Against states of depression, the dark thoughts and the bad blues, there are useful plants and essential oils. They are explained below, and we specify each time if there is interference with drug, anxiolytic or antidepressant treatments. thanks to Caroline Gayet for her advice: Caroline is a phytotherapist, herbalist, author of numerous books. Note: this article is the transcription of the interview in the expert video above.

Against dark thoughts and these small tendencies to depression, there are plants that can help you. These are especially those that increase your serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that we generally have at the end of the day, around 5 p.m. and which is precisely responsible for this good mood, this joie de vivre which leaves us a little when things are not going well.

So three plants can boost this serotonin: saffron, St. John’s wort and griffonia. St. John’s wort is the best known plant. It’s a midsummer herb, but it’s difficult to use if you take chemical drugs, since you are not allowed to do so, since it affects liver enzymes and interferes with the metabolism of many drugs. But if you do not take medication, then St. John’s wort can be very interesting, and you will have a relaxing effect that sets in fairly quickly. And the effect on mood and morale takes a little longer. It takes three good weeks.

• Instructions for use of St. John’s wort: it exists in herbal tea, mother tincture and capsules. It is rather taken around 4 p.m. and at bedtime.

Another option, especially if you are already taking medication: it can be saffron or griffonia. Saffron and griffonia are plants that will act in the same way and which will even act a little faster. Usually within the first week you feel an improvement. Saffron can also complement medications that would already be antidepressants or anxiolytics. Griffonia cannot be added to antidepressants and anxiolytics.

• Directions for use of saffron and griffonia: these plants are also taken at 4 p.m. and at bedtime and generally come in the form of capsules. We do cures on the time of the box in general, a short break, a week and we start again.

For all these herbal treatments: do not hesitate to be followed by a health professional because these are psychological issues and require follow-up. And also, if we can do a little talking therapy, it can only help.

Another thing that can help nerve cells get a little better is omega 3s. Omega 3s, you know, are those good brain fats, but that’s not all. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory on joint problems for example. But it has been shown to have an impact on our mood when we lack DHA – especially omega 3. FYI there are DHA and EPA. And DHA is involved in all cognitive phenomena and therefore in all that is also moral humor. Supplementing with omega 3 can be interesting.

• Instructions for use: take a small capsule rather in the evening. 500 milligrams of DHA is very good and we do a cure over three months.

On the aromatherapy side, you have frankincense and lemony litsea essential oils. The litsee is a marvel, it smells divinely good. And olibanum incense: it is a spiritual essential oil, which also helps us to connect to something bigger than ourselves and which is very soothing of all our little mental torments and which will allow to help in the process of dark thoughts, rather deep depression, depression. So don’t hesitate to use it.

There are three possibilities for use:

• in diffusion: Litsea and frankincense mix well together in an essential oil diffuser.
• Otherwise, to use in massage in the hollow of the wrist: a small drop of each, we get a little synergy. You can use them pure or diluted in a little vegetable oil, it’s up to you. Always, beforehand: you will have done the little elbow bend tolerance test 24 hours before.
• Once you’ve done these small wrist massages, come and inhale deeply, always ideally by plugging your nostril and closing your eyes to put yourself in an olfactory bubble, your little bubble of well-being to get better.