KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – Dirt makes you happy

Since ancient times people have used plants for healing of many physical as well as mental and emotional afflictions. They may have not have known exactly why these remedies worked but simply that they did. These remedies were handed down generation to generation. Natural remedies often have very few side effects or long term addiction. Now gardeners have always known that gardening makes you happy, now we know why.

It turns out that there is a natural antidepressant present in soil. Mycobacterium vaccae is now being studied. It is thought to have the same effect on the neurons in your brain as Prozac. The scientists believe it may stimulate serotonin levels. Lack of or low serotonin causes a litany of mental issues like obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression and bipolar problems. Whereas higher serotonin levels make you relaxed and happy. The microbes cause cytokine levels to rise which in turn raise serotonin. Tests on rats are producing some impressive results. These microbes are also being tested to improve symptoms in some autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s.

Gardeners ingest the microbe through the air or it could be through skin contact. Perhaps a small open cut or scrape. The natural effects are thought to last 3 weeks. We gardeners will tell you there is a calming and uplifting effect from even just weeding. So let’s get out there and get some natural therapy playing in the dirt.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO