Feeling Low? My Natural Remedies for Depression, Anxiety, and Emotional Healing
Let’s talk about something real: those low days, when everything feels heavy and overwhelming. Whether it's emotional burnout, seasonal depression, hormonal mood swings, or just a rough patch—I've been there. In fact, I’m there right now. And instead of hiding it, I’m sharing it—because women over 40 deserve honest conversations about emotional health.
Recognizing the Signs of Emotional Overload
Sometimes it sneaks up on you. One day you're fine, and the next you’re dealing with anxiety, sadness, and fatigue. Relationships, work stress, or hormonal changes during perimenopause or menopause can throw your emotional balance out of whack.
That’s when I know it’s time to pull out the natural tools I’ve come to rely on—no side effects, no chemicals, just gentle, holistic healing.
The Chocolate Crutch (And How I Broke It)
Recently, I found myself reaching for a HU chocolate bar every single day after lunch. It started as a comfort but quickly became a habit. Emotional eating is real—and while I believe in balance, I knew I had to reset. So I swapped my chocolate for something soothing but healthy: a warm chicory root drink with raw organic milk and a touch of stevia.
But it’s different for everyone. Choose something you like.
🌿 TIP: Replace emotional eating triggers with healthier comfort rituals like herbal teas, adaptogen drinks, or even a walk outdoors.
Step One: Emotional Rescue with Flower Essences
Before I can even think about food swaps or self-care routines, I turn to flower essences—my go-to for emotional support and natural mood regulation.
Unlike essential oils or herbs, flower essences work on an energetic level, gently shifting your emotional patterns without altering brain chemistry or causing side effects.
My Go-To Remedies:
Willow (Bach Flower): For when I'm feeling resentful or sorry for myself.
Rescue Remedy: A powerful blend of five flower essences to manage stress, fear, trauma, and emotional overload.
These are the ones that work for me but it all depends what your emotions behind your state are. Take a look at the bottom of the page to see all of the Bach Remedies and pick te ones you think you need.
What’s in Rescue Remedy?
Rock Rose – For extreme fear or panic
Impatiens – For impatience and irritability
Clematis – For disconnection and mental fog
Star of Bethlehem – For emotional trauma and shock
Cherry Plum – For fear of losing control
🧠 How to Take Flower Essences for Depression and Anxiety Relief
Add 4 drops of Rescue Remedy (and 2 of Willow) to a glass or flask of water and sip throughout the day. Repeat daily until you feel emotionally balanced again. I usually feel a shift in 1-2 days but continue for a week or two or longer during high-stress periods. No harm at all to take them for longer.
As long as I choose the right ones I will feel the difference. If you take the wrong ones it won’t harm you in any way it just won’t do anything.
Why Flower Essences Work (Even If You’re Skeptical)
Energetic Healing: They work on your emotional energy field, gently aligning imbalances.
No Side Effects: If you choose the wrong one, nothing happens. If you choose the right one, you feel a subtle but real emotional shift.
Safe and Gentle: No interactions with medications or supplements.
They work on animals and children. Some farmers use them during lambing season on the sheep and baby lambs that are orphans.
Must-Have Supplements for Mental and Emotional Health
🧠 B-Complex Vitamins: Natural Mood Boosters
A high-quality B-complex supplement is a game-changer for managing stress, anxiety, and depression—especially for women in midlife.
Benefits:
Boosts serotonin, dopamine, and GABA for improved mood
Reduces stress and anxiety by regulating cortisol
Fights fatigue and low motivation
Supports emotional balance during hormonal changes
Key B-Vitamins for Mental Health:
B6, B9, B12 – Support neurotransmitter function and emotional stability
B1, B3, B5 – Enhance energy and nervous system resilience
B2 – Supports adrenal function and homocysteine balance
☀️ Vitamin D3 + K2: Sunshine for the Soul
Did you know that vitamin D deficiency is linked to depression, anxiety, and brain fog?
