Could it be SAD?

If you are feeling down in the dumps and lacking in energy a herbal boost could help to lift your spirits

It’s February, the days are short, it’s dark by teatime and you feel lousy. The pounds are starting to pile on, your energy levels are at zero and you are finding it hard to get going in the morning. Then when you do your spirits are low and you find yourself reaching for the chocolate and biscuits to give you a quick boost. What can be the matter? You could be suffering from seasonal affective disorder or SAD, as it is more commonly known.

What is SAD?

Sad is a debilitating form of winter depression that affects around half a million people in the UK. Another 20 per cent are thought to be affected by, a mild form of SAD known as subsyndromal or S-SAD. Symptoms include lack of energy, fatigue, overeating and wanting to sleep more.

What causes it?

Lack of light due to fewer daylight hours is thought to be the main trigger in people with SAD. It seems to upset the delicate balance of the two brain chemicals melatonin and serotonin but it is not known exactly how or why. It is also not fully understood why some people respond more to lack of sunlight than others nor why it is more common in women than men.

What can I do about it?

In severe cases antidepressants are the only answer. But if your symptoms are less severe or you are just feeling a little under the weather there are several herbs that may help to boost your mood.

St John’s wort

Sometimes known as the sunshine herb, St John’s wort can help to lift the seasonal blues. It is thought that it works by helping to boost levels of serotonin in the brain. It is often used un conjunction with light therapy and in one study comparing St John’s wort with light therapy the researchers concluded it was just as effective. This herb, they wrote, ‘ brings light into dark places’. You need to take it for at least six weeks to get the full benefits and you should always consult your doctor before taking it in case of adverse reactions with other prescribed medicines.

Rhodiola

If you are feeling stressed, tired and low in energy, rhodiola may be the herb for you. Like St John’s wort it helps to increase levels of serotonin in the brain, which in turn helps to improve mood and increase feelings of contentment.

Siberian ginseng

This herb belongs to a group of herbs known as adaptogens, which are thought to help strengthen the adrenals and balance the system generally. Siberian ginseng is especially good for boosting vitality and energy.

Try these…

• Oil up Essential oils used in a burner or dropped into your bath can help. Go for the 'sunshine' oils which include grapefruit, orange and bergamot. Rosemary, basil and peppermint also have stimulating and invigorating properties.
• Get outside Exposing yourself to more daylight is popular remedy for SAD. So try to get outside every day, even it’s just for 20 minutes and the weather is overcast.
• Try therapy Light therapy is another avenue worth exploring but it advisable to consult your GP before starting a course. Light boxes have a high success rate with about 85 per cent of people reporting improved mood and levels of energy after using them.
• Break away If you can afford it, book a holiday somewhere warm and sunny for a couple of weeks. You'll find winter much easier to deal with when you get back.
• Assess you diet Go for complex carbohydrate foods rather than high carbohydrate- rich items such as biscuits, cakes and bread, which can make actually make SAD feelings worse. Good choices include brown bread, porridge oats, brown rice, barley and sweet potatoes.

St John’s wort can be found in Karma - A traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of slightly lod mood and mild anxiety based on traditional use only.