Herbs for Calming & Relieving Stress

Stress and anxiety can be difficult to manage and have devastating effects on your health. Eliminate as many stressful factors present in your daily life to ensure happiness. Of course this is not always practical as certain life factors are unavoidable but, you may find it helpful to include natural herbs as part of your stress management plan.

Herbal Remedies

• Valerian root has long been praised for its sedative and calming properties, as it improves circulation and relieves anxiety. St. John's Wort is another herbal supplement that is commonly used to treat stress and anxiety. You can find both in the form of a pill or tincture at your local health food store. Valerian and St. John's are considered to be strong relaxants so you should exercise prudence and caution when taking these supplements. Start with a low dosage and increase dosage slowly as necessary. Avoid alcohol or other sedatives when taking valerian and St. John's Wort. Another herbal remedy for promoting relaxation is kava kava. Kava kava works less as a sedative and more as a relaxant and mood enhancer. Kava kava may be found in many forms but the most effective method for ingesting this herb is by using the dried root to make a natural herbal tea. This is relatively mild, so try having it in a cup of hot tea in the mornings or afternoons. Chamomile also relieves stress and can be taken as a tea or tincture. Passion flower, scullcup and verbena are also notable mentions and work excellently when taken in conjunction with some of the stronger herbs previously mentioned. Make sure to consult with your herbalist or local health store expert before attempting to mix any types of herbs or medications.

Aromatherapy

• Essential oils from certain herbs and plants can work to calm the central nervous system just by scent alone. The plants and herbs for relieving anxiety are lavender, cypress, chamomile, basil and neroli. For nervous tension try using sandalwood, clary sage, jasmine, cinnamon, cedar wood, bergamot, frankincense and ylang ylang. If stress is interfering with your sleep you can try an aromatherapy remedy with lemon, marjoram, rose or valerian. You can add a few drops of these essential oils to your pillow or directly onto your skin. You could also try adding drops of essential oil to a heated lamp that is specially made to burn essential oils. The herbal aroma throughout your home or office will significantly improve your mood and anxiety level.