Cabin fever got you down? Winter blahs settling in? Tired of static electricity making for a bad hair day, and rough, dry skin from low in-house humidity? Try some herbal remedies for relief, and the remaining months of winter might just go by quicker.

Many people are prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which begins when the daylight hours become short, i.e., the fall and winter season. Exposure to bright light on a daily basis lifts the "down" mood. Sunlight is preferable to artificial light and more effective. The light waves need to bounce off of the eye's retina to reach the brain cells that handle this disorder. In these dreary days of gray weather, when the sun peeks out for just five minutes, run outside and bask in it. Do NOT look at the sun - the sun's light reflecting off of objects and surfaces is all that is necessary and does improve one's mood. Alternatively, sun lamps are safer and more affordable than a decade ago, and mimic the light waves of the sun. Consider using one in your work area, as a desk or reading lamp, or where you spend the most time.

Fragrance or aromatherapy is also an effective antidote for the "blahs" or "blues." One of the easiest and most pleasant ways to perk up mood and increase humidity levels in the home is to keep a simmering potpourri on the stove. For a delightful, spicy and welcoming fragrance, save citrus peels (lemon, orange and tangerine) and let them dry till crisp on paper toweling. Crush and store in an airtight container. Simmer water in a stainless steel, glass or ceramic pot and add a scant handful of the citrus peel, a dash or two of ground cinnamon (or a small cinnamon stick), and a half-dozen whole cloves. The key word here is "simmer." Do not boil. Add more water as needed.

For a woodsy scent from a simmering potpourri, try a triple pinch of dried rosemary or a couple of pinches of sage. Ground ginger, mace, allspice and nutmeg smells like pumpkin pie. All of the mints (peppermint, spearmint, chocolate mint, orange mint, etc.) not only smell clean and fresh, but also help clear stuffy sinuses. A family favorite is vanilla: Chop a vanilla bean in small pieces. Let it sit and soften in cold water for a few hours. Gently turn up the heat until it is simmering. Reuse until the scent is gone.

Essential oils are pure oils distilled from herbs and spices, and are used in both dry and simmering potpourri. Two things of note: Use a pan or pot strictly for essential oils because the oils sometimes leave a residue that's difficult to remove. Also, essential oils can be expensive (depending on fragrance) but remember that essential oil is extremely concentrated. One or two drops is usually all that is needed per pan of water.

Another pleasantly fragrant use for essential oils is to tip a couple of drops of oil onto a cotton ball, and gently dab the oil onto cold light bulbs in your lamps. When the light is turned on, the heat from the bulb will disperse the odor of the oil in the immediate vicinity of the lamp.

Please note that essential oils are NEVER to be ingested. Their extreme concentration makes them highly toxic - ALWAYS KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Herbal dream pillows, sachets for closet, drawers and automobiles, herb bags for tucking in and around furniture cushions, a gentle after-bath massage with herb-infused oil to soften "alligator skin," sipping a cup of hot lemongrass or ginger tea are more simple, inexpensive, and enjoyable ways to banish the blahs.