Magickal Happenings with Oshuyn...

We all experience the occasional case of the blues, but sometimes we can lift our mood with herbal remedies.

Anxiouness, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping and lethargy may be symptoms of depression or anxiety.  many people just accept such feelings as part of modern life, but there are simple and effective ways to boost your mood using herbal remedies.

Holistic Healing

Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years to relieve depression.  Some that have been traditionally taken to chase away the "winter blues" are now known to be as effective and potent as western medicines, with fewer side effects. 

A healing approach that is "holistic," incorporating a healthy lifestyle wiht aromatherapy and the healing powers of herbas can help you to regain your strength, joy and enthusiasm for life.

St. John's Wort - "Natural Prozac"

St. John's Wort has been regarded as a miracle herb for the last 4000 years, and is now being rediscovered by the medical world as nature's alternative to Prozac.

People taking St. John's Wort report a sense of well-being and serenity.  The herb calms the spirit and sharpens perception, helping people to enjoy life to the full.  Scientific studies show it to be as effective as conventional antidepressant drugs in treating mild to moderate depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and anxiety.

St. John's Wort works by altering levels of serotonin and melatonin, chemicals in the brain that regulate energy levels, alertness and mood.  The herb also increases "theta waves" that only occur during sleep and meditation.  For the effects to be therapeutic, St. John's Wort must be taken regularly as a incture or infusion.

"Winter Blues' may be caused by the pineal gland secreting too much of the hormone melatonin.

Natural Mood Lifters

Whether you've got the winter blues or are suffering from stress and anxiety, these easy-to-prepare herbal remedies can be used to chase away the symptoms of depression

Revitalizing Herbal Tea

A warming herbal tea will help to chase away the blues without giving you the caffeine jitters of coffee.  To make your own herbal tea:

1. Take half a teaspoon each of the dried herbs St. John's Wort, vervain and licorice.  Add to a handful of fresh borage flowers.

2. Place mixture in a teapot and add boiling water.

3. Steep for 10 minutes, then strain the liquid into a cup.

4. Sweetn with honey as desired, and drink instead of your usual tea or coffee.

An herbal tea infusion including St. John's Wort will lift your spirits.

Soothing Valerian

Valerian, which grows in abundance in damp meadows, has been an esteemed herbal remedy for centuries.  Nicknamed "all heal" by herbalists, the joice of the root has a soothing and quieting effect.

Prescribed to soldiers suffering from shell shock during both world wars, it is now recommended to combat nervous exhaustion and emotional upsets.  It can be taken as a cpsule or an herbal extract from the fresh root.

Valerian is known as nature's Valium.  It has been used as a natural tranquilzer for thousands of years.

Healing Hops

Hops are another effective remedy for treating tension and anxiety.  They promote restful and refreshing sleep without the side effects of sleepign pills.  For a blissful night's sleep, rest your head on a pillow filled with dried hop flowers or take a cup of hops tea for a soothing naturla nightcap.

A small pouch of hops placed under your pillow will help you to sleep soundly.

Beautiful Borage

Borage has a long association with joy and courage; its bright blue, star-shaped flowers are popular in many herb gardens.  It is often added to cold summer drinks as its slighly cucumbery taste is a perfect complement to many party favorites.

Young fresh leaves and flowers can be used to drive away the blues, restore energy and lift the spirits.  The herb works by stimulating the adrenal gland to produce adrenaline.

Add some borage flowers to lemon balm and iced apple juice to make a refreshing summer drink.

Flowers That Shine Like The Sun

We all know that a big bunch of bright, beautiful flowers can work wonders in lifting our mood.  In magick and folklore, flowers that resemble the Sun take on its attributes, giving out light and life energy wherever they are found.

Cheerful birhgt yellow and orange flowers, such as those of marigolds and gerberas, drive away negative feelings, leaving a spirit that is warm and refreshed.

The ancient Egyptians valued marigold as a rejuvenating herb.  In traditional Chinese medicing it is used to bring people's spirits back into harmony.

Float fresh flowers in a bowl of spring water and leave in sunlight during the day.  This infuses the water with the Sun's light, which you can sip as a flower remedy.

Be In Your Brilliance!

Oshuyn