Best Herbs to Ease Depression & Sadness

Nature’s remedies for a heavy heart

When life feels heavy, I’ve always found that connecting with nature can help me to shift my mood. Sometimes it lightens it and other times it simply helps me sit with my emotions so I can understand them better. Whether it’s the sound of the waves near the ocean, the scent of pine trees on a walk, or watching the sky change color — each of these small moments remind me that the Earth holds us and wants to care for us, too.

What many people don’t realize is that herbs are an extension of this same medicine. Just as time outdoors helps lower stress hormones, balance the nervous system, and increase serotonin, bringing herbs into the body allows us to ingest that connection directly.

A warm cup of tea, a tincture under the tongue, or even the simple ritual of aromatherapy can carry the calming, uplifting qualities of plants right into our system. Herbs certainly don’t erase sadness, but they can support both our body and heart as we move through it.

Why Nature Helps Our Emotions

Research shows us that time in nature lowers cortisol (the stress hormone), boosts serotonin, and helps regulate the nervous system. This is why even a few minutes outside can feel like a reset.

When we ingest herbs, we’re essentially inviting the vitality of nature inward. Their compounds interact with our nervous system, hormones, and circulation, offering the same calming and balancing influence we feel outdoors. Herbs are nature we can sip, swallow, and absorb.

My Go-To Herbs for Easing Sadness

Hawthorn: Strength for the Heart

Eases tension in the head and neck

Known as a cardiovascular tonic, hawthorn is equally cherished as supporting our emotional health. It strengthens and steadies the heart, helping us move through grief or heartache with more ease.

How I use it: A tincture taken daily, often paired with rose for emotional healing.

Milky Oats: Nourishment for the Nervous System

Fresh milky oats are like food for frazzled nerves. Herbalists love to recommend them because they actually help to rebuild the nervous system over time. Perfect for exhaustion, burnout, or that “empty” feeling after stress.

How I use it: A tincture taken consistently over weeks for long-term support.

St. John’s Wort: Uplifting the Spirit

This bright yellow flower has long been used to ease mild to moderate depression. Modern studies echo its traditional reputation for lifting mood and easing depression symptoms.

Important note: St. John’s Wort interacts with many medications. Always check with a professional before use.

How I use it: Tincture or capsules, taken under professional guidance.

Lemon Balm: Gentle Calm

With its citrusy scent and flavor, lemon balm is known to be super uplifting. It calms anxious thoughts, soothes restlessness, and uplifts mood.

How I use it: Fresh or dried tea in the evening, often blended with lavender or chamomile.

Lavender: Rest & Release

Loved and well-known worldwide, lavender helps ease tension, irritability, and sleeplessness. Its aroma signals to the body and mind that it’s safe to relax.

How I use it: Tea before bed, essential oil roll on or diffuser, or sprinkled in a warm bath to encourage deep resting.

"Connect" Aromatherapy Roll On (Intuitive Belonging)

Buy Now

A Personal Note on Healing

Herbs alone can’t carry us through every season of sadness — but they can be steady companions along the way. I believe in combining their support with connection: talking with loved ones, seeking therapy, or simply reaching out when the weight feels like too much.

There is strength in asking for help and I admire anyone who does.

Safety & Disclaimer

This blog is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Herbs can interact with medications and may not be appropriate for everyone. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new herbal regimen, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a medical condition.

Sources

• Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press. 

  ➤ Comprehensive reference on how herbs interact with the body’s systems, including mood and nervous system support.

• Winston, D., & Maimes, S. (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Healing Arts Press. 

  ➤ Explains how herbs like St. John’s Wort and milky oats can help balance stress and emotional health.

• Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. DK Publishing.

 ➤ Overview of medicinal uses of common herbs such as hawthorn, lavender, and lemon balm.