Harnessing Happiness
You may be feeling the intensity of this Tower moment happening in our country and the world. These uncertain times can be overwhelming, and it’s the perfect time to seek support to navigate them. Many of you know that I offer 1:1 and community support, but I also love connecting people with resources to empower them to trust themselves and embrace the natural ups and downs of life.
Herbal remedies have been used for centuries across the globe to enhance mood, alleviate depression and anxiety, and provide an overall sense of well-being. In recent history, particularly in Western societies, there has been a shift away from traditional herbal remedies toward prescription medications. However, Nature specializes in herbs that help us feel good—plain and simple. There are countless plant-based powerhouses with natural compounds that can elevate our mood, relax our minds, and bring us into a state of blissful balance.
Long before pharmaceutical corporations began producing and marketing prescription antidepressants in the 1940s, tribal cultures had already discovered countless natural solutions for mental health concerns—right from the earth. People have relied on plant-based medicines like St. John’s Wort, Albizzia, and Mucuna Pruriens for centuries to ease symptoms of depression and emotional distress.
One of the challenges with depression is that it often goes unrecognized or ignored. In fact, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that "clinical depression remains the most under-diagnosed condition." Symptoms of depression can often be vague or masked by denial, guilt, or shame. According to the NIH, some key symptoms include:
Persistent sad or "empty" mood
Loss of pleasure in ordinary activities, including sex
Sleep disturbances (insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping)
Eating disturbances (loss of appetite and weight or weight gain)
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
Thoughts of death or suicide, suicide attempts
Irritability
Excessive crying
Chronic aches and pains that don’t respond to treatment
The key here is that while one or more of these symptoms are a normal part of life’s "ups and downs," a diagnosis of clinical depression must be based on the totality of symptoms—their intensity, duration, and frequency. The NIH recommends a diagnosis when four or more of these symptoms persist for more than two weeks and significantly interfere with work or family life.
This raises an important question: Why is at least 25% of the U.S. population on psychiatric medications? Could it be that many of these feelings stem from factors such as:
Eating unhealthy and GMO foods
Living in toxic environments
An impersonal, technology-driven lifestyle that lacks a sense of community
A lack of self-care and nurturing (no TLC)
Before diving deeper into these possibilities, let’s explore how our plant allies can support us on this journey to emotional and mental well-being.
"In another German study on 3,250 patients (76% women and 24% men), recorded by 663 private practitioners, the proportion of improvement in depressive and secondary physical symptoms (ranging from fatigue, cardiac, digestive and sleep disorders, to generalized pains) is similar to the previous studies with about 80% of all patients feeling better and only 15% unchanged or worse when asked an overall judgment. In these studies hypericum extracts were significantly superior to placebo and similarly effective as standard antidepressants (about 80%) with significantly fewer side effects than standard antidepressant drugs."
"Antidepressants are generally among the safest of prescription medications, the most common side effects however, include decreased sexual desire or function, dry mouth, nausea, tiredness, restlessness, and negative interactions with alcohol or other drugs. Of all of these, the most experientially disturbing is the lessening of sexual desire. For those seeking relief from their depression without becoming an unwillingly celibate, St. John’s Wort offers a pleasurable and welcome natural alternative. Its not hard to understand why in Germany, a highly developed country that requires its medically trained doctors to study and practice herbal medicine as phytotherapy, hypericum is being used as the treatment of choice for more than 50% of depression cases compared to only 2% who are given Prozac?"
Seratonin-rich, St Johns Wort
Extensive scientific research, particularly from Germany, highlights the efficacy of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in treating depression and anxiety. In Germany alone, approximately 3 million prescriptions are written annually for hypericum, with nearly 66 million doses consumed each year. This ancient botanical—long favored by herbalists throughout history—is now gaining recognition in North America as a natural alternative for managing depression, nervous anxiety, and sleep disorders.
To date, numerous case studies and drug monitoring trials involving over 5,000 patients have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of standardized St. John’s Wort preparations. Additionally, 23 controlled, double-blind studies—including more than 1,757 patients—have been conducted. Among these, 16 studies compared hypericum with a placebo, while 9 evaluated its effectiveness against standard pharmaceutical treatments, such as Imipramine, Amitriptyline, Maprotiline, Desipramine, Diazepam, and even light therapy.
Findings from these studies reveal a general clinical improvement ranging from 50% to 80% in both primary depressive symptoms—such as low mood, anxiety, loss of interest, and feelings of worthlessness—as well as secondary symptoms like sleep disturbances, lack of concentration, and fatigue. Remarkably, the results indicate that the effectiveness of St. John’s Wort is comparable to that of low-to-medium-dose synthetic antidepressants, offering a natural and well-tolerated alternative for those seeking holistic mental health support.
