American-Skullcap

Healing Herbs for Mental Health (part 2)

by with No Comment ADHDAnxietyDepressionEcotherapyHealing the planetHealing with natureHealth and wellbeingHerbsMental healthSocial and emotional wellbeingWellbeing

This is the second blog in a series exploring natural alternatives to reduce stress and manage mild to moderate mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and ADHD symptoms. If you haven’t read part one in this series, then I suggest you start there first.

Lemon Balm (melissa officinalis)

With its long history in Greek medicine, lemon balm was affectionately referred to as an elixir of life, for its reputation for prolonging one’s life.  Greek physicians encouraged drinking lemon balm to make the heart merry, revive spirits and do away with melancholy.  In 1696 the London Dispensary stated the balm steeped in wine would reverse aging and “relieve languishing”.  The Arabs also talked about its calming and healing properties for steadying nerves and a remedy for heart palpitations.  Perhaps they were onto something, as more recent studies in patients with chronic stable angina demonstrated decreases in depression, anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders after taking lemon balm supplements.  There are also good, published results for women experiencing the post-partum blues after caesarean births.  The oil in lemon balm has a sedative effect which reduces tension and stress.  There are anecdotal reports of many a student benefiting from the herbal tea, just prior to sitting exams, to calm the butterflies, clear their head and sharpen the memory.  Lemon balm tea is safe for all ages – even an unsettled baby to help with sleep.

Affectionately known as ‘melissa’ in some countries, lemon balm is a good companion plant in the garden.  Some people plant it near their beehive to settle bees into their new home and prevent swarming.  Lemon balm will grow in sun or shade, and it won’t take over like its mint cousin.  Propagate it by cutting, root division or seed.

Make a tea with one heaped teaspoon of chopped, fresh leaves in a cup of boiling water, 2-3 times a day.  It’s also a lovely refreshing drink, when chilled, or makes a nice addition to fresh fruit salad.  It can also be added to the bath for a relaxing body soak.

Lemon balm should not be consumed if taking thyroid hormones.

Hops (humulus lupus)

Hops is a member of the Cannabaceae (marijuana) family.  Native Americans were some of the first to discover the sedative effects of hops, back in the 9th century.  In 16th Century Europe, hops were widely used as a herbal tonic that offered calming, sedative, and sleep-promoting properties, not just as an ingredient to prevent beer spoiling.  The Chinese started using hops to treat insomnia, restlessness and nervous tension in the 19th Century.  In 2017, a study of healthy young adults experiencing mild anxiety and depression were treated with hop extract for one month, demonstrating significant reductions in symptoms.  Whilst a few studies suggest hops has the ability to treat anxiety and mood disorders, more research is needed to confirm these effects.  Anecdotally and historically, hops calm the central nervous system and relaxes muscles, soothing worries and tension. 

The vine from hops will very quickly cover a pergola or trellis.  It requires a rich soil and warm sunny position in the garden.  In subtropical gardens, the plant appreciates afternoon shade.  Propagation is by seed, cuttings or root divisions with buds.  Female plants are preferable to produce an abundance of the strobiles, the cone-shaped fruit used in making the medicinal tonic, however male plants are needed if you wish to collect seed.

Dried or fresh hops can be used with vodka or another flavourless alcohol to make a tincture which will keep for many months.  Hops can also be used to make a tea or stuff a pillow along with other more pleasant-smelling herbs, to put beside your head at night to aid sleep. 

If you have a history of trauma its best to avoid hops to begin with and use an alternative nervine such as skullcap or blue vervain, until you are well into your healing journey.  There are no known side effects or contraindications for using hops, however, always consult your doctor if introducing it to your treatment plan.

Scullcap (scutellaria lateriflora)

Lateriflora and Baicalensis are the two most common varieties of skullcap from the mint family.  Lateriflora derives from native American soil and basicalensis is a traditional Chinese herb.  Although related, they treat very different ailments.

Traditionally American scullcap was used as an emmenagogue by Indian elders, to bring on the menstrual cycle of young girls.  In the 19th and early 20th centuries, physicians used it as a nervine to treat anxiety caused by physical health issues, mental exhaustion and heart disorders.  In the last few centuries, lateriflora has also been used to assist people experiencing mild depression, insomnia and to improve mood.  Research appears to support the hypothesis that skullcap stimulates gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that helps calm nervous, thereby positively impacting mood and reducing anxiety.  In this way, it works similar to many anti-anxiety medications.

