The medicinal use of herbs to stabilize your mood is common practice in alternative and complementary medicine. Such uses are derived from folklore where herbs such as Saint John's wort were used for their antidepressant capabilities and often to calm the nerves and reduce anxiety. Herbs can be ingested by preparing teas and liquid extracts or by taking capsules of powdered herbs. The HealthState magazine article "Herbs: The Roots of Medicine" maintains that herbs are indeed the roots of all modern medicine.
Saint John's Wort
Saint John's wort is a virtually side-effect free herbal treatment for mild depression and mood stabilization. Due to the herb's active compound hypericin, it has been used for thousands of years to treat similar symptoms and a host of others, including general nerve disorders. Vanderbilt University reports that in Germany, Saint John's wort is prescribed nearly 7 to 1 over Prozac due to its natural effectiveness.
Lavender
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that lavender essential oil can be used to treat anxiety and stress, which can help you stabilize your mood swings. Also possessing antibacterial and antiviral properties, lavender oil is sometimes used in integrative medicine such as massage. Massage with lavender essential oil can reduce your stress levels by stabilizing your mood, improving your concentration and reducing your anxiety. UMMC also notes that lavender's aroma relaxes the activity of the nervous system, improves sleep quality and promotes relaxation, all of which help to counteract mood swings.
Ginseng
Ginseng is an adaptogenic, which means that it helps you handle and mitigate the effects of stress reactions and remain stable. The extracts found in ginseng stimulate brain activity and cause a more efficient use of your body's energy, which results in more effective output of productivity. The University of Michigan Health System reveals that ginseng contains compounds called ginsenosides, which have been shown to diminish stress and benefit mental and physical performance. All such findings effectively serve the treatment of mood swings.
