We all have mood swings. One minute we can be feeling on top of the world, the next we are well and firmly down in the dumps. Often there is no obvious reason for these feelings and many of us are frightened to tell our doctors for fear of being put onto long term medication that we may find difficult to come off in the future.

Of course, if you think you may be suffering from severe depression, then you must visit your doctor and work out a plan of dealing with it that suits you. But if you are prone to feeling ‘low’ without any specific cause now and again, then there are natural remedies that can help you.

Many people who find that they suffer from mood swings are deficient in B vitamins. These help the body to utilize iron, and also help to keep the brain functioning properly. The most common B vitamins are B6, B12 and folic acid, and as they are water soluble, they need to be topped up every day. If you suffer from bouts of feeling low, then try altering your diet to include such foods as eggs, milk, fortified cereals and dark green vegetables such as spinach, which are all a rich source of B vitamins.

If your symptoms are more severe, you may consider trying acupuncture as a way of relieving them. Fine needles are pushed into specific points on your body, known as energy channels or meridians. This is said to help the energy flow more freely throughout your body. Acupuncture is said to stimulate the production of pain dulling substances which prevents mood drops. Many people find that they do not have to understand how acupuncture works in order to benefit from it, and it is used in a variety of cases where conventional medicine has not worked out.

A less invasive method of preventing a drop in mood is by adding the herb rosemary to your cooking. It is an ideal accompaniment to roast lamb, potatoes and steamed vegetables. Rosemary has been found to be a powerful antioxidant. It stimulates digestion and blood flow to all parts of the body, including the brain, and this is why it may help with mood swings. If your moods swings are brought on by bouts of tiredness and lack of energy, then this herb could help!

Bach Original Flower Remedies have been used for many years, by people in all walks of life. The original ‘rescue remedy’ is well known to calm nerves naturally. But many people do not realize that other remedies are available that can help to lift your mood in general. Try using mustard, hornbeam, gorse and gentian. These are not an instant fix, but over a month or so, you should notice your moods and general outlook on life improving.

Finally, and arguably the most pleasurable method of lifting depression and experiencing a feeling of general well being comes through eating chocolate! Even better, it is now proved to have a mood lifting effect by triggering the release of endorphins, which is well known as the body’s feel good chemical. Of course, it is also well documented that exercise has the same effect. If you choose chocolate, then make sure it contains at least 70% cocoa, and plain chocolate is always best. If you are watching your weight, then buying the best quality chocolate that you can afford, with the highest cocoa content, will mean that you will only need to consume small amounts.

If you find that these methods do not lift your low mood then you may be suffering from a more serious form of depression and should always seek medical advice.