Why You Need D3 with K2:
D3 boosts serotonin, reduces brain inflammation, and supports mood
K2 ensures calcium goes to bones (not arteries), improving cardiovascular and brain health
Liposomal forms increase absorption dramatically
How to Use:
Take 2000–5000 IU of D3 daily + 100–200 mcg of K2 (MK-7 form)
Choose a liposomal formula for best results
Get daily sunlight for natural vitamin D production
🌈5-HTP
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a natural compound your body makes from the amino acid tryptophan. It’s a direct precursor to serotonin, the brain’s "happy chemical"—aka your natural mood stabilizer, sleep helper, and emotional soother.
You can also get it from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia, commonly used in supplements.
Top 5 Proven Benefits of 5-HTP
1. Improves Mood & Fights Depression
Several clinical studies show that 5-HTP is effective for mild to moderate depression, often comparable to SSRIs—but with fewer side effects.
👉 Study: A 1991 double-blind trial found 5-HTP as effective as fluvoxamine in treating depression.
2. Supports Anxiety Relief
It may reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety by boosting serotonin and calming the nervous system.
👉 Study: Research suggests 5-HTP may reduce panic attacks and social anxiety in sensitive individuals.
3. Promotes Better Sleep
5-HTP converts to serotonin and then to melatonin—your sleep hormone. Great for those struggling with menopause-related insomnia or nighttime anxiety.
4. Reduces Emotional Eating & Sugar Cravings
5-HTP has been shown to reduce carb cravings and emotional bingeing by balancing appetite hormones and soothing stress.
👉 Study: A 1992 trial found reduced calorie intake and weight loss in overweight women using 5-HTP.
5. Helps with Fibromyalgia Symptoms
Studies show 5-HTP may ease fibromyalgia symptoms like chronic pain, fatigue, and poor sleep—conditions often coexisting with low mood.
👉 Study: A 1990 study saw significant improvement in fibromyalgia patients taking 5-HTP.
⚠️ A Few Notes of Caution
Don’t mix with SSRIs, SNRIs, or MAOIs. Combining them can cause serotonin syndrome (too much serotonin = bad).
May cause nausea in some people (start with low doses).
Not ideal during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
✨ Final Takeaway:
5-HTP is a powerful, natural serotonin booster that may lift your mood, calm your cravings, and help you sleep better. Especially helpful for menopausal mood swings and emotional turbulence—just check with your healthcare provider before diving in.
🌿 Best Adaptogenic Herbs for Depression, Anxiety, and Hormonal Mood Swings
If you're feeling emotionally drained, mentally foggy, or stuck in a cycle of low moods and stress, adaptogenic herbs may offer the natural support you need. These powerful plants help your body adapt to stress and restore balance—physically, emotionally, and hormonally. I used to take Maca. Now at 58 I find Ashwaganda more helpful.
Here are the top adaptogens for depression, emotional fatigue, and mood balance, especially for women navigating perimenopause, menopause, or chronic stress.
1. 🌸 Rhodiola Rosea – Best Adaptogen for Energy and Depression Relief
Benefits: Boosts serotonin and dopamine, enhances focus, and reduces symptoms of mild to moderate depression.
Why It Works: Rhodiola is a natural antidepressant that helps regulate stress hormones and improves resilience to emotional burnout.
Great For: Seasonal depression (SAD), adrenal fatigue, low energy, and stress-induced mood swings.
Best adaptogen for fatigue and depression, natural antidepressant and mood booster.
2. 🌿 Ashwagandha – Best for Stress-Induced Depression and Anxiety
Benefits: Lowers cortisol, eases anxiety, supports emotional stability, and balances hormones naturally.
Why It Works: Ashwagandha calms the nervous system and supports adrenal function—making it perfect for people experiencing chronic stress or hormonal depression.
Great For: Anxiety with depression, sleep problems, irritability during perimenopause.
Best for depression, adaptogen for cortisol, menopause mood support.
3. 🌱 Holy Basil (Tulsi) – Gentle Uplift for Emotional Imbalance
Benefits: Promotes mental clarity, soothes anxiety, and supports emotional well-being.