Herbalists often turn to scullcap as a good all-round ‘nerve food’ for its ability to reduce nervous tension and regenerate the central nervous system during periods of stress.  For those times in our lives when it’s not logistically possible to reduce some of the sources of stress, skullcap can be the perfect daily tonic.

Propagation is by seed, cuttings or root division.  Plant in a sunny, well-draining soil or if you would prefer the plant doesn’t take over your garden then keep in a pot.  Harvest the leaves and flowers once it is in full bloom.  It will die back in winter and resurge in Spring.

The ideal dose is 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb steeped in boiling water for 10-15 minutes, 3 times a day.  It is quite bitter, so you may want to add honey or other herbs like mint to improve the tea flavour.  Best to start on a low dose and build up slowly.  It also has immediate therapeutic effects that can make you sleepy.

Scullcap is a relaxant and sedative that can trigger side effects such as drowsiness, confusion and irregular heartbeat, so consult your GP before taking this herb.  Scullcap is known to interact with some medications.  Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid it altogether.  Large doses and long-term use are associated with liver damage.

Vervain (verbena officinalis)

Vervain is such an amazing healing herb that has been used in folk medicine to treat a whole range of different ailments.  Legend has it that after the body of Jesus was removed from the cross, vervain growing nearby was pressed onto the wounds.  Military physicians during the French revolution used it extensively for pain and wound management. During the Middle Ages, it was used for numerous skin and hair ailments.  Since then, the list of applications for physical health has grown exponentially.  In more recent times, the focus has also been on mental health benefits.

Like other nervines, vervain has been shown to strengthen the nervous system by reducing stress, tension and anxiety, promoting feelings of calm and relaxation.  It has natural tranquilising effects for those suffering from restlessness, irritation and insomnia.  Giving our body the opportunity to ‘rest and digest’ during our stressful busy lives is critical, so our nervous system experiences calm and our hormones are balanced.  Vervain has also been used extensively with those experiencing depression, low nervous energy and lack of motivation, due to its energy boosting and tonic properties. 

Vervain has attractive white to purplish flowers appearing in late Spring and Summer.  Propagation is by seed, root division or cutting.  Plant in full sun in well-draining soil.  It is frost resistant but does not cope with drought.

Make a tea of ½-1 teaspoon of dried or 3 teaspoons of fresh herb in a cup of water, for 10-15 minutes.  It is quite bitter, so you may like to add honey or lemon to mask the flavour.  Drink up to 3 cups a day.

Vervain used in excess may cause nausea and vomiting.  It can interfere with hormone therapy and blood pressure medication.  Pregnant women should avoid it, due to its association with uterine contractions.

Gotu kola (centella asiatic)

Like lemon balm, gota kola also has a centuries old history of being the ‘elixir of life’, increasing brain capacity and promoting longevity.  However, lots of people now say, ‘eating a few leaves a day, keep arthritis away’. In Ancient China it was the key ingredient in their ‘fountain of youth’ elixir.  The Chinese herbalist, Professor Li Chung Yun who lived to 256 years old proclaimed amongst various tips for a long stress-free life to include daily consumption of gotu kola and ginseng.  In Ayurvedic medicine, gotu kola is valued for boosting nerve and brain cell function, promoting calmness and mental clarity, and improving poor memory and concentration.  In the early 1930’s, biochemical studies proved gotu kola was influencing the replacement of biogenic amines, the brain neurotransmitters involved in learning, memory, attention and concentration.  More recent research has shown gotu kola can relieve symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactive conditions such as ADHD.

A 2016 study on mice demonstrated gotu kola reduced anxiety induced behaviour, and that same year a small study on humans showed the herb reduced stress, anxiety and depression after 60 days.  However, more research is needed.

Gotu kola is a ground cover and can be easily mistaken for pennywort or native violet.  Propagation is by root division of the plant or seed.  Gotu kola thrives in tropical and subtropical climates.  If growing in more temperate regions, put in a large pot or Styrofoam box so you can shift it into a warm position in winter, and out of frosts.  Fertilize regularly for the best growth.

