about the course:
Does the darkness of winter give you the blues? You are not alone.
Winter blues, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, effects many people in higher latitudes.
This course will cover proposed causes of Seasonal Affective Disorder, actions that can minimize symptoms, herbal supports for optimizing mood and more. We’ll also touch on summer SAD — what’s going on there? — with similar suggestions for support.
what you’ll learn:
What is S.A.D.? Root causes, what it’s not, and why folks in Iceland mostly don’t have it.
Simple actions that can make a big difference, without costing you a lot of money or time.
Herbal medicines can address many S.A.D. symptoms. We’ll cover favorites from my practice.
BONUS: What’s behind summer S.A.D.? Plus tools to help this under-recognized issue.
about your instructor
Dr. Orna Izakson is a writer, gardener, registered herbalist and licensed naturopathic physician practicing in Alaska and Oregon.
Her love of wild places brought her to plants and their medicine, which she now works to share with clients, patients and the general public.
Dr. Orna sees patients through her Alaska and Oregon clinics and offers an array of options to help people learn to take control of their health.
In 2013 she launched the Traditional Roots Institute at National University of Natural Medicine, working to bring the people’s medicine back to the people. As the institute’s lead physician for the next six years, and now through this site, Dr. Orna has helped train hundreds of practitioners and patients in the practical and profound uses of herbal medicine.
Read more about Dr. Orna here.
FAQs
Is Seasonal Affective Disorder normal?
Our bodies are designed to slow down in times of darkness and cold. Going inward for the winter is not pathological. In Seasonal Affective disorder, however, we see depression and other mood alterations that significantly impair a person’s life — even with appropriate expectations due to winter weather.
Is S.A.D. the same as depression?
Seasonal Affective Disorder usually presents with symptoms of depression. The difference is that S.A.D. only happens during certain seasons — usually winter — and abates when the season changes. In other words, S.A.D. is depression, but depression is not necessarily S.A.D.
Do I have to spend money to fix my S.A.D.?
This class discusses many tools to relieve or eliminate S.A.D. symptoms. Some are actions you can take for free, some are tools that can help on many levels, and some are herbs or supplements that help many people suffering with S.A.D.
Do I need medications for S.A.D.?
That’s a great question to discuss with your doctor. Please don’t take medical advice from the internet without running it by a professional who knows your health history!
What if I need more help?
I share free content on my website, social media platforms (Instagram, YouTube, Facebook) and my VIP email list. You can see my pre-recorded courses here. If you’d like to talk about your specific concerns, I’m available by appointment for folks in Oregon and Alaska.