3 Herbal Formulas to Beat the Winter Blues

Darker evenings, chilly mornings, and frequently cloudy days are a signal for most of us that winter is coming. For some, winter weather is something to look forward to as it means the holidays are right around the corner. However, it can also bring some of us the winter blues. In this blog, we’ll dive into what the winter blues are and three herbal formulas to help support our moods and bodies during this time.

What Are the “Winter Blues”?

The winter blues are often categorized as a period of time (usually starting in autumn and lasting until the end of winter) when one feels emotionally down or unhappy.¹ The winter blues are estimated to affect around 10 million Americans—most of them being women². This can be the case for a couple of reasons. One, the winter can be a little bit more isolating for those who aren’t the biggest fans of outdoor winter activities. Two, it can be challenging because of less sun exposure, an element many of us need to feel happy and joyful. Studies have shown that the winter blues can come from not enough sunshine and consequently, vitamin D³. Most of our vitamin D comes from exposure to the sun, so when we don’t get enough of that, it takes a toll on our mood and overall wellbeing. Fortunately, there are helpful ways to boost your mood and get your health back on track in the chilly winter months.

Top 3 Formulas to Help Ease the Winter Blues

Mood Bloom™

Mood Bloom™, our slightly sweet, floral formula was made for those struggling with low motivation due to seasonal moodiness and hormonal changes⁴. Maca root is a star ingredient in the formula and is commonly used for hormonal support. Maca is especially useful for those dealing with mood swings and fluctuations in energy and hormones. Hawthorn berry has also been used as an uplifting herb⁵ whether it’s supporting your body against the winter blues or soothing your nervous system when faced with difficult life situations. Lastly, one of our top mood-supporting herbs in the formula is mucuna pruriens a.k.a. velvet bean. Mucuna naturally contains L-dopa, a precursor to the neurotransmitter, dopamine⁶. Dopamine plays multiple roles in the body including regulating mood, sleep, attention, memory, and learning⁷—making it a vital part of maintaining lasting wellbeing from head to toe.

Chill the F* Out™

This formula features one of the most talked about adaptogenic herbs: ashwagandha. Used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that can help the body adapt and respond to stress over time⁸. Additionally, many have reported a more stable mood when using ashwagandha⁹. Cacao¹⁰ is also a key ingredient in Chill the F* Out™ and is popular for its mood-boosting benefits and has even been shown to increase serotonin levels (the happy chemical in the brain). This formula is a refreshing wintertime favorite as it contains peppermint which is perfect in your morning coffee to boost the mood or as a nightcap to soothe you to sleep.

Rosé-Tinted Glasses™

Rosé-Tinted Glasses™, our mood-boosting tincture formula, features potent herbs like schisandra berry, chrysanthemum, hibiscus, rosehip, lion’s mane, and eleuthero. Slightly stimulating and rejuvenating, this combination of herbs is great for those who experience dry skin, low energy, fatigue, and moodiness during the wintertime¹¹. Lion’s mane¹² is a mushroom featured in the formula that’s popular for its mental clarity and brain support benefits which can help reenergize a lethargic mind. Plus, rosehip¹³ and schisandra¹⁴ are both known to be antioxidant-rich herbs that uplift the body and rejuvenate the skin. This herbal combination is a great addition to your winter routine to bring you back to balance.

Conclusion

The winter can bring new challenges and changes to the mind, body, and spirit. Whether our moods take a hit, our skin becomes less supple, or the dark days of winter leave us fatigued, we have herbal options to help ease the stress of the season. Along with adding herbs to your routine, supplementing with vitamin D¹⁵ can be a great addition to supporting your mood during the colder months. Herbs and supplementation together can be a powerful combination to bust out of the winter blues and have you feeling emotionally balanced all year long.