Just like Professor Li, it’s best to make taking gotu kola a daily habit.  Start with just one or two leaves in the morning and work up to 4-6 leaves a day.  You can pick straight from the garden and chew it or chop and add it to food.  The herb can also be dried and used as a tea; however, this is one herb where fresh is best.  You may be tempted to take more to achieve more effects, however this is not advised.  Some serious side effects have been anecdotally reported. Gotu kola is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Whilst this article has outlined some of the medicinal herbs that can support your own mental health, make sure you do your own research. This can include spending some time with the plants you are considering.  What are you noticing as you sit with them?  Does it feel in your gut it is the right thing to try?  You should always listen to what your body is telling you.  If you are not sure, then find out more information.  One of those people you should always consult before taking any herb is your healthcare practitioner, especially if you suffer from an existing medical condition or are on medication, to ensure there are no contraindications and to monitor any potential side effects.

Happy healing herb growing!

References:

‘How Can I use Herbs in my Daily Life?’ by Isabel Shipard
The Botanical Institute
The Lost Herbs
Healthline.com
Restorative Medicine
Webmd.com



herb garden

Healing Herbs for Mental Health

by with No Comment AnxietyDepressionDietDisease and illnessEcotherapyHealing with natureHealth and wellbeingHerbsMental healthNutritionStressTherapy with FoodTraditional Healing PracticesWellbeing

As an advocate for the power of nature in mental health promotion, I have been wondering lately what herbs have to offer us in treatment?

Herbs can be an attractive alternative for people with mild to moderate mental health issues who are hesitant about starting pharmaceutical medications or want a more natural approach to their health.  Our history of using plants as medicine in Australia dates back thousands of years and many First Nations people still use traditional bush medicines in the treatment of various illnesses including mental disorders.  Indigenous peoples worldwide have a holistic view of health that promotes re-balancing both our physical and spiritual selves to treat illness.  The answers are found in nature.  After colonisation, the adoption of herbal medicines came from folk lore remedies passed down from European ancestors.  With the rapid growth of industrialisation, there has been a corresponding growth in pharmaceuticals to meet the rising demand for treating mental illness and somewhere along the way, we lost touch with our traditional plant knowledge.

This blog is the first in a series introducing herbs that have been used in traditional, Eastern or folk medicine to treat various ailments including mental health issues.  Some of these have since been studied in the science lab to try and understand their effects, and some haven’t.  The willingness of doctors to include them in your treatment plan will therefore be limited, unless they have been thoroughly tested and are recommended in the global clinical guidelines.  At the very least, your doctor should be able to guide you on whether a particular herb will react with any medication you might already be taking.  And if you are not taking pharmaceuticals then there is probably nothing to lose.

St Johns Wort (hypericum perforatum)

In centuries past, the Greeks and Romans used St Johns wort to drive out evil spirits said to possess humans and protect them against witches’ spells.  Those afflicted were encouraged to drink the tea or hang bunches of the herb around their neck or over doorways in the home.  St Johns Wort has a large variety of traditional therapeutic uses on the human body including conditions of the nervous system such as depression, restlessness, anxiety, tension, irritability and nightmares.  The herb has been well-researched scientifically in Europe to have an effect on lightening moods in people affected by bipolar depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), melancholy and low self-worth, through increasing feelings of euphoria and well-being.  St Johns Wort is believed to work by optimising the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain such as ‘the feel good’ chemical, serotonin.  Depleted serotonin levels are associated with depression, anxiety and mania.  St Johns Wort demonstrates similar results to pharmaceutical drugs such as fluoxetine with fewer side effects.  For mild to moderate depression, it is now one of Australia’s top selling herbal medicines but may take as long as 2 or months to start having maximum benefit.

Native to Europe, but now naturalised in Australia, some states have declared it a noxious weed for its invasion of farmland.  It is best grown from a cutting or division of the roots, as seeds take a long time to germinate.  It prefers well drained soil and performs well in temperate climates.  Contain the herb in a pot to prevent spreading, however it generally only lives for a few years.  It cannot be grown in Victoria as it is declared a noxious weed.

