Smile Please!

Feeling down in the dumps? Don’t despair - here are some herbal remedies that might help to lift your spirits

It is quite normal to feel depressed from time to time. There is usually a good reason for a fit of the blues and it’s often just a passing phase. Symptoms to watch out for include behavioural changes, especially lack of appetite, insomnia, flare-ups with colleagues, drinking or smoking more. Emotional signs such as anxiety, bursting into tears, lack of confidence, panic or apathy are also common if you are depressed as are physical symptoms such as weight loss, tiredness, backache, raised blood pressure, or tension.

Normally, these symptoms pass within a couple of weeks. But if you continue to feel wretched don’t hold back – tell your GP. Meanwhile, here are some natural herbal remedies that may help to lift your spirits:

ST JOHN’S WORT

A course of St John's wort, sometimes known as the sunshine herb, can help to lift the blues. It is thought to work by helping to boost levels of serotonin in the brain.

The largest ever study on the plant, carried out by Dr Klaus Linde, of the Centre for Complementary Medicine, Munich, reports that St John’s wort is as effective for mild-to-moderate depression as conventional drugs such as Prozac.

In a review of 29 studies of the plant, involving nearly 5,500 patients with mild to moderately severe depression, Linde found that, as well as helping to lift the spirits, St John’s wort also has fewer side effects. ‘ Overall we found that the St John’s wort extracts tested in the trials were superior to placebos and as effective as standard antidepressants, with fewer side effects,’ said Linde.

You should always consult your doctor before taking this herb in case of adverse reactions with other prescribed medicines.

RHODIOLA

If you are feeling down in the dumps, 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.

PANAX 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, both of which are generally at low levels in people with depression.

HELP YOURSELF

• Eat healthily Follow a well balanced diet with at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, and cut back on salt, sugar  and stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol.
• Sleep well Aim for between seven and eight hours a night. Make your bedroom a restful place (no work or TV), and try to   stick to the same bedtime and waking hours.
• Move it Regular exercise is one of the best antidotes to depression. Aim to do some sort of activity that you enjoy for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
• Relax, relax Yoga, Pilates, meditation and deep-breathing exercises all help to relieve depression, helping you to feel more relaxed and peaceful. 
• Talk about it A problem shared can be a problem halved. Just having a sympathetic ear can make a huge difference to how you feel.  
   

Rhodiola is found in Vitano  - A traditional herbal medicinal product used for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with stress such as fatigue, exhaustion and mild anxiety based on traditional use only.