HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2016
January...new beginnings...stillness...dark...dreaming
Greetings and Happy 2016!

In this month's newsletter...Beating the Winter Blahs...
Herbal Allies  Level 1...Earth & Ocean has a new website!!!




January...a time of introspection and dreaming.  Holidays are over, the tree is down and decorations tucked away. The days are cold and dark, and we wait patiently for the seed catalogs to arrive. For some, myself included, the dreaded winter blues makes it's annual appearance.  Oh yes, been there...done that. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects more than 3 million people,  sometimes beginning as early as late fall. Common symptoms include fatigue, depression, hopelessness and social withdrawal. This temporary down in the winter dumps is attributed to a decrease in daylight which  can subsequently cause a disruption in the body's natural rhythm affecting our seratonin levels.

Being one of those 3 million bluesy bodies every winter, I have come around to finding some ways to BEATING THE WINTER BLAHS! Some things that  help move the energy... get outside...walk,  ice skate, ski...just get outside! Look for plants under the fallen leaves. In January you will find wintergreen and pippsissewa. Sometimes even chickweed. Eat well, incorporating nourishing, warm  soups. Consider herbs and supplements. Some of the best are:   St. John's Wort . A commonly recommended herb for mild depression, it's sunny disposition will lift your spirits. Recommended dosage is 900 mg a day.  It does take a few weeks for effects to be recognized, so be patient. Also it  should not be taken if you are on an MAO inhibitor. Another...my favorite herb for the blues, Holy Basil. Considered an adaptogen, my  experience is a gentle lifting and clearing of a foggy perspective. Holy Basil is often accompanied by a bit of Lemon Balm, an herb in the nervine family useful for focus, calming and stress. 

In the supplement arena,  D is the sunshine vitamin. Due to the dark days, we tend to be D deficient. The virtues of Vitamin D are many, and critical to our immune health, as well as our mental wellness.  Additionally, Omega 3 supplementation can be a great value. Feeding our brain, which is primarily made of fatty tissue, with good healthy fats such as those in a high quality Omega 3 product, may be helpful in maintaining healthy emotional balance. 

So go plan the garden...dream of spring...take a vacation someplace warm...eat soup...and use some herbs.  Here's a "Beat the Blues" tea recipe from my collection:

1 part lemon balm
1/2 part nettle
1/2 part oat seed
1/2 part roses
1/4 part peppermint

Mix altogether, place 1 tbsp in tea ball. Pour boiling water into cup over tea ball
 and let infuse for 10 mins.  



HERBAL ALLIES - LEVEL 1

Spring 2016 a new group will form, bringing together a love of the plants and a joy for learning. Together we will move through spring, summer and fall, observing, gathering, medicine making. Join us on this journey as we celebrate the green beings. They are anticipating our arrival! 

THIS GROUP HAS FILLED  QUICKLY AND THERE IS NOW LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE. THERE IS A CAP OF TEN PARTICIPANTS. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, PLEASE CONTACT SOON IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF THIS HERBAL PROGRAM.  Here is the link  with all details.





* **THE OFFICIAL EARTH & OCEAN WEBSITE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED!***

Yes, it is a fact. Check it out at www.earthoceanherbals.com.  Lots of information and pictures regarding the Earth & Ocean journey,  Herbal Allies program, wellness services and Orabelle..Naturally Simple Skincare . Coming soon...a blog of herbal and other musings. 



***AND TO WRAP IT UP***

I will be offering a free talk 
 Winter Wellness...Beating the Winter Blues and Immune Support
Tuesday, January 19, 6:30 
 Back to Basics on Main St. in East Greenwich
Call  401-884-2679 in advance to register

Earth & Ocean Herbals and Wellness | susan.e.clements@gmail.com| 
401-369-4297| www.earthoceanherbals.com.
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