Infuse a tea of ½ to 1 teaspoon of herb in a cup of boiling water and drink with meals.  It is also available in a tincture, taken three times a day. 

Some people can react to taking St Johns Wort in combination with certain pharmaceutical drugs and foods or drink.    Please consult with your medical practitioner to make sure it is safe for you and your circumstances.

German Chamomile (matricaria recutita)

There is some evidence to suggest that chamomile might be helpful for people who experience anxiety.  Studies as recent as 2020 have also shown clinically meaningful antidepressant effects in patients with co-morbid depression and anxiety.  However, more research is needed.  It is believed that chamomile works to boost mood regulators in the brain including serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline, however this has not been clinically proven.

Monks in the Middle Ages would lay sick people down in a lawn of chamomile, believing that the pleasing aroma of the leaves lifted them from depression and illness.  An oil of chamomile made from chamomile flowers and olive oil macerated for two weeks is used in aromatherapy to lift the spirits of emotional, anxious or over-sensitive people.

Chamomile is best propagated by seed.  Plant directly in the garden or in pots in well drained soil, in a sunny position.  In hot and tropical climates, choose a position in the garden which gets afternoon shade.  In cold, frosty climates, wait until spring to plant seeds.

For tea, pick the flower heads as they start to bloom and dry in the shade.  When fully dried, store in a sealed container.  Picking flower heads regularly will stimulate more production and extend the life of the plant.  Seed can be saved from flower heads that have started to droop, before they dry out and fall to the ground.

Chamomile can have negative interactions with prescribed medications or other supplements so consult your doctor.

Passionflower (Passiflora)

As far back as the 1560s, the Incas were using passionflower to brew a tonic tea.  But it was the Christians who shortly after gave the passionflower its name, taken in by the large blossoms that appeared to evoke the Passion of the Crucifixion.  Passionflower contains tranquilizing chemicals, maltol, flavonoids and passiflorine, which is similar to morphine.  It also contains stimulants although researchers believe the overall effect is mildly sedative, and therefore you cannot get addicted to it.  Passionflower is believed to assist with feelings of nervousness, restlessness, anxiety, depression, tension and stress.  It is a favoured herbal alternative to pharmaceutical drugs like Valium.  Passionflower is also used to assist in managing hyperactivity and sleeplessness.

The passionfruit plant is easy to grow in tropical and subtropical climates, from seed, cutting or root runners.  In cooler areas, some species such as the Banana Passionfruit are cold tolerant.  The trailing vine with is colourful flowers is a wonderful addition to the garden, igniting all the senses.

The leaves and flowers of the passionfruit plant are used in herbal preparations.  One teaspoon of dried herb is steeped for 10-15 minutes in one cup of boiling water.  Drink the tea up to three cups a day including one before bed to help you sleep soundly.

Passionflower should not be taken with antidepressant drugs, while pregnant or if you have liver disease.  Do not take any more than the recommended dose.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

Catnip has been used medicinally for a wide range of afflictions from Europe to China over the last 2000 plus years.  Most noted for its intoxicating effect on cats which brush up against or eat the leaves, not all cats have the gene that contributes to their experience of euphoria.  It is the same chemical in catnip that attracts cats called nepetalactone isomers, which produces the relaxing effect in humans, similar to the natural sedative in Valerian (valepotriates). 

Catnip has the effect of uplifting your mood, easing emotional tension, relaxing the whole body and boosting well-being.  It is also used as a mild sedative for insomnia.

Catnip is a useful aromatic addition to the garden attracting bees and repelling mosquitos.  It is easy to grow from seed, cutting or root division, in a wide variety of soil types and climates.  Harvest the leaves and flowers in late summer while in full bloom, dry them and store in an air-tight container in order to preserve the volatile oil.

Use 2 teaspoons of the dried herb in a cup of boiling water and steep for 10 to 20 minutes.  If it is going to work for you, you should start to notice the effects in 2 weeks.  Even tucking a bag of dried catnip leaves under your pillow help to induce a restful sleep. 

Catnip is non-toxic but if you experience an upset stomach or allergic reactions, either decrease the dosage or stop using it. 

