Herbal Mood Boost

With mounting stress levels over the past decade, an increasing number of people are turning to natural remedies to treat faltering moods, depression and other symptoms associated with it such as insomnia, loss of appetite etc. Understanding depression and the fluctuating moods in people can be attributed to their neurological chemistry. An imbalance of chemicals and neurotransmitters in the brain is considered to be the root cause for a number of mood disorders such as mild depression, anxiety, mood swings, bipolar mood syndrome etc. There are a variety of options available for boosting your mood with herbs. A few of the common herbs that are used as an herbal mood boost are discussed as follows.

St. John’s Wort

A weed with yellow flowers, St. John’s Wort is a perennial plant that has been extensively researched by scientists and is considered to be an effective alternate to prescribed drugs. It is known to have a similar impact on the brain and central nervous system, as that of prescribed anti-depressants, sans the negative effects. Supplementing this herb in the diet helps in improving the level of serotonin in the brain – the neurotransmitter responsible for determining moods in a person- thereby elevating moods and symptoms of depression, anxiety, confusion etc.

Passionflower

Passionflower is known to have a tonic like effect on brain and helps induce calmness. It is known for its properties of gentle sedation and helps in soothing agitated nerves in the brain thus improving moods.

Rhodiola Rosea

This herb is actually the roots of a plant grown in winter regions. Consumption of this herb helps in improved concentration and energy in the body, thereby uplifting depressed moods.

There are a plethora of other options for an herbal boost for your mood ranging from vanilla, rosemary, cinnamon extracts, Neel leaves, cloves etc. The choice of an herbal mood boost may be governed by many factors such as aroma, taste, availability etc.

Advantages of Boosting Your Mood with Herbs

Boosting your mood with herbs is not only completely safe and natural, but also a very effective and efficient treatment for mood disorders compared to prescription drugs or over-the –counter chemical supplements in the long run. Secondly, an herbal boost for you mood also saves you the risk of addiction to anti-depressants. It is common for people to become completely dependent on an anti-depressant for treating depressed moods, in the absence of which the patient is experiences disorientation. Relying on prescription drugs to enhance moods may also result in ineffectiveness of the chemical after a particular period as the body builds immunity against it.

The Different Routes To An Herbal Mood Boost

There are many ways of getting an herbal boost for your mood. Herbal extracts are available in the form of tinctures, liquid, powder, pills, oils and even as herbal teas. The extracts in their oil form can be used in aroma-therapy by infusing the extracts in bath water or have even been proved beneficial when used via massage therapy. Dried forms of herbs can easily be used as herbal teas and ingested safely. For individuals with detestation towards the taste of the herbs, or lack of time, some herbs may also be available in the form of pills. An herbal boost for your mood is definitely worth trying before acceding to strong dosages of prescription mood elevators.