“What is love, oh baby, don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me, no more.”
Who remembers this classic line from Haddaway’s song, released in 1993? I was just a teenager then and experienced those first ecstatic feelings of tender love for someone else, which was not the love you have for a family member. The overwhelming rush of emotions and hard-to-think focus of that newly formed interest was hard to beat. It was so different, seemingly so much bigger than the love you felt for your parents, grandparents or siblings.
And just as fast and furious as it can come, feeling like it will last forever, very passionate and overly joyful, it can quickly be abandoned or broken and leave you feeling lost and insecure. Not to say that the same thing doesn’t happen as you grow older and mature. You’ve learned through the trials and tribulations of relationships over time that this may not always be the case. And with each passing relationship as you grow older, you can think about and long for those early feelings of intense love.
Love can mean different things to different people and can be experienced in countless ways. The definition of love, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, could be any of the following: a) strong affection for another arising from kinship or personal ties; b) attraction based on sexual desire: affection and tenderness felt by loved ones; c) affection based on admiration, benevolenceor common interests; d) hot Appendix, enthusiasm or dedication; the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration; e) a loved person; f) unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for the welfare of another; g) a god (such as Cupid or Eros) or personification of love; to in love episode or love affair; i) the sexual embrace.
How each of us experiences love for others, or more importantly, for ourselves, is shaped by the experiences we have had in life, our memories, and our perception of how we have been loved by others in our lives.
Love and connection, physiologically speaking, are driven by the neurotransmitters and hormones known as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins.
Dopamine is part of our reward system in the brain and is associated with pleasurable feelings and euphoria, along with learning and memory, motor functions and other actions. Serotonin supports our mood and plays a role in sleep, appetite and digestion, in addition to learning and memory.
Oxytocin is the hormone closely linked to connection, trust and empathy. And finally, endorphins are our natural feel-good chemicals in the body, while also playing a role in rewarding activity. All these molecules work together to contribute to our feelings of love and well-being. When it is not balanced, it can cause poor emotional control, affect our moods, our urges, our interests, make us feel unloved or unworthy of love, and feel disconnected from others around us.
There are many things we can do to support a healthy balance of these hormones and neurotransmitters in our daily lives, which can help us feel more connected to those around us and to ourselves, in addition to a sense of love and compassion . These include fundamentals to support overall health and well-being, such as eating an optimal diet, getting plenty of exercise and getting outside for exposure to nature, sunshine and fresh air. However, spending time with loved ones or friends, laughing, sharing a hug or simply having a positive and inspiring conversation has also been shown to improve connections in the body.
Finally, many herbs have been used throughout history to support healthy, balanced emotions and help one feel a stronger sense of love; physically, emotionally and energetically.
Everyone knows chocolate and its association with love. We give chocolate to others for Valentine’s Day or other events in someone’s life. Cacao, from which chocolate is made, has long been associated with love, and for good reason, as some of its components support healthy levels of the hormones discussed above.
Hawthorn, one of the best cardiovascular strengthening herbs, is known for its physical support of the heart and circulatory system, but is also beneficial for the energetic or emotional aspects of the heart.
Rose, another well-known and often gifted plant for special occasions and Valentine’s Day, is associated with feelings of love and happiness.
Cottonroot bark, from midwifery use in the South and Appalachia, is associated with supporting the action of oxytocin in the body, creating strong bonds and feelings of connection, along with a sense of groundedness and heart-centeredness. This list of herbs that play a role in the functioning of healthy hormones and neurotransmitters in the body is far too numerous to mention in this article, but suffice it to say that there are many that can stimulate a person’s emotions and thus feelings of love and connection. can support.
I would encourage everyone to learn more about these herbs and incorporate them into your life, whether through the use of teas, tinctures, capsules, or incorporated into foods and treats. Plus, learning how to grow some of these plants in your garden and giving them love as they grow is a great way to extend the love you give and receive in return. Plants are aware of our relationship with them, so learn to love your plants too.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, or to sell any product.
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