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)

Motherwort has a strong folklore history.  The ancient Greeks and Romans used it for depression, physical and “emotional problems of the heart” experienced as palpitations.  The Chinese have revered the herb for longevity.  An English herbalist called Culpepper in the 17th century once wrote, “There is no better herb to take melancholy from the heart and make a merry, cheerful soul”.  It got the name motherwort from its use as a uterine stimulant to bring on labour.  Despite limited research into its effects, some European countries have approved its use to treat a rapid or irregular heart rate caused by stress, anxiety and other nervous conditions.  One study in 2011, demonstrated after 28 days of treatment with motherwort, 32 percent of participants with significant improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression, and a further 48 percent of participants showing moderate improvement.  

Motherwort can be quite difficult to grow from seed, enjoys a sunny or partly shaded position in the garden, and adapts to any soil and climatic conditions.  It is sometimes affectionately known as Lion’s Tail due to the tall distinct tail-like stems from which soft, hairy leaves grow. 

Use motherwort dried leaves in a tea steeped for 10 minutes, with a little honey or lemon juice to hide the bitter taste or combine with another herb such as spearmint.  Sip 1-2 cups throughout the day or alternatively take ½-1 teaspoon of tincture three times a day.

Motherwort should not be used in pregnancy.  It should be used only under doctor supervision, if cardiac drugs are being prescribed and used.

Whilst introducing herbs might be something to try, it is also important to consider what else is passing your lips.  Some nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B and zinc, are associated with depression.  It is well known that a diet of processed foods, as opposed to a balanced wholefood diet of lean meats, fish, whole grains, fruit and vegetables, puts you at higher risk of developing depressive and anxiety symptoms.  For more on the impact of diet on mental health, check out my other blog.

Whilst all these plants can be bought as either a tincture or dried herb, I highly recommend trying to grow your own.  Getting out in the garden and breathing in the soil microbes are also a great mental health initiative. Old traditional herbs are a wonderful addition to the garden and allow you to play a role in preserving our wonderful history of herbal medicine.  Just check if there are any growing restrictions in your state.

Please remember, that medicinal herbs should only be used in consultation with your treating medical practitioner, as there may be contraindications with your current medications, possible side effects or higher risks of allergic reactions.  Some herbs are also not suitable to take during pregnancy or to give children to children.

A good GP should be willing to consult with you, if you are wanting to introduce herbal medicines into your treatment plan.  All the available research on what is effective and what isn’t is published in these global clinical guidelines, accessible to clinicians, who are often unsure of the most recent available evidence.

Happy healing herb growing.

For part two in this series, click here.

References:

‘How Can I use Herbs in my Daily Life?’, Isabel Shipard
‘The New Healing Herbs’, Michael Castleman
New clinical guidelines for the use of medicinal plants, Deakin University

cauliflower brain

Feed Your Brain and Feel Better

by with No Comment AnxietyDepressionDietHealing with natureHealth and wellbeingMental healthNutritionSelf CareWellbeing

Did you know that up to 40% of the nutrients you eat goes into feeding your brain? 

The food you eat not only fuels your physical health but new research shows it affects our mental health too!

Is your brain foggy and lethargic, ruminating and making you feel depressed, or overactive and anxious?  So what is it you are putting into your body?  If we’re really going to make a difference in how we feel and think, then we have to look at what we are feeding our brain.

We need to start taking a different approach to treating mental health, because medication alone is not the answer.  If it were, then we wouldn’t be having a global mental health crisis right now. Globally, the number of people taking antidepressants, anti-anxiety and anxti-psychotic medication has doubled over the last five years to 17 percent of the adult population.  

So I want to shine the light on nutrition to improve your mental health.

You’re not going to like what you read because this requires a move away from ultra-processed foods which are usually cheap and convenient.  The Western diet is typically high in calories, refined grains and sugar, heavily processed, high in chemicals and low in fresh produce.  These foods are packed out with ingredients like starch, vegetable oil and sugars along with additives like colours, flavours and emulsifiers so they are cheap to buy but offer no nutritional goodness.

So what is it your brain actually needs so that it can function at its best and having you thinking and feeling great?   Fish oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that are key to good brain function.  But the real jewels for a mentally healthy diet I want to introduce you to are micronutrients.  Unlike their much bigger cousins’ macronutrients – carbs, proteins and fats – micronutrients are vitamins and minerals.