Why It Works: Tulsi is an adaptogen that reduces brain inflammation and enhances emotional resilience without overstimulating.
Great For: Mood swings, emotional sensitivity, spiritual fatigue, and brain fog.
Best for stress, natural mood stabilizer and anxiety.
4. 🌾 Eleuthero (Siberian Ginseng) – Best for Burnout and Low Motivation
Benefits: Increases stamina, focus, and mental performance.
Why It Works: Eleuthero supports the adrenal system and boosts your body’s ability to handle both physical and mental stress.
Great For: Fatigue-heavy depression, brain fog, and low resilience during midlife.
Best for energy, depression, and burnout.
5. 🌺 Maca Root – Best Adaptogen for Hormonal Depression in Women
Benefits: Balances estrogen and progesterone, improves mood, and boosts libido and vitality.
Why It Works: Maca root is a hormone-balancing adaptogen ideal for PMS, perimenopause, or menopause-related mood disorders.
Great For: Emotional ups and downs tied to hormonal fluctuations, especially in women over 40.
Best for mood swings, hormonal depression remedy, natural menopause support.
🧠 Which Adaptogen Is Right for You?
Symptom Best Adaptogen
Chronic stress & anxiety Ashwagandha
Hormonal mood swings Maca Root
Fatigue and burnout Rhodiola Rosea or Eleuthero
Emotional instability Holy Basil
Low libido with depression Maca Root
Two non adaptogenic herbs I have to talk about
🌼 Saffron for Depression: The Golden Mood Booster You Didn’t Know You Needed
Saffron isn’t just a fancy (and slightly expensive) spice for your risotto—it’s also a powerful natural antidepressant. Derived from the Crocus sativus flower, saffron has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and is now getting serious attention in modern mood research.
Top 5 Proven Benefits of Saffron for Depression
1. Boosts Serotonin (Hello, Happy Brain!)
Saffron has compounds—crocin and safranal—that help boost serotonin levels, which can reduce symptoms of mild to moderate depression.
2. As Effective as Antidepressants (Seriously!)
Multiple clinical studies have shown saffron to be just as effective as SSRIs like fluoxetine (Prozac)—with fewer side effects.
👉 Study: A 2014 meta-analysis found saffron significantly reduced depression symptoms compared to placebo.
3. Helps with PMS and Mood Swings
Feeling moody, irritable, or weepy? Saffron may reduce emotional PMS symptoms and hormone-related low moods.
4. Calms Anxiety and Supports Sleep
Saffron’s gentle mood-lifting action also helps take the edge off anxiety and may support better sleep quality.
5. Rich in Antioxidants
Mood and brain health love antioxidants—and saffron brings them in gold-plated style. These protect brain cells and support emotional resilience.
⚠️ Things to Know
Start small—around 30 mg/day in supplement form is often studied.
Too much saffron (in very high doses) can be toxic—so follow supplement guidelines.
Safe for most, but check with your doc if you're pregnant or on medications.
🌟 Final Sprinkle:
Saffron isn’t just a kitchen diva—it’s a natural mood-lifter with serious science-backed sparkle. Great for depression, emotional PMS, and menopausal mood dips. Think of it as golden sunshine in a capsule.
🌼 St. John's Wort for Depression: The Good, The Bad & The Sunny
☀️ The Bright Side – Benefits of St. John’s Wort
Mood Booster Extraordinaire
St. John’s Wort is like nature’s little sunshine pill—shown to be as effective as some antidepressants for mild to moderate depression.Balances Brain Chemistry
It helps your brain naturally increase serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine—the feel-good neurotransmitters that often get sluggish when you’re feeling down.Energy + Motivation Helper
Feeling blah or unmotivated? St. John’s Wort can give your mental clarity and energy a gentle lift—without the jitters.Plant Power with History
Used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine for low mood, anxiety, and seasonal sadness. This one’s been around the apothecary block.
