Moodiness, with its feelings of irritability and discontent, seems to strike just about everybody at one time or another. Moodiness can make it hard to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, and to keep negative events in proportion. Many people are turning to herbal remedies to combat moodiness. If you feel you are depressed, you should consult a physician or a mental health professional. But for an occasional "blue" mood or bout of irritability, you may want to try herbal remedies. Because herbs can have side effects and interfere with prescription medicines, you should discuss their use with your doctor before taking them.
Step 1
Take 200 mg of Asian ginseng, in a standardized ginseng extract with 4 percent ginsenosides, twice a day. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center website, one study on the effects on Asian ginseng on more than 500 people found that it helped significantly improve the quality of their lives.
Step 2
Take two 60-mg Ginkgo biloba tablets daily with water and a meal. Ginkgo biloba improves the blood flow through the brain, and appears to normalize neurotransmitter levels, an important component of brightening moods.
Step 3
Take 30 mg a day of saffron, or Crocus sativus L. According to the Mental Health website, one study suggested that saffron may work as well as imipramine -- sold under the name Tofranil -- for mild to moderate depression.
Step 4
Take three 350-mg capsules of chamomile extract three times a day. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine website, a clinical study at the University of Pennsylvania demonstrated that chamomile extract has calming effects.
Step 5
Take 70 mg of kava kava, or Piper methysticum, three times a day. Kava kava, used by Pacific islanders for more than 3,000 years as a ceremonial beverage, has soothing and stress-relieving qualities. According to the HealingWell website, kava kava has a calming effect comparable to that of benzodiazapines -- tranquilizers such as Xanax and Valium -- without the side effects. It has analgesic and sedative qualities, and is a mild euphoriant.
Tips and Warnings
- Try to get plenty of regular physical exercise -- the endorphins released may brighten your outlook. Exchange coffee for lemon balm tea. While the caffeine in coffee can increase anxiety, lemon balm tea has calming and mild spirit-lifting effects.
- St. John's wort may cause increased sensitivity to light. Do not take chamomile extract if you are allergic to ragweed or take anti-coagulant drugs.
Things You'll Need
- 200-mg capsules of Asian ginseng, containing 4 percent ginsenosides
- 60-mg Ginkgo biloba tablets
- 30-mg saffron tablets
- 350-mg chamomile extract tablets
- Kava kava tablets, containing a minimum of 70 mg kavalactones
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Asian Ginseng
- Healing With Nutrition.com: Beating the Blues with Natural Antidepressants
- HealingWell.com: Herbs for Depresssion
- VitaminStuff.com: The Herb Chamomile
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Study Shows Chamomile Capsules Ease Anxiety Symptoms
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