Minerals are the stable chemical compounds like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and potassium and the trace minerals like zinc, copper, iodine and selenium.  Vitamins are organic compounds which are generally not made in the body, we have to consume them through plants.  There are about 15 essential vitamins with a variety of letters and numbers which you are probably familiar with. 

Most of us are not getting all the necessary micronutrients from real foods that is needed for a mentally healthy brain!  In a recent US study, 94 % of the US population did not even meet the daily requirement for Vitamin D, 89% for Vitamin E, 52% for magnesium, 44% for calcium, 43% for Vitamin A and 39% for Vitamin C.   Could this be the reason why so many of us are struggling with depression and anxiety?

So what is it about these micronutrient little gems that is so key to our mental health?  Well, this is where it gets a little complex because it is about understanding a bit of brain chemistry.

Micronutrients are key to our brain being able to make neurotransmitters such as serotonin, you probably know as the ‘happy hormone’.  It’s the chemical that contributes to our feelings of wellbeing, stabilizes our mood and plays a role in regulating our sleep, learning, memory and appetite.   Without it, we feel depressed.

Micronutrients are also vital in assisting the mitochondria, or energy organelles of your cells to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle, produces ATP and is completely dependent on micronutrients to function.

Take a close look at how many micronutrients are involved in this cycle? Mind blowing.

But wait there’s more.

“In every organ of our body, including our brain, compounds or chemicals go through multiple conversions.  So from chemical A to chemical B.  It’s that simple.  And to make that conversion work, you need enzymes and cofactors.  Consider enzymes as the tools needed to assemble a car.  The enzymes are the tools used to build the car, but they are dependent upon having plenty of factory workers.  Without the workers, the assembly just won’t happen, but with more of them, assembly will go faster.  Minerals and vitamins are your factory workers.  So in other words, you need to feed your brain a steady supply of micronutrients to provide the co-factors needed for brain metabolism to happen.” (Rucklidge)

So let’s use our happy hormone as an example.  We need to consume the chemical tryptophan in order for it to convert into the neurotransmitter, serotonin.  And in order to make the conversation, we also need iron, phosphorus, calcium and vitamin B6.  For serotonin to breakdown we need niacin and riboflavin, as well as molybdenum.  Other steps required for the breakdown of tryptophan, requires calcium, potassium, iron, zinc, copper, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin.  So all up there are 11 micronutrients required for three steps in the chemical pathway of converting tryptophan to serotonin.  Complex isn’t it?  Makes you wonder what happens when one or more of these crucial ingredients is missing from our diet?  Is it no wonder so many of us are depressed when our diets are so poor?

These same types of complex metabolism processes are required to make all neurotransmitters. Dopamine, the pleasure hormone, which requires the amino acid tyrosine may have a role to play in the diagnosis of schizophrenia, ADHD and Parkinsons Disease.  GABA, the relaxing chemical, is responsible for slowing down the brain and central nervous system, creating a sense of calm, lowering anxiety and reducing mental and physical stress.  So the key message here is, we need a broad range of micronutrients in order to optimize brain metabolism and function, to operate at our physical and mental best.

So now you know why and how micronutrients are like gold for our mental health, you probably just want to know what specific foods you should be eating.  Well, here is one list.  It is considered to be the most micronutrient-rich anti-depressant foods, according to psychiatrists Laura LaChance and Drew Ramsey beginning with the most beneficial.

Animals Foods
Oyster
Liver and organ meats
Poultry giblets
Clam and muscles
Octopus
Crab
Goat
Tuna
Lobster
Rainbow Trout
Salmon
Herring
Emu
Snapper

Plant Foods
Watercress
Spinach
Mustard, turnip or beet greens
Lettuces
Swiss chard
Fresh herbs
Chicory greens
Pummelo
Peppers
Kale or collards
Pumpkin
Dandelion greens
Cauliflower
Kohlrabi
Red cabbage
Broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Paw Paw
Lemon
Strawberry

Other research has shown increasing foods high in tryptophan like milk, turkey, chicken and oats reduces depression risk, and maintains appropriate melatonin levels, which aids a good night’s sleep.

