Combat the “winter blues” without antidepressants

It’s called the most wonderful time of the year for a reason, right?

But behind the joy and merriment that comes with the holiday season, it’s also the time of year when millions of folks start to feel STRESSED… ANXIOUS… and
even DEPRESSED.

It’s called seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—a form of depression that sets in during the winter months.

And these “winter blues” aren’t just in your head… it’s a real outcome of the days getting COLDER and SHORTER.

But there is a way to combat SAD—without having to touch a single drug.

Clary sage is commonly used in the practice of aromatherapy (aka essential oil therapy)—the holistic healing treatment that uses aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve both physical and emotional health.

A 2010 animal study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology investigated the antidepressant and stress-fighting effects of several different essential oils—including clary sage, chamomile, rosemary, and lavender.

The study determined that out of all the oils tested, clary sage had the MOST potent anti-stress effect.

Additionally, a human study done on a group of women undergoing a stressful medical test found that when they inhaled (through a safe aromatherapy diffuser) clary sage essential oil, it elicited feelings of RELAXATION… and helped REDUCE their blood pressure (which often elevates during times of stress).

Another human study with menopausal women who inhaled clary sage saw a significant drop in their levels of cortisol—the “stress hormone.”

Oh, and they reported feeling less depressed, too!

These studies were conducted on women, but there’s no reason why men wouldn’t benefit from the relaxing effects of clary sage. In fact, researchers who have studied clary sage say that the effect of the oil on the human body was closely linked to the feel-good hormone dopamine.

Clary sage is not a “cure” for SAD, but it can help elevate your body’s natural defenses against stress, potentially making you more relaxed and calmer.

Using clary age oil as an aromatic (via aromatherapy) is the most proven method to reduce stress. Clary sage essential oils can usually be found at health food stores that carry essential oils.

When it comes to essential oils, only use ones that are therapeutic grade. Generally speaking, you can use around 2 to 3 drops of clary sage oil. It can also be mixed with water and other essential oils and diffused into the air via an essential oil burner.

SAD is quite common and can affect people in different ways. If you are experiencing feelings of heightened stress, anxiety, or depression, it’s very important that you address that with your doctor or a qualified mental health professional.

To less stress this winter,

Cory Templeman
Senior Editor, eAlert

Sources:

Rose-Wilson, Debra. “5 Benefits of Clary Sage Oil.” https://www.healthline.com/health/clary-sage

PubMed. “Changes in 5-hydroxytryptamine and cortisol plasma levels in menopausal women after inhalation of clary sage oil.” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24802524/