Ashwagandha: Nature’s Ultimate Stress Reliever >
In today’s fast-paced world, stress, anxiety, and fatigue have become all too common. But what if there was a natural way to restore balance, boost resilience, and uplift your mood—without side effects or dependency? My go to plant is Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), a powerful adaptogen known for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine. This remarkable herb helps the body adapt to stress, supports emotional well-being, and enhances overall vitality.
Unlike conventional antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, ashwagandha works holistically—stabilizing mood, improving sleep, and even helping to regulate hormones. Whether you're facing chronic stress, mental exhaustion, or simply seeking a natural way to enhance your well-being, ashwagandha could be the key to feeling more grounded, energized, and at peace.
Taken daily, ashwagandha can significantly lower cortisol levels, reduce stress and anxiety, and alleviate depressive symptoms. Unlike standard anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs, it naturally stabilizes mood, relieves insomnia, and revitalizes the body—without side effects or withdrawal symptoms. Additionally, it helps manage weight and curb food cravings in individuals experiencing chronic stress. For optimal results, 3–6 grams of ashwagandha root powder is recommended daily, though it’s best to consult with an Ayurvedic doctor before starting.
Clinical studies on both animals and humans have found that ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Indian ginseng, acts as an adaptogen—helping the body adapt to stress more efficiently. This powerful herb has proven to be invaluable in treating various central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, and chronic stress. It has also been studied for its mood-stabilizing effects, its role in hormone regulation, and its ability to improve sleep and emotional well-being.
Ashwagandha's stress-reducing properties are remarkable. In a study on individuals suffering from chronic stress, ashwagandha root reduced cortisol levels by 28% in just two months. Participants not only experienced a reduction in stress symptoms but, in some cases, even prevented stress from taking hold altogether.
With the widespread use of antidepressant medications in the Western world—and their increasingly recognized adverse effects—it’s reassuring to know that nature offers a safer, more effective alternative, often growing closer than we realize. And I hope that more people begin to conenct with the Earth and all it has to offer us naturally.
The Power of Creation & Support
If you’re feeling disconnected from your heart’s path or struggling to align with your purpose—whether due to life transitions or inner blocks—know that you don’t have to navigate it alone. I’m here to support you in clearing the way, helping you reconnect with your vision and step into clarity.
You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. Let’s walk this path of discovery together.
Find out more or book a 1:1 session with me.
xx—Amy
Mimosa Tree: Nature’s Herbal Prozac
The flowers and bark of the mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) have long been revered in Chinese medicine for their ability to ease anxiety, reduce stress, and uplift the spirit. The Tree of Eternal Happiness, Albizzia is often referred to by herbalists and acupuncturists as "herbal Prozac," this powerful botanical has been used for centuries to support emotional well-being. Its benefits were first documented in the Shen Nong Ben Cao (Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Materia Medica) during the 2nd century, where it was recognized for its calming, mood-enhancing, and tonic properties. Traditionally, it has been recommended for those experiencing deep grief or emotional trauma.
In Oriental traditional medicine, both the bark and flowers of Albizia are valued as natural sedatives. The bark is believed to "anchor" the spirit, providing grounding and stability, while the flowers are thought to "lighten" the spirit, promoting a sense of ease and joy. Beyond its emotional benefits, mimosa flowers have also been used to treat insomnia, amnesia, sore throat, confusion, and symptoms of depression and melancholy (Kang et al.).
Whether used for its calming effects or as a support for emotional healing, the mimosa tree stands as a powerful ally for restoring balance and inner peace.
Happiness Is An Inside Job
Our Happiness tonic is everything you need to feel at peace. It contains herbs traditionally used to help stabilize hormone function, serotonin and dopamine, as well as provide a soothing effect on the nervous system. Our formula is a mix of adaptogens, such as Rhodiola and Ashwagandha, with powerfully supporting “happy herbs” like St. John’s Wort, Mucuna and Albizia. These herbs together create a synergistic powerhouse that can help relieve stress, anxiety, and mood slumps.
I love this tonic I have communed with it’s medicine when I feel challenged or stuck. It’s great for when you r system is stressed.
Key Benefits:
Mucuna is a neuroprotective and antioxidant rich, known to elevate mood* [R]
Albizia may help to ease depression symptoms* [R]
Rhodiola supports cognition and balanced mood while helping to relieve anxiety* [R]
Ashwagandha can help relieve insomnia and anxiety while promoting cognition and energy* [R]
St. John's Wort supports a calm and joyful state of mind* [R]
To learn more about this powerful tonic.
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
