How to Find an Herb for Moodiness

If moodiness interferes with your ability to deal with daily tasks and smoothly interact with people around you, you'll want to investigate ways to overcome your emotional swings. Many people opt for herbal remedies that are readily available without a prescription. Most of these remedies are relatively inexpensive, and some can be self-prescribed after a little research. However, take the time to make sure you are taking the right herb for you.

Instructions

• 1

  Define your symptoms specifically. Notice if your moodiness seems related to a specific situation or person or if it is more pervasive. Observe if your mood shifts occur after consuming alcohol, caffeine, any other substance or even food. Write down your observations: whether you experience insomnia, periods of depression or bouts of anger. Also, notice the timing of your moodiness, if it occurs more at certain times or day or, for women, times of the month.

• 2

  Research herbal treatments designed for moodiness. Do your research either online or with books. If using the Internet, seek out informational websites rather than those that sell products. Find an herb that benefits people dealing with your specific set of symptoms. Make note of whether the herb should be taken in tincture or tea form, how often to take it, whether it works best in conjunction with other herbs, and whether it conflicts with medications or other herbs you may be taking. Also, read to find out whether the herb works best if taken at a certain time of day, such as right before bed.

• 3

  Buy the herb at a local store or online.

• 4

  Take the herb following the advice you learned in your research. Allow time for the herb to take effect. Some herbs can take a while to work. For example, St. John's Wort, often recommended for depression and mood swings, may take as much as six weeks to work.

• 5

  Consult an expert. Sometimes moodiness is the symptom of an underlying imbalance. Systems of holistic health, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and ayurveda, examine the patient's entire body-mind and try to identify an underlying imbalance which may be corrected through herbs, dietary changes and (in the case of TCM) acupuncture.