We're getting into the shortest days of the year and it's all too easy to feel subdued, dreary and down.  I think I'm in partial hibernation mode because my main passtime is eating and sleeping.   One day of gloom is a nice excuse to stay on the couch drinking cocoa and vegging out, but day after day of light deprivation can take a toll on your emotional health.  Common clues that you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder are sleeping a lot but still tired, depression, lack of energy, lowered resistance to infections, weight gain, craving carbs,  and social withdrawal.  I think of a big grouchy bear crawling into his cave, fat, sleepy and wanting to be left alone. The best antidote of course is sunlight, or at least some full spectrum light bulbs, but there are some flower essences that are relevant to depression and S.A.D. 

The lynch pin to any S.A.D formula has to be Saint John' s Wort.   It has entirely to do with light in every sense.  We use this on people who are sensitive to light, who are afraid of the dark, and who are deprived of light such as in S.A.D or graveyard workers.  Saint John's not only deals with external physical light, but brings light inward illuminating your soul.

Mustard is a classic depression essence, indicated for depression that comes and goes, but seems to come out of nowhere. 

Borage is very uplifting, unburdening, anti-depressive for that "heavy-hearted" feeling or anything that prevents you from having the confidence to face a tough period in your life. 

Bluebell helps those who dwell in the negative, who are grumpy, moody, and cannot cycle out of cynicism. Bluebell helps give you a positive outlook on life.

Horseradish helps those who feel stuck and unable to make changes, a victim of fate or under others control, horseradish deals with those feelings of fear, depression and powerlessness.

Russian Sage opens up the respiratory system and gives you a feeling of expansion, lightness and joy overflowing from the heart and radiating outward.

Shasta Daisy enables you to feel alive and remember how to have fun

Sweet Chestnut For those who do not believe they have reached their threshold of pain and can't bear anymore, no way out.  Sweet Chestnut will get you through in one piece, and give you back your faith.  If you are suicidal get help and mix Sweet Chestnut with Bach's Cherry Plum essence.

Thimbleberry brings joy despite circumstances

Wild Rose helps those who are overly accepting of a cruddy lot in life, they don't even try to work towards betterment, they are resigned to their "lot in life."  This occurs frequently in long illnesses or "uncurable" illnesses.

Zinnia will make you laugh. Zinnia is for people who take themselves too seriously, for repressed inner children and workaholics. Zinnia helps bring humor and fun to your daily responsibilities.

My top picks for a S.A.D. formula would be the St John's, Mustard, Borage, and Russian Sage.  You can choose what you need when you order a custom formula.

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From the Dec 2008 newsletter