggling with the weight of the world, Tulsi may be worth a try!

How does Tulsi help us feel happier?

Energy: Tulsi gives us a little extra pep in our step when we’re feeling low by lifting some of the stress we’re feeling.
Protection from Physical Stress: Tulsi helps protect our bodies from physical stress through various pharmacological actions, helping balance out the systems in our body so we feel more balanced.
Build Resilience: When you’re overstimulated, Tulsi can help you feel stronger and can support your ability to let the overstimulation roll off of your back, both through cognitive support and through its physiological actions that also help protect body tissues from the chemical impacts of stress.

If you’d like to learn more about herbs, what they can do, and how you can use them in your health journey, I encourage you to check out more of my blogs and recipes. If you prefer to watch things, you should also check out the YouTube channel, which contains a mix of short-form and long-form videos to help teach you more about the amazing world of herbs.

Finally, I personally invite you to join this growing community of herbal enthusiasts. Try a recipe, attend a workshop, or explore my collection of herbal short videos and products. Follow me on social media to stay updated on my latest herbal recipes, upcoming events, and special promotions.

A Little Herby Happiness