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Stress Easing Herbs

© Kathern Welsh

Most people in this 20th century experience one or several types of stress in their lives. I'm generally a calm person, but there have been times when I needed help to ease through my life rather than jump anxiously from one thing to another.:

When my children were small, I discovered a number of herbs which naturally worked to calm my nerves and helped me to get a good night's sleep.:

The one I used most, was Valerian. It's available in capsule form or as a tea. I preferred tea before going to bed, as it seems to get into the body faster and improves the quality of sleep. Unlike over-the counter sleep-aids and many prescription sleeping pills, it will not cause grogginess the next day. Another benefit is that it, and other herbals of this type, do not lead to dependence or addiction. A bonus of Valerian, is that it has been proven to lower blood pressure, a direct result of stress.:

Another herb which acts as a tranquilizer, is safe and gentle, and widely used, is Balm. Taken as a tincture or tea, it is one of the most used natural sedatives in Germany.:

Catnip, would you believe, is not just for cats! The same chemical, Nepetalactone isomers, which serves to excite cats, can actually calm you down. Catnip is taken as a tea when you feel yourself getting tense.:

Chamomile has been shown by modern researchers to depress the central nervous system, thus lowering the stress level. This can be taken in capsule form, or as a tea.:

Ginseng is normally thought of as a stimulant to provide energy. It actually belongs to a class of compounds called adaptogens. This means it normalizes the body when it's out of balance. For example if your blood pressure is high, it lowers it, and if the pressure is low, it raises it. It is this extraordinary reaction which helps the body to adapt to stressful situations. Ginseng can be taken as an extract, mixed in liquid, as a tea, or in capsules. I prefer the extract used in tea, again for the faster absorption.:

Passionflower, counter to it's name, contains three tranquilizing chemicals and is an excellent sedative. Use dried leaves to make a tea and for insomnia, drink it before bed. Otherwise, drink three cups a day.:

Skullcap is a traditional tranquilizer. It's used widely in Europe to put body and mind at ease and it's a primary ingredient in many commercial sleep preparations there. The dried leaves, made into a tea, will usually require sweetening as it is rather bitter.:

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