Research shows that the Mediterranean diet stacks up well against the criteria for better brain health, rich in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids.  How would your diet stack up?  Are there some small changes you could make to improve your mental health, decrease the impact of stress on your body or reduce depression and anxiety?

I look forward to sharing more resources with you as we explore the role of nutrition in mental health.  If a holistic approach to mental health appeals to you, then you may like to check out my services.

References: 

Antidepressant foods: An Evidence-Based nutrient profiling system for depression, Laura LaChance & Drew Ramsey, 2018

The role of Vitamins and Minerals in Energy Metabolism and Well-Being, S. Huskisson, S. Maggini & M. Ruf, 2007

The Better Brain: The New Science of Treating, Anxiety, Depression, ADHD and Other Mental Health Disorders With Nutrition, Bonnie J Kaplan & Julia J Rucklidge, 2021

Mental Health and Nutrition, edx course, University of Canterbury, J. Rucklidge

‘Numbness’ and the Battle of Holding onto Something I Care About

by with No Comment Children's voicesClient StoriesDepressionFeelings and EmotionsMental healthOutsider Witness opportunitiesYouth

I’ve been struggling with this thing I can only describe as ‘Numbness’.

Numbness can set in randomly for no reason at all.  Or if something happens that I feel sad about.  It can happen at home or at school.  It seems to like invading my weekends.

It’s like the light bulb goes out in me.   And I lose the thrill of doing anything.

Numbness can make me not feel anything.  I just feel tired and want to be alone in my room.  I’m even too tired to fight with my siblings.

Numbness takes away my motivation and makes me not want to do any of the stuff I really like.  It takes me away from being with my family. 

When numbness is around, I stop taking care of myself.  I stop showering.  Numbness is not something I can just wash off. 

Numbness throws me out of routine.  There’s no in between.  I either eat too little or eat too much, sleep too much or not enough.

It makes me lose all hope when it tries to tell me “Oh well, it is what it is”.  If I fail an assignment, no big deal.

There are things I try desperately to hold onto when I notice Numbness trying to take me away from the things I care about.  One of these things is LOGIC.  I can call on logical thinking to try to challenge the tricks and tactics of Numbness.

I like bingeing on my favourite TV shows.  This makes the light bulb really bright in me.  I feel happy and it influences me to do more of my favourite stuff.

Numbness has not been able to steal way my personality when it comes to kindness.  Even when I’m not at my best, I am still kind and friendly to others.  I still give a bright smile to people I care about.  I tell my friends to stay strong even when I am feeling worthless.  I know I’m a good person.  Even at my weakest, I still give advice to my friends, even if it’s a bit quicker than usual.  I will never say “I can’t help you”.  I believe it’s important to be friendly.  I hate the idea of making people sad for no reason.  If I snap at them, that hurts me.  I won’t let Numbness take away my goodness. 

If my favourite anime character Erza was fighting Numbness, she would never give up.  She is always thinking of her friends, she keeps fighting for them.  She reminds herself of what she is trying to protect.  She cares a lot about other people and gets strength from helping others.  There are moments when I feel accomplishment when I help other people.

I won’t go overboard trying to chew someone up.  That takes too much energy.  In the past one friend dragged the energy out of me.  When they are upset, I don’t put much energy in.  I don’t want to get drawn into their stuff.  I have to try to put boundaries in for myself. 

Erza wouldn’t let people walk all over her.  She would say “I’m not an inanimate object”.  She has good friends that don’t try to use her.  I want to be able to stand up for myself more.  If no-one is going to stand up for me, I need to do it for myself.  If there are people picking on me, I just ignore them and walk away.

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Balancing in the Boat: What helps me get out of the dark messy waters of Depression

by with No Comment Client StoriesDepressionMental healthNarrative therapy

In this reflection, our author shares the skills and knowledge she holds for managing depression. This story emerged after we read together the story of Ebony which was published by Sarah Penwarden in her work with young women at a New Zealand High School. The reflection begins with an excerpt from Ebony’s story, followed by our author’s story.

