Herb for January : Albizia julibressin.

Cold and dark mornings of January. If you have found your mood is particularly low in the last few days., then you’re not alone. In fact, the third Monday of January is looming., typically termed ‘Blue Monday’ and is widely termed the saddest day of the year. A ‘social myth’? Maybe so, with very little medically-specific, or clinically supportive explanations. However, actually., many of us really do significantly experience the effects of a seemingly post-event trigger for the {temporary} low mood, or lack of motivation type of response. And perhaps this is reasonable as we look back on the excitement of Decembers’ festivities., the weather is drawing out those longer nights., and potentially., we may now even need to face the financial reality of the previous party season too.

Biologically, there are many possible explanations for this too., as through the reduced sunlight hours we grapple with altered serotonin activity, reduced Vitamin D and the inevitable disruption in our circadian rhythm that can lead us to feeling fatigued, low in energy and just a bit lacking in motivation.

However., whilst we let go of 2023., we look to the promise of the new year and the opportunity for embracing this temporary retreat, until we feel rejuvenated enough to emerge through the surface, and ready for action.

Thankfully, there are practical things that we can do to make this process both nourishing and enjoyable.

My favourite things usually start with, or involve the word nature., and connecting with nature is [as always…]  going to be first foundation for any medicines that I consider for promoting any kind of healing, and/ or that is worth sharing. This can be interpreted relatively liberally., in particularly relevant perhaps for city dwellers. To some people, it may be the daily outdoor walk in the park [let’s call this Shinrin-yoku or Forest Medicine] or for others it may be updating your indoor plant collection [we’ll call this one.. Biophilia].

Often hand-in-hand with this, is exposure to natural sunlight, also a big contributor to mood, whilst also strengthening circadian activities that include our diet and nutrition, exercise, our rest and our sleep rhythm.

Now that the terrain is created for our star herb for January to work its medicinal action at its best., meet Albizia Julibrissin.

Albizia julibrissin is known as The Tree of Happiness., perhaps from the ancient traditional Chinese medical texts relating to its listed medicinal properties., that Albizia could comfort the internal organs, benefit the mind and make people happy and worry-free. Both the bark and flowers have medicinal qualities used in herbal medicine., the flowers that are said ‘to lighten the spirit’, and the bark that is said ‘to anchor the spirit’. Fluid extracts that combine both the flowers and bark, may be taken together, traditionally used today in Chinese Medicine and some Western practice, for suffering caused by severe grief or loss.

A. julibrissin has many associations and continues to be studied for its actions in improving cognitive disturbances in particularly resulting from sleep disruption, memory deficits, emotional strengthening, and to help with irritability and insomnia.

And as our favourite plants of nature prepared for the cold seasons as they’ve shed their leaves… reducing those paths that would usually carry water between their roots and leaves in order for them to reduce any risks that the harsh frosts brings. Or., like the tulips that retreated their seeds underground to safety until spring., we too are able to retreat just temporarily… perhaps even engaging in some of those activities that can deeply nourish our own roots…, until we too feel rested and hardy., enough to emerge for the springtime.

References and more..

https://apothecaryofbotanicalmedicine.co.uk/2024/01/09/meet-thy-medicine-january.