If stress is at all a significant issue in your life, ashwagandha is an herb you should consider trying. We all know the negative effects stress can have on our lives. Not only do we feel stressed and tense, but long-term stress also contributes to the development of many common chronic diseases, such as depression,Continue reading “Ashwagandha for Stress and Brain Health”
Tag Archives: depression
Brighten Your Day with Lemonbalm!
Meet lemonbalm. She could be your new best friend especially if you are dealing with a lot of stress. Many of us push ourselves so hard everyday, and this can contribute to mood issues. So we need an herbal best friend to bring a little sunshine to our days. Lemonbalm is just such a friend.Continue reading “Brighten Your Day with Lemonbalm!”
Have a Healthier Winter with Vitamin D
We have been lucky this January to have so many sunny days, but are we still getting enough vitamin D? I know that most days I am working inside and only see the sun when I am taking care of my chickens in the morning. If we don’t get enough sun and our vitamin DContinue reading “Have a Healthier Winter with Vitamin D”
A Connection between Depression and Heart Disease
In popular culture, the heart is often considered to be the seat of our emotions. We love and grieve with our hearts. From a biological point of view, we understand the heart as the organ that pumps blood through our bodies. But there is something more than that to the heart. I know I amContinue reading “A Connection between Depression and Heart Disease”
Is Methylfolate for You?
I’ve been wanting to write a blog about methylfolate for a while since the genetic variation in how we process folic acid can sometimes have a huge impact on heart, mood, and overall health. I’ve been delaying because it is not a simple topic, but here is a basic introduction to it. Our bodies useContinue reading “Is Methylfolate for You?”
Build a Better Brain with the Mineral Lithium
No, I am not crazy (or no more so than the average person), but you might describe me as very excited by the potential brain benefits of lithium. While lithium is most famous for its use in large doses for bipolar disorders, lower doses can have an impressive array of benefits for mood and long-termContinue reading “Build a Better Brain with the Mineral Lithium”
Save American Ginseng: Save Yourself
A new show on the History channel, Appalachian Outlaws, highlights the politics of one of this region’s most valuable herbs, American ginseng. Many of us here in the Ozarks also have a personal attachment to this medicinal plant. A good friend of mine had the ginseng patch he had nurtured for over 20 years decimatedContinue reading “Save American Ginseng: Save Yourself”
Healthy Hints for Holiday Happiness
The holidays can be a time to relax and enjoy time with your family. And they can be a time to run yourself ragged trying to make holiday magic happen for others. On top of this, some struggle with seasonal depression from reduced sunlight and fewer opportunities to exercise. While winter can be an enchantingContinue reading “Healthy Hints for Holiday Happiness”
Omega-3s for Mood
Fish oil has numerous well-documented benefits for our health. It is probably best known for its cardiovascular advantages of decreasing cholesterol and clotting. Here I am going to focus on its mood supporting qualities, because there have been a number of exciting recent studies. In one study following patients with major depression, the likelihood ofContinue reading “Omega-3s for Mood”
Herbs of the Ozarks
I believe that if we know the local herbs in any region well enough, we can rely on them nearly exclusively to treat most common complaints. This holds true for the Ozark region, where many classic American herbs grow and many introduced species also tend to flourish. In fact, the Ozarks are part of theContinue reading “Herbs of the Ozarks”
Dr. Laurell Matthews, ND 