Newbie Herbs questions

Hi all!

This is my first post here. I searched for Herbs forums and found this place! I’m looking for help with basics if taking Herbs as medicinal purpose.

I’ve battled with depression, anxiety/stress, muscle tensions for 14 years. Been on many of different medications antidepressant etc during the years, and currently taking a low dose of Cymbalta.

I hope to find some relief from herbs especially against anxiety, stress.. I’ve tried Ashwagandha but suspect it can interfere with my thyroid. I will have that tested next week to confirm it’s not hyperthyroidism.

Other herbs I just order is holy basil (capsule extract), lemon balm (tincture from herb pharm), mix of valerian and hops (capsules)

What form is best to look for? Is it difference between tincture, tea, extract etc?

Which brands are good to use?

Are there any good professional herbalists that to you can recommend I work with?

Thanks!
Andre

Hi Andre, welcome to Permies. The herbs you’ve ordered will help you relax and sleep better. That’s a great start. Lemon balm can cheer you up, have you looked into StJohn’s worth? I take it for the winterblues. But with herbs i find different things work for different people. For serious depression it i would advice to seek help and take these drastic pharmaceuticals to drag you out. But then when you feel it coming up in the slightest immediately switch to your herbal favorite. Which you have to still look for. If you take it soon, you stay energetic and positive enough not to get sucked into the negative spiral depression is.
Being outside, active in nature with animals, around children and friends will help as well. Eating a lot of green stuff preferably biological and no meat of industrial origin will help keeping energized. Not too much coffee, but drink teas. All these things combined will make you stronger and tire you out in the day, which helps with a good night sleep as well.
I try to find my valerian and st John in nature. Hops i made a tincture which works great. Valerian tincture. If you can get tinctures, they just last longer. The alcohol keeps it clean of bacteria i guess.
I’m not a phyto therapist but bought a book by one. For muscles try an oil infused in rosemary or lavender.

I made a tincture out of Motherwort and it works well for my wife and I, especially when feeling depressed/ anxious. It grows wild here and was our first tincture. Making the tincture was easier than I assumed it would be. Also, every time I look at it I’m reminded that I can accomplish stuff (that’s a nice hit of dopamine in itself).

I have had pretty bad back issues for half my life (nerve related?) as well as sore muscles from my job. I made a comfrey oil and mixed it with bee wax to make a creamy salve.. or a salveycream with some peppermint oil for that cool burn effect. Either way- I swear by it now. Might be worth talking to someone who knows a lot more than me about it for your muscle stuff.


Hope you find something that works for you!

Andy, that reminds me to make a peppermint oil. Rosemary salve is great for muscles too. Opens capillaries and gets rid of waste.