Energize Your Spring

Herbs & Essential Oils to Shake Off the Winter Slumps

Spring blossoms

As spring arrives, many of us anticipate the renewal and joy that the season brings. Yet, it is not uncommon to feel sluggish, unmotivated, or like you are still stuck in hibernation mode—your brain refusing to switch on. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone! The good news is that there are some fantastic remedies to help you break free from this seasonal slump. In this blog post, I will share herbs and essential oils that can boost your energy, sharpen your focus, and lift your spirits.

Why Do You Feel This Way?

The transition from winter to spring can throw your body and mind off balance. Shorter days and reduced sunlight during the colder months can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), leaving you fatigued and uninspired. Even as the seasons shift, your internal clock might struggle to adjust, contributing to that “hibernate forever” feeling. Fortunately, herbs and essential oils can provide a natural lift to help you embrace the vibrancy of spring.

Herbs to Boost Energy and Motivation

Herbs have been trusted for centuries to restore vitality and mental clarity. Here are four standout options to help you throw off the slump:

Rosemary

• What It Does: Rosemary is like a mental wake-up call. It is well-known for boosting memory, sharpening focus, and cutting through that foggy feeling—perfect if you are struggling to concentrate or need a little motivation. Plus, its earthy, pine-like vibe is naturally invigorating.

• How to Use It:

  • Steep a sprig or two in hot water for a refreshing rosemary tea

  • Toss fresh or dried rosemary into your cooking—think roasted potatoes or grilled chicken

  • Tincture it and add a few drops to your water to use as a flavor and memory boost

  • Use it in an herbal steam to open up your respiratory tract and give you a quick pick-me-up

  • Infuse it in oil to use as a tired muscle rub

Tulsi

• What It Does: Tulsi is an adaptogenic herb, meaning it helps your body handle stress and release stagnation while promoting mental clarity and vitality. It is less about an instant jolt and more about a subtle, long-term energy lift—great if you are feeling mentally drained but want steady support. Use caution if you are on diabetes medication.

• How to Use It:

  • Brew a tulsi-lemon balm tea for a tasty way to start your day

  • Tincture it for a daily rejuvenating tonic

  • Dry and powder it and pop it into capsules for an easy daily boost

  • Make a strong tea and gargle with it, or add a little vodka and use it as a mouthwash

  • Infuse it in honey for a soothing treat

Sage

• What It Does: Sage is fantastic for sharpening focus and memory, cutting through mental fog. While it is not a direct energy booster like caffeine, its cognitive benefits can help you feel more alert and motivated, especially for tasks needing concentration. Additionally, it supports digestion, breathing and even lifts your mood. Avoid sage when breastfeeding as it can dry up your milk production.

• How to Use It:

  • Make sage tea with dried or fresh leaves for an uplift

  • Tincture it to use as a throat spray at the first signs of a tickle

  • Use it in an herbal steam to open up your respiratory tract and give you a general boost

  • Sprinkle it into your cooking—sage is a star in seasoning, pestos, or even on the barbecue!

  • Infuse it in oil with rosemary to create a stimulating massage oil

Peppermint

• What It Does: Peppermint is not just refreshing—it is a natural energizer that clears mental fog and improves focus with its crisp, invigorating scent. Use caution, or substitute with spearmint if you suffer from heartburn.

• How to Use It:

  • Sip on peppermint tea throughout the day

  • Tincture it for a refreshing mouthwash

  • Try it as a cordial

  • Infuse it in oil and use it as an invigorating massage oil

  • Use it as a culinary herb in smoothies, salads, and as a dessert topping

Peppermint garnish

Essential Oils to Uplift and Energize

If you are looking for an even faster way to uplift your mood, essential oils can provide an instant boost through aroma alone. Here are some top picks to get you moving:

Citrus Oils (Lemon, Orange, Lime)

• What They Do: Citrus oils are bright and zesty, uplifting and invigorating. They are perfect for banishing tension and lethargy and sparking a sunny mood.

