herbal support for climate grief
I know winter can be a heavy time. Though we just moved out of what Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) would consider a season of the lungs + grief, winter is often a time where grief arises and many of us experience lower moods (or SAD: Seasonal Affective Disorder).
As I returned home for the holidays, I noticed some of the flood damage to the rivers I frequent that happened just a week before. Overwhelming emotion followed. Grief is not only the loss of a person, but the loss of something- an experience, a place, an illness too. As humans, we are not separate from the world around us. We are just as much a part of nature as nature is a part of us.
Climate grief has to do with emotions experienced in response to events like these and in realization that the landscapes we love are changing in some way. While it is important to sit with the feelings that come up and learn to move through them, there is so much we can do to support ourselves during this process. Doing so empowers us to take action and lifts us up!
What I'm personally really loving right now is seeing all the people out there who are actively building relationship with nature (you're one of them!), and all the people I meet who are getting outside + making an effort to connect. That is what matters. That is part of collective action.
So what can you do to get out of a funk during the darker days, enliven your mood, or give yourself a boost when you're feeling lower than usual?
My Top Tips to Support Mood Health
Get outside everyday. One thing that drastically changed my mood during the winter is getting outside frequently. Even if it's cold, even if it's rainy- making room for physical activity, even if it's just a 30 minute walk, makes a world of difference in my mental health. Movement + sunlight are two keys to setting yourself up for success. While sunlight supports the regulation of our circadian rhythm, serotonin production, and Vitamin D, movement releases endorphins. And endorphins improve mood!
Contrast bathing. This means alternating hot and cold showers/baths as this is indicated for your individual body. This is a really easy way to slowly build resilience and soothe the nervous system with many other benefits: muscle relaxation, improvement in ability to focus, and circulation. Working up a sweat can also be important in supporting the lymphatic system to move out toxins and stagnation.
Share how you feel with your community. Community is a major aspect of both mental and physical health. This is a foundational pillar of wellness, and frankly, should be included in every protocol! Call a friend, a family member, go to a community gathering, or commune with nature. This helps us to let us know that we are not alone in the way we feel, connect with others, and can often give us the boost we need.
B Vitamins. B Vitamins are absolutely essential to brain health. Neurotransmitters require certain B vitamins to synthesize. Deficiency of such is important to look to as an underlying cause. Beyond this, B vitamins also influence our energy levels.
Herbs for Climate Grief
Happy Making: St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and Mimosa (Mimosa pudica)
Ah, good ole serotonin: the 'happy hormone'. Serotonin is responsible for mood stability and our ability to handle overwhelm, control of pain, influencing our sleep cycle, and immune function. Studies have shown a current understanding that St. John's Wort (specifically a constituent called hypericin) works to prevent the re-uptake of serotonin, acting similarly on dopamine and norepinephrine, which means there are more of these good feeling neurotransmitters floating around our brain. It's extremely important to note that with a class of pharmaceuticals called SSRIs (serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) that have a similar mechanism, St. John's Wort is entirely contraindicated. Mimosa on the other hand, a wonderful firework-looking flower, is also used to resolve feelings of sadness with a long history of use in TCM. The flowers in particular are used to concentrate more energy in the head center, reminding us to let go, laugh, and find delight in the little things.
Being Held: Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) and Linden (Tilia spp.)
Both of these plants are what herbalists consider "nervines", or plants that have an effect on the nervous system. One bitter and the other sweet like honey, they also both have an action on the cardiovascular system. Motherwort's latin name literally translates to "lion heart." A plant of bravery, Motherwort is indicated for anxiety with heart palpitations and does a dang good job providing motherly support when we need it. I liken the feeling of working with this plant to getting a mama bear hug- firm and delivering safety. Motherwort is extremely bitter, so consider taste when choosing how you work with the plant (tea, tincture, etc.).
The exact opposite in flavor, Linden is gentle, sweet, and feels like the caress of a loved one. Linden is traditionally used for grief, softening the heart when it is broken and soothing the nerves. This plant also has a very physical reaction of acting as a hypotensive, relaxing the heart. When I think of the action of these two in relation to climate grief, Motherwort really has a place in the panic and overwhelm that may result in the moment; she brings us back to the present. Linden is there waiting to comfort you in a nice big mug of tea!
Joy and Stress Relief: Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
A true darling, Lemon Balm is a favorite among many. A little tart, this plant is gifted at calming while also uplifting us, relieving feelings of sadness, and improving memory. This plant is overall playful in nature and can be employed when there is a heavy heart, inviting more lightness into life. Lemon balm does have impacts on thyroid function, so please be aware of this.
Grounding: Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum, O. sanctum)
Tulsi is a beloved herb of mine, having been a profound ally to my health. This plant is grounding and enlivening, similar to lemon balm, and works to dispel brain fog. In Ayurveda, Tulsi is considered a "rasayana", increasing vitality and promote longevity. They act as a secondary adaptogen, meaning they have an indirect influence on your hypothalamic-pituitary (HPA) axis, supporting the body through stress. Tulsi moves cold, stagnant energy, bringing in the warmth to our mental health, as well as digestive. When we are stuck in the pit of grief, unable to move, Tulsi is the one that comes in to lead us out of the dark.
~Medical Disclaimer: All information, content, and material is for educational purposes only. This is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Please seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have.~