🌥️ The Cloudy Side – Cons to Know
Interacts With EVERYTHING
Birth control, SSRIs, blood thinners—you name it. St. John’s Wort is a chatty Cathy in the body and messes with tons of medications.
→ Always check with your doctor!Sun Sensitivity
Can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays (sunburn alert! especially for fair skin). Maybe skip the beach day.Not for Severe Depression
Works best for mild to moderate mood dips—not major depressive disorder.
Final Word:
St. John's Wort is a sunshine-filled option if you’re dealing with mild depression or mood swings—especially when you’re not on other meds. in one go. But like with all strong herbs, respect its power. Not advised to take for more than 12 weeks in one go.
Final Thoughts: Natural Support for Emotional Health
Low moods are part of being human—but you don’t have to stay stuck there. With the right tools—whether it’s Bach flower essences, B-complex vitamins, adaptogenic herbs or vitamin D3 + K2—you can gently shift your state and support your emotional well-being naturally.
These remedies have helped me bounce back from feeling stuck, sad, or overwhelmed—and they can help you too.
💡 More Resources:
Want to learn which flower essence matches your current emotion? Scroll down to see the full Bach Remedies list and find your perfect match.
Here’s a quick description of each Bach flower remedy and the emotions they help with:
Agrimony – For those who hide worries behind a cheerful mask; helps with inner peace.
Aspen – For vague, unknown fears and anxiety; brings inner security.
Beech – For critical, intolerant attitudes; fosters understanding and compassion.
Centaury – For people-pleasers who struggle to say no; encourages self-assertion.
Cerato – For those who doubt their own judgment; builds inner confidence.
Cherry Plum – For fear of losing control; restores emotional balance.
Chestnut Bud – For repeating mistakes and not learning from experiences; enhances awareness.
Chicory – For overprotective, possessive love; nurtures selfless giving.
Clematis – For dreamers who lack focus in the present; promotes grounded awareness.
Crab Apple – For self-disgust and feeling unclean; aids in self-acceptance.
Elm – For overwhelm from responsibility; restores confidence and capability.
Gentian – For discouragement after setbacks; brings perseverance.
Gorse – For deep hopelessness and despair; renews optimism.
Heather – For self-centeredness and neediness; encourages empathy and connection.
Holly – For jealousy, hatred, and anger; fosters love and understanding.
Honeysuckle – For living in the past and nostalgia; helps embrace the present.
Hornbeam – For mental fatigue and procrastination; boosts energy and motivation.
Impatiens – For irritability and impatience; promotes calm and tolerance.
Larch – For lack of confidence and fear of failure; builds self-assurance.
Mimulus – For known fears (heights, public speaking, etc.); instills courage.
Mustard – For deep, unexplainable sadness; restores inner light and joy.
Oak – For tireless overworkers who never give up; teaches balance and self-care.
Olive – For complete exhaustion and burnout; replenishes vitality.
Pine – For guilt and self-blame; encourages self-forgiveness.
Red Chestnut – For excessive worry about loved ones; fosters trust and calm.
Rock Rose – For terror and panic; instills bravery and calm.
Rock Water – For self-denial and rigidity; promotes flexibility and self-kindness.
Scleranthus – For indecision and uncertainty; enhances clarity and decisiveness.
Star of Bethlehem – For trauma and grief; brings comfort and healing.
Sweet Chestnut – For extreme anguish and despair; restores hope.
Vervain – For overenthusiasm and stress from overcommitment; encourages relaxation.
Vine – For dominant, controlling personalities; nurtures wise leadership.
Walnut – For life transitions and outside influences; strengthens adaptability.
Water Violet – For aloofness and isolation; fosters connection and warmth.
White Chestnut – For racing, obsessive thoughts; brings mental peace.
Wild Oat – For uncertainty about life’s purpose; provides direction and fulfillment.
Wild Rose – For apathy and resignation; restores enthusiasm for life.
Willow – For bitterness and self-pity; cultivates forgiveness and positivity.
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Helpful links:
https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6882-9-16/tables/1
https://www.natureswish.co.uk/shop/flower-essences