EBONY’S FIGHT WITH DEPRESSION – in which she holds onto what she’s learned and what she knows
After many years of depression Ebony knew depression quite well. It was familiar; it could suck you in.
Depression was like a well; a daunting, dark and gloomy well. It was made out of grey stone, and had sides to it. When she was at the bottom of the well, she couldn’t climb out of it.
Ebony learned that you’ve just got to stop yourself reaching the bottom of the well. She‘d also learn that others can help you up. Some people can do this without even realising it. She knew from experience that once you were in the well, it was very hard to climb back up. She could fall
back down the well by letting one thing get to her.
There were times when Ebony could see herself perched on the edge of the well, sitting on the top; feeling unsteady, swaying, waiting for one gust of wind to push her off balance. All she could do was to try to fall back instead of forward; back onto the grass, rather than forward into the well. Even though falling back would be difficult and painful, it would be better than falling into the well. It was all relative.
Up on the grass, she had people there to break her fall, people to support her. That was the advice she wanted to give herself: fall back instead of forward. It will eventually get better. The grass was soft and there was shorter to fall. She just needed the courage to fall back.
This was difficult because the well was very familiar, and falling backwards involved complete trust. There was something slightly welcoming to her about the well. There was so much comfort in the
depression. No-one else seemed to understand that. But down in the well she knew would become accustomed to being alone in a cold, dark place. It felt safe down there; no-one could harm her. But then she would look up and see something beautiful – a bird, a butterfly, someone’s face, and this would give her determination to climb up.

I recently heard Ebony’s ‘Fight with Depression’ story.  I really liked this story and I connected with her experience of depression being like falling into a dark and gloomy well.  I noticed how hard Ebony tried to ‘fall back instead of forward’ into the well because once she had fallen into the well it was very hard to climb back up.  This got me thinking about how ‘falling back’ requires a lot of trust.  Trust that people will be there for you.  For me, trust is when you know you have people behind you and you have a history of supporting each other.  If you support them, then you know they will be there for you when you need it.  I’ve been there supporting my brother in the past and I know he will be there for me.  For me this is having a good balance in the relationship.  Balance is important when trying to get out of the well of depression.  Without balance, you might fall in.

For me, depression lurks in the deep, dark water underneath my boat.  It makes me not care if I fall in or not. When I feel myself slowing dipping into the darkness, life feels bland and exhausting.  Its hard to see life being any different.  It takes away my motivation to live and I all I feel is pain.  Sitting on the edge of that boat, I feel like I’ve lost myself.

Depression makes you withdraw from relationships with people and with life.  It takes me away from doing my assignments and stuffs up my routine.  It pulls you down into the dark water and disrupts the balance.  It makes me not bothered to ask for help.

There are some things that help to keep me in the boat.

Friends distract me from falling in.  The best kind of friends are ones that are fun, easy to talk to and don’t push subjects onto you.  They might gently make suggestions like how to get better sleep.  They are looking out for me.  They include me in things.  They have a good balance of logic and emotion.  When I lack logic in my thinking or cannot connect with myself emotionally, they help me out.  They read me well.  These friends have good balanced lives.  They are not fussed about the future or the past; they help me stay in the present moment.  I appreciate that they are not self centred.

Depression has me wanting to keep my emotional and dark thoughts to myself.  I’ve learnt that its healthier to project these thoughts onto other people like counsellors.  I also know I can talk to my brother.  I know that he has dealt with his own depressing emotions before.  We have dealt with tough situations together in the past and have been able to get things off our chest.  We developed a bond.  So recently when I found myself in the dark depressing waters, my mum got him on the phone.  My brother doesn’t undermine a problem.  He thinks all problems are on the same level, none is more important than another.  So even if my problems are different to his, he still values my experience.  That’s where trust comes in.  I can ‘fall back’ and trust my brother to be there for me.

Opportunity to be an Outsider Witness to this story

After reading this story, we invite you to write a message to send back to the author.  Here are some questions to guide your response.

  1. As you read this story, were there any words or phrases that caught your attention?  Which ones?
  2. When you read these words, what pictures came to your mind about the authors hopes for her life and what is important to her (ie. dreams, values and beliefs)?  Can you describe that picture?
  3. Is there something about your own life that helps you connect with this part of the story?  Can you share a story from your own experience that shows why this part of the story meant something to you?
  4. So what does it mean for you now, having read this story?  How have you been moved?  Where has this experience taken you to?

Please contact us with your response and we will forward your message to the author of this story.