Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I don't use culinary herbs for the blues but I do buy St. Johns Wort in the vitamin aisle. It works for me and I hear it has been used in Europe as a less expensive alternative to prescription antidepressants. I think the presence of green plants (herbs or otherwise) in the house gives me a lift in winter and of course anything that makes my food taste better makes me happier. But I'd also like to hear what experience others have had using culinary herbs to lift their mood.

I'm always a huge fan of lavender, for smelling. I also use rosemary when I'm cooking soup and stews, to avoid those winter chills.

I used to use St. Johnswort for SAD with uncertain results, but I've found that vitamin D has revolutionized my life and I haven't had SAD this last year for the first time since at least 6th grade, when I first realized that I didn't feel good in spring even though I knew I liked spring.

If you think about it, not getting enough sunshine means we're not making enough vitamin D, and most of us don't take in enough. If you google you'll find that recently it's been found that most children are deficient in vitamin D in this country. It's turning out to be a remarkable substance.

At any rate, I take 1 or 2 1000mg tablets a day. My doctor has said she doesn't want me taking more than 1600mg a day, and I see that it doesn't average more than that. (She also said she worked for someone once who thought vitamin D was the answer to everything).

Fish Oil also helps ward off depression, so supplements are a good idea if you don't eat a lot of fish.

I have used essiential oils from a company called Young Living Oils. I am only a consumer of their products. I do not have any financial interest in the company. I have used their oils for many years, and I have been very satisfied with the results. I had a friend who did work for the company. She passed along a huge book of information as a reference I could easily use. I looked up "depression", and here's what it said:
"Depression can be caused by a calcium deficiency. Stay away from carbonated water; it takes calcium out of the body, blocks potassium, prevents protien from absorbing, and causes hormone deficiency. When we eat heavy protein at night and do not digest our food during the night, the food ferments and takes oxygen out of our system."
The oils recommended to use are: bergamot, chamomile (Roman), clary sage, frankincense, geranium, patchouly, rosewood, sage, sandalwood, tangerine, ylang ylang.
They also recommend their blends: "Peace & Calming", "Harmony", "Hope", "Gentle Baby", "Release"
Oils can be used topically or infused into the air. There is a guide for how to use the oils. Because I don't want to appear to selling you something, I'd suggest you contact the company online on your own. You can also do your own online research about the medicinal properties of herbs and essential oils. Just be careful that the source of the information is reputable.
I agree with lemonfair, vitamin D is a biggie, as is fish oil.
Best of luck on your quest!