Natural Herbal Remedies for Stress

Dealing with stress has become part of daily life for most of us. For anyone seeking natural solutions to health issues, the question arises: Are there any herbal remedies that can really help you cope with stress? The answer is yes, there are several herbs you can take to not only help you cope, but change how your mind and body react to stressful situations.

Mild Stress

• There are a variety of soothing herbal tonics that you can steep and drink as a tea. These relaxing herbs include mugwort, oats, chamomile, lemon balm, skull cap, wood betony, linden, valerian, vervain, mint and lavender. Simply smelling lavender or lavender oil has a relaxing effect on the senses.

  Some of these herbs make a better tasting tea than others, but most are also available in capsules or tinctures in your local health food store. In either form, they're perfect for times when you just need to unwind a bit.

Chronic Stress

• Another category of herbs, called adaptogens, are so named because of their ability to help your body adapt to stress. Some of the more commonly used adaptogens include Siberian ginseng and Korean (red) ginseng, both of which have been prescribed since ancient times in Chinese medicine.

  A recent study of Korean ginseng conducted at the Kaneko Heart Clinic in Japan, found that red ginseng not only helped participants to cope with physical and mental stress, but it also strengthened the immune system, warding off cold and flu viruses.

  Ashwaganda, another adaptogen that has been used for centuries in Indian ayurvedic medicine, has the added benefit of enhancing libido.

Acute Stress

• When faced with intensely stressful situations, herbal nervines can take the edge off and bring relief from physical and mental symptoms, allowing you to deal with a crisis. A good combination to try is valerian root, passion flower, and wild lettuce, preferably taken as a tincture. Start with about five milliliters of tincture, and increase as needed.

  A widely used Chinese remedy for all types of stress is known as kampo, which consists of ginseng, oriental bezoar and glycyrrhiza.

  You can purchase many of the above herbs, or combinations thereof, in a natural foods store, or in the natural foods department of many grocery stores.

Tips and Precautions

• Most herbal remedies are safe to take, but it's always best to consult a qualified health care practitioner before taking herbs, especially if you are also taking prescription medications, since some herbs can interact with or reduce the effectiveness of prescription drugs.

  You will get the most benefit from herbal stress formulas if you're eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and getting adequate rest and regular exercise, including deep breathing exercises. And be sure to get enough B vitamins, which are also essential to relieving stress.