How to Use Herbs to Relax

Modern day life causes stress but you can use herbs to relax and calm your mind and your muscles. Since the dawn of time, soothing herbs have comforted the grief and eased nervousness and anxiety. For chronic emotional upset, some herbs are very effective in reducing anxiety. Depending upon your individual stress levels, you may benefit from including herbs in your diet.

Things You'll Need

• California Poppy
• Passion Flower Extract
• Valerian
• Chamomile
• Hops

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Instructions

• 1

  Add up to 10 drops of California poppy tincture to a cup of water and drink three times a day to alleviate mild anxiety and stress. Alternately, steep 1-tablespoon of California poppy tea in a cup of boiling water for five minutes. Use up to five times daily. Unlike its opium cousin, the California poppy contains alkaloids that assist the brain in relaxing.

• 2

  Use Passion Flower extract at night to help you fall asleep during stressful times. Up to 300mg of this herb, taken as a supplement with a glass of milk or mixed into juice, may be consumed one hour before going to bed to relax your mind and promote deep sleep. When taken in the appropriate dosage, Passion Flower will not produce morning sedation side effects.

• 3

  Look for valerian root supplements and valerian root tea to soothe frazzled nerves and reduce insomnia. Valerian, harvested from the leaves, flowers or other parts of the plant, show no beneficial results, only the roots contain the active ingredients needed to help you relax. You may have to take up to 30mg of valerian for three weeks before you experience relief, since this herb depends upon a build-up in your system.

• 4

  Take advantage of the natural anti-anxiety effect of hops, best known for brewing beer. Dimethylvinyl
  carbinol, the active ingredient in this herb acts as a mild tranquilizer when a few drops of hops extract is added to a cup of nighttime herbal tea. Store hops in the refrigerator since heat and light can quickly destroy its efficiency. Use hops in combination with the herb, valerian, for increased efficiency.

• 5

  Sip a cup of chamomile tea when you need mild relief or when your anxiety and stress results in an upset stomach. Chamomile contains smooth muscle relaxant properties and is best suited to digestive upset, although drinking a cup before bedtime may also help alleviate mild tension.