• How to Use Them:

  • Diffuse a few drops along with rosemary to start the day with an energy boost

  • Dilute with a carrier oil (like almond or jojoba) and apply via roller bottle to your wrists

  • Blend lemon, orange, lime, and peppermint in a personal inhaler for an on-the-go pick-me-up

  • Use in your DIY natural cleaning products for a fresh, energizing scent

Peppermint Oil

• What It Does: Peppermint oil’s cool, minty aroma sharpens focus, boosts concentration, and fights off fatigue in an instant. Avoid use with children 5 and younger, or with those with cardiac fibrillation, or G6PD deficiency.

• How to Use It:

  • Add it to a diffuser with a citrus and evergreen for a refreshing, allergy-fighting energy boost

  • Inhale it directly from the bottle for a quick refresh

  • Blend with lavender or frankincense, dilute with a carrier oil, and apply via roller bottle to your temples and back of the neck to tackle tension headaches

  • Dilute in a carrier oil along with rosemary for a tired muscle massage oil

Rosemary Oil

• What It Does: Rosemary oil is a mental clarity superstar. Its earthy, herbaceous scent helps you stay alert and focused, cutting through brain fog. Use with caution for those with epilepsy, hypertension, pregnant or under the age of 10.

• How to Use It:

  • Blend with peppermint and lemon in a diffuser or personal inhaler for respiratory and focus support

  • Blend with lime and eucalyptus to diffuse or use in a personal inhaler for an uplifting start to your day

  • Add a couple of drops to your shampoo bottle for a refreshing shower that supports a healthy scalp

  • Dilute in a carrier oil and rub over achy joints to ease inflammation

Eucalyptus Oil

• What It Does: Eucalyptus oil is known for its ability to clear congestion and ease breathing. Its invigorating and refreshing scent can also uplift the mood and boost energy levels. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, making it useful for relieving muscle and joint pain. Use caution with children 10 and younger or with those with asthma.

• How to Use It:

  • Diffuse along with an evergreen oil in a diffuser to help with respiratory issues and refresh the air

  • Blend with peppermint and dilute with a carrier oil (like almond or jojoba) to create an oil that can help soothe sore muscles and ease sinus & tension headaches when used to massage the neck and shoulders

  • Dilute a couple of drops into a tablespoon of lotion to use as a chest rub to open the airways

  • Blend with lemon to add a scent boost to your DIY laundry powder

Refreshing, aromatic bouquet of eucalyptus

Recipes

Brain Rejuvenation Tea (or Tincture)

• 2 parts tulsi

• 2 parts peppermint or lemon balm

• 1 part rosemary

• 1 part sage

• Pinch of lemon or orange peel (optional)

Use 2-3 tsp per cup of hot water. Steep, covered, for 10-15 minutes. For a tincture, fill a jar ¾ full with the blend, cover with alcohol (vodka, rum, brandy), and infuse for 4+ weeks. Strain into amber dropper bottles. Take 1 dropperful up to 3 times daily as a brain tonic.

Happy Honey

• 2 tsp powdered peppermint

• 1 tsp powdered tulsi

• 4 oz raw honey

Warm the honey over very low heat, just enough to thin it a little bit. Stir in the powdered herbs well. Allow to infuse for 2+ weeks. Enjoy on toast, in tea, over yogurt, or anywhere you enjoy using honey!

Mental Boost Inhaler

• 8 drops lemon or lime essential oil

• 4 drops rosemary essential oil

• 2 drops peppermint essential oil

• blank aromatherapy inhaler

Add the drops of essential oil to the inhaler wick, then place the wick inside the inhaler, and close up the inhaler. Inhale deeply whenever you need a mental lift. If you would prefer to use a room diffuser, cut the number of drops in half.

Safety First

• Essential Oils: Always dilute with a carrier oil before applying to the skin. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have health conditions (e.g., epilepsy or hypertension), consult a healthcare professional first.

• Herbs: Start with small amounts, especially if you are new to them. Check with a health care professional if you are on medication or have concerns.

Final Thoughts

Spring is here, and with it comes the opportunity to renew and recharge. Embrace the power of these herbs and essential oils, and say goodbye to the winter slump. Start feeling more energized, focused, and joyful today!

Have you tried any of these? Let me know which works best for you!