12/09/2017
Best herbal remedies for stress and anxiety (in no particular order).
Today's busy lifestyle and sometimes catastrophic world events, terror attacks and war threats leaves many of us feeling increasingly anxious, worried, and upset - or even depressed. While we all feel sad, moody or low from time to time, some people experience these feelings intensely, for long periods of time (weeks, months or even years) and sometimes without any apparent reason. Depression is on the rise in winter time. Lack of sunshine, not enough time spent in the nature and overall gloomy weather are also a contributing factors. Depression is more than just a low mood – it's a serious illness that has an impact on both physical and mental health. Recovery can take time. While medical and/or psychological treatment can help with a person's recovery, there are many other ways people can help themselves to get better and stay well. Go out and sped time in the nature, exercise, eat healthy and meditate. It is very often our ego and emotional pain-body what causes all this suffering. We can do two things to ease the effect. One is of external nature (like herbs or massage) and the other one is of internal nature and uses the inner strength - the power of our soul. The problem is that when we are suffering, we are focused on a problem and we don't see what is around the corner because we operate from our ego, which has a very limited viewpoint. Than rather than to be stuck in this state we should turn to someone who can help us to rise our vibrations so we can re-connect and tune in to our higher self (aka superego state) where the problem with anxiety or depression is simply non-existent.
Our ego has only one choice to survive. It needs to keeps us in a state of non-acceptance, in the mind state, blaming and complaining. This really strengthens our ego on the expense of our health. Many people turn to their doctors and end up being prescribed anti-depressants. But if you are someone who thinks that there must be a natural, safe, inexpensive alternative to antidepressants, than keep reading because there are indeed other ways that can help us to manage times of anxiety and boost our emotional health and wellness. We can choose natural remedies or man made ones. Many people reach for alcohol or drugs and form a strong addictions. We than have this inner feeling of guilt, which just perpetuates the status-quo and makes things ever worse.
There are many different types of services, treatments and assistance to help people on the road to recovery. Therapists in bioversion have walked the path and recognised that It’s very important to make the right choice, pick the right method and find the right herbal remedy that suits our individual needs. We are happy to assist you with a meditation tutoring, EFT, massage or stock you up with herbal remedies and nutritional life coaching and help you in the times when you are experiencing the symptoms of stress and depression.
Passionflower
Passion flower tea has been deemed as one of the best teas for soothing and relaxing those that are plagued with stress and anxiety. The healing properties of this tea make it far better for use than many medications which can have negative and unwanted side effects. Drinking a cup of this tea half an hour before bed can help relax the body and help the drinker achieve a better night’s rest. Many have used the sedative qualities of this tea as a way to ease other things as well such as: seizures, hysteria, high blood pressure, ADHD, and for symptoms of menopause.
Ashwagandha
An herbal medicine grown in Africa, the Mediterranean and India, ashwanganda (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogen. This class of herb helps the body fight stress by reducing the production of stress hormones that result in the fight-or-flight response. This adaptogenic quality can help the body relax and help the body stay strong. It also is a potent antioxidant as well.
This Indian herbal ashwaganda contains a chemical called ashwagandholine alkaloid which has a mild relaxant, tranquilliser like-effect on the central nervous system.
Lavender
Lavender is a nerve tonic and true relaxant. It calms the body from head to toe and soothes anxious feelings in the heart. I like to use lavender herbal tea when it’s the emotions and feelings that seem to be stressed out the most. When you enjoy lavender herbal tea, take time to look at the colour, smell the steam rising from your cup, and really savour the taste. All of these elements play in to the depth of healing it can bring you.
Valerian
Valerian is well known for its sedative qualities and its ability to relax the central nervous system and the smooth muscle groups. It has been used as a sleeping aid for hundreds of years especially when there is excitation or difficulty in falling to sleep due to nervousness. It has not been found to have any negative side effects with moderate use. It is calming without exerting too sedative an effect and is practically non-addictive. It is a valuable treatment for insomnia.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and is used for nervous agitation, anxiety, sleeping problems, functional gastrointestinal complaints, menstrual cramps and urinary spasms. Lemon balm has been researched by experts and found to offer many great health benefits. Lemon balm is not to be used in high amounts in pregnant and breast-feeding women and individuals taking the thyroid medication thyroxine.
Holy Basil
Holy basil is a powerful antioxidant with demonstrated antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.1,3 In Ayurvedic medicine, holy basil has been used to treat a variety of conditions - everything from the common cold to bronchitis to fever to certain digestive complaints, including ulcers. The most compelling data, however, suggests that holy basil possesses its greatest potential in the areas of stress relief and relaxation. And in the fast paced world in which we live, these findings may prove to be extremely significant.
Schisandra berry
Schisandra berries are a powerful adaptogen. This means that they will help you adapt to your environment allowing you to better handle stress, whether mental or physical. An adaptogen is used as an overall wellness tonic. It is beneficial to the whole body. Like any adaptogen, Schisandra exerts a normalising effect on the entire body. It will take you from any extreme back to a balanced state. In China, it is said to be the most protective of all herbs and plants.
Camomile
Most people turn to chamomile tea for its nerve-soothing and sedative qualities. Small amounts seem to relieve anxiety, while larger quantities aid sleep. Camomile is arguably one of the most popular and available herbs that calm nerves and soothes anxiety. Chamomile tea helps maintain blood glucose levels and therefore it helps in controlling diabetes mellitus symptoms. Pregnant and nursing women should not consume the tea, which could increase the risk of miscarriage. It may also cause allergic reactions to people with pollen allergies.
Liquorice Root
Liquorice Root is the world's most widely used herbal remedy, and this is because it helps such a wide range of different health issues including asthma and bronchitis, hives, indigestion and heartburn, stomach ulcers, herpes, ge***al warts, lyme disease, adrenal gland fatigue. It is one of the adaptogenic herbs that is beneficial to use for long term stress relieve. It is common to find liquorice tincture in liquid herbal remedies, and its distinct smell and taste is easily recognised.
(sourced from blog @ www.bioversion.com)
