As the days grow shorter and the light begins to fade, many of us start to feel that subtle shift — the quiet pull inward that comes with winter’s arrival. The mornings feel slower, the evenings longer, and even our energy seems to follow nature’s rhythm of rest. It’s during this time that we naturally crave warmth, comfort, and a sense of lightness within.
I’ve always found it beautiful how certain herbs seem to store up the sun — holding onto summer’s brightness in their flowers and leaves. St. John’s Wort and Lemon Balm are two of those special plants. They remind us that light is never truly lost; it simply takes a new form. When used with intention, these herbs can help gently lift the spirit, soothe the mind, and restore emotional balance through the darker months.
If you’re drawn to reconnect with nature’s quiet light this season, consider welcoming these herbs into your daily rhythm — whether as a soothing tea, a moment of mindfulness, or a simple reminder that warmth still lives within.
St. John’s Wort: The Sunshine Herb
Few plants capture the essence of sunlight as beautifully as St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Traditionally harvested at midsummer when its golden flowers are at their brightest, this herb has long been valued for its ability to support a positive mood and emotional well-being.
Herbalists have called it the “sunshine herb” for centuries, turning to it when light and energy feel low. Its radiant blossoms seem to embody the warmth of long days and open fields, helping the body and spirit adjust to seasonal changes with renewed vitality and brightness.
At Eclectic Herb, our fresh freeze-dried St. John’s Wort retains the vivid color and full spectrum of the living plant. By preserving its natural compounds just as they exist in the fresh herb, we capture that midsummer glow to support you through winter’s slower pace.
Sometimes, even simply holding a jar of these bright golden herbs — knowing they were once kissed by the summer sun — is a reminder that warmth can always be found, even in the coldest seasons.
Traditional Use
Emotional balance and calm – supports a positive outlook and balanced mood.*
Nervous system nourishment – traditionally used to relax the nerves and ease tension.*
Restful sleep – promotes deep relaxation and supports healthy sleep patterns.*
Immune and tissue support – helps maintain the body’s natural defenses.*
St. John’s wort benefits:
Support a positive mood and emotional well-being*
Promote calmness and ease everyday stress*
Encourage relaxation and restful sleep*
Support the body’s natural healing and immune response*
Feel The Eclectic Difference
We preserve our St. John’s wort as close to fresh as nature intended — capturing its living potency in every capsule.
Sustainably wildcrafted and harvested at peak bloom
Freeze-dried to lock in potency, color, and nutrients
No fillers, preservatives, or standardized extracts
Non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free
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Developed by a naturopathic physician and crafted with care
Lemon Balm: The Gentle Uplifter
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) carries the scent of sunshine — bright, citrusy, and comforting. Used since medieval times to “gladden the heart,” this cheerful herb is known to promote calm and emotional harmony while helping the body adapt to occasional stress.
While St. John’s Wort uplifts, Lemon Balm comforts — offering relaxation and a sense of inner ease. It’s a lovely herb to include in your evening routine, or anytime you want to restore balance and gently lift the spirit.
Our fresh freeze-dried Lemon Balm captures this vitality as if freshly picked, preserving its delicate essential oils and subtle calmative compounds that refresh the mind and relax the body.
There’s something deeply reassuring about the way Lemon Balm invites us to slow down — to take a breath, sip something warm, and remember that peace often grows quietly, one leaf at a time.
Traditionally used to:
Support relaxation and restful sleep
Promote a calm, balanced mood
Ease the effects of occasional stress and tension
Traditional use
Emotional balance and calm – supports a positive outlook and balanced mood.*
Nervous system nourishment – traditionally used to relax the nerves and ease tension.*
Immune support – helps maintain the body’s natural defenses.*
Lemon Balm benefits:
Encourages a calm, balanced mood*
Supports healthy nervous system function*
Promotes restful sleep and relaxation*
Aids digestion and relieves occasional stomach upset*
Feel The Eclectic Difference
We preserve our St. John’s wort as close to fresh as nature intended — capturing its living potency in every capsule.
Our Lemon Balm extract begins with fresh, whole plants—never dried.
Harvested by hand and extracted immediately in small batches to preserve vitality.
Organically grown in Oregon’s clean mountain air and pure water.
No fillers, no heat, no compromise—just the living plant in its purest form.
Developed by a naturopathic physician and crafted with care.
Supporting Seasonal Wellness Naturally
Herbs like St. John’s Wort and Lemon Balm work best when they’re part of a rhythm — small, nurturing rituals that honor your body’s natural flow through the seasons.
Try simple practices like these:
Seek light – Step outside whenever possible, especially in the morning. Natural light helps awaken the senses and set a positive tone for the day.
Move gently – Take a short walk, stretch, or practice yoga to keep energy circulating.
Eat with the season – Enjoy warming foods like soups, root vegetables, and whole grains to ground your energy.
Rest deeply – Allow yourself to follow the slower pace of winter; this is the body’s way of replenishing.
Connect – Share a meal, a laugh, or a cup of herbal tea with loved ones. Connection, too, is medicine.
Even these small gestures can feel like tiny flames of light — sustaining warmth that brightens the darker months.
If you’re simmering seasonal foods, digging roots from your garden, or turning to our freeze-dried capsules and extracts, these herbs invite you to live in tune with the rhythm of the earth. At Eclectic Herb, we capture that vitality at its peak—harvesting fresh, freeze-drying to preserve the whole plant’s essence, and delivering it to you just as nature intended.
Ritual for Fall - Japanese Koyo
My ten years living in Japan left a lasting impression, and especially the celebration and deep respect for nature and the change in seasons. In Japan, Koyo (紅葉) is the cultural tradition of admiring the changing autumn leaves — a moment to pause, breathe, and appreciate the beauty of the fleeting seasons and the change they bring. The word itself means “crimson leaves,” and it carries both a visual and emotional meaning: a celebration of nature’s transformation and a quiet acknowledgment that all things, like the seasons, move in cycles.
Koyo is also a practice in mindfulness and gratitude. People wander through parks, forests, and temple gardens to witness the vibrant reds, golds, and ambers of the season. It’s a time to reflect on the year, reconnect with the natural world, and prepare to rest in winter.
You don’t need to be in Japan to experience Koyo. You can create your own moment wherever you are:
Go outside – Find a quiet space where you can see the colors of fall — even a single tree or patch of sunlight through branches will do.
Slow your pace – Notice the textures, shapes, and changing hues. Feel the air on your skin, the crunch of leaves beneath your feet.
Breathe and reflect – Let the scene remind you that change is natural, and that there’s beauty in every stage of the cycle.
Offer gratitude – Pause to thank the season for its gifts — warmth, color, nourishment, and rest.
Koyo is about being present, allowing yourself to witness the turning of the earth and to find peace in its rhythm. Wherever you are, you can honor autumn by simply noticing its light, its color, and its invitation to slow down.
The Author : Christine Alstat
Meet Chris Alstat, an internationally acclaimed naturopath and herbalist of Japanese heritage, whose profound expertise in plants and natural health has garnered recognition worldwide. As the dedicated CEO and owner of Eclectic Herb, Chris seamlessly intertwines her deep-rooted commitment to the Earth with her business, cultivating a space where her passion for plants is ever in full bloom. Her influential voice on herbal wisdom resonates across the globe through publications and panels, reflecting a lifetime commitment to nurturing both the plant kingdom and the earth.
