Herbal Remedies for Stress
I’ve written a lot about stress recently not just because it’s a huge cause of cfs/me + burnout. But also because it’s one of THE biggest causes of illness and health struggles in our modern world. Previous posts including:
6 Steps to reduce and manage stress
What happens to your body when you’re stressed
Stress is NOT meant to be a long term situation, and adrenaline and cortisol are dangerous hormones to have in your system for an elevated stretch of time.
The good news is there are plenty of ways to help reduce the effects of stress and support the body as it deals with the effects of stress.
As well as lots of holistic ways to support the body nature has also provided us with beautiful plants that work to support your body as it deals with stress, AND heal the negative effects of stress.
Herbal Remedies for Stress
Firstly, there are more than one specific ‘thing’ to treat when it comes to stress and your health. Stress affects many areas of the body and our lives. Because of that, we will cover a few different options below — it’s not necessary for you to take them all. Find the ones that most resonate with you and your symptoms.
And as always, not all herbs work for every person. It is always best to work with and consult a herbalist or health practitioner when using herbal medicine.
Before we go on to treat various symptoms stress can cause, supporting the body in dealing with stress is an important first step.
Adaptogens
For general, full-body support, adaptogens are amazing. . As their name suggests they help the body adapt and help to bring it back into balance where stress pulls it out of balance.
You can read more about adaptogens and the different adaptogens available in Adaptogens + Why You Should Include them in Your Daily Routine
Agnus Castus
We cannot talk about stress without covering hormones. One thing I can pretty much guarantee is if you’re dealing with stress, your hormones are also disrupted and out of balance.
While adrenaline and cortisol are being processed your body stops producing your normal hormones.
Agnus Castus is one of the best all round herbs — berries actually — that works for all menstrual hormones. Supporting the body in producing the right amounts of each, and working to heal your menstrual cycle.
Even without stress, if you are dealing with any uncomfortable and unwanted symptoms in your cycle, you want to take agnus castus.
For Your Nervous System —
If you are going to support two things when you’re stressed it’s the nervous system and your hormones. These are the two systems within the body that take the hardest hit, and suffer first AND for the longest.
Your nervous system is a delicate balance of signals between body and brain. A network that touches on and connects with energy part of your body. Disruption to your nervous system can affect muscle and joint it pain, can negatively affect digestion, cell growth and repair and so much more…
Motherwort
Motherwort is a gentle soother. It can pacify the nervous system, soothe anxiety and quieten the body + being.
Motherwort is a gentle sedative that helps to relax the nervous system, but also relaxes the mind and body as a whole.
Rosemary
Rosemary is not just an average garden herb. This aromatic plant has many healing benefits — it is a nervous system stimulant, helping the body to bring your nervous system back into alignment, whilst at the same time having a toning and calming effect on your digestion — especially in cases where stress can cause you gas, headaches, and a tendency towards depression.
St. John’s Wort
Another nerve tonic at. Johns Wort also acts as an anti inflammatory to the whole body. When taken internally St. John’s has a sedative and restorative effect on a stressed nervous system. Because it’s an anti inflammatory it also works to relieve and reduce pain.
St. Johns wort is a wonderful herbal medicine to treat the whole nervous system.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm leaves have a delicate scent and a gentle relaxing effect on the nervous system. They are a lovely herb to take as a tea to drink throughout the day and take the edge of stressful situations.
They can also be added to salads and cooking and eaten like mint or other leafy greens!
For Sleep —
We all know if you get stressed it affects all parts of your life, including sleep. Which, when your body needs sleep to repair itself and recover from the day just gone, can feel very much like a catch 22 situation. And exceptionally frustrating.
No matter how worn out you feel you struggle to fall asleep, or stay asleep. All due to those pesky stress hormones running around in your body.
Chamomile
Chamomile is pretty well known now as a flower with calming properties, or at least as a tea. Chamomile tea is a gentle and effective way to help you stay calm and relaxed and to unwind after a particularly stressful day. Simple, delicious and effective chamomile has been used as a relaxation aid for centuries.
It also acts as a mild sedative, helping to calm nerves, reduce anxiety, and ease insomnia too.
Valerian
Valerian root is another folk remedy that is well known and has been used for centuries to help with not just falling asleep but also staying asleep. With the added benefit of feeling refreshed in the morning (instead of groggy like most sleeping tablets!).
Valerian root also helps to ease anxiety and promote relaxation.
Taken a few hours before you want to fall asleep, a tablet of tincture or valerian root is an effective way to help restore your natural sleep cycle.
Passionflower
Passion flower is a herbal remedy that’s been used for centuries. Native Americans used passionflower to treat a variety of ailments fRon boils, wounds, and earaches, to liver problems.
It’s also a gentle remedy to treat restlessness, agitation, and to treat anxiety. (The fruit is also used often as a flavouring for drinks).
Passion flower is a herb that works to calm your mind, treat insomnia, and improve sleep. As well as relieve anxiety.
When it comes to sleep passionflower not only helps you to fall asleep quicker, but to also get a better quality sleep and higher quantity of deep sleep.
For Digestion —
Stress affects your gut + digestive system in two main ways; Your gut has a delicate balance of good and bad bacteria’s, called your microbiome (or gut flora). Stress in long periods can damage and throw out of balance that microbiome causing digestive issues.
In the short term, every time you have that fight-fight-freeze response to stress that releases adrenaline into your system, your body pulls blood away from normal functions (such as the digestive system) in preparation for running from danger. This causes sluggish digestion, gas, bloating, and cramping.
Pre- and pro- biotics
If you are coping with stress right now taking a good pre-and pro-biotic is a big first step towards maintaining good gut health and supporting your digestion. Pre and pro biotics help to not only maintain the good gut bacteria in the body, as well as help the gut to digest food and absorb the nutrients it needs.
Ginger
Ginger root is what is know as a carminative — a herbal medicine rich in volatile oils that work to stimulate your digestive system back into normal function. Mainly by soothing and settling the gut walls.
It is just a great option for bringing about full digestive health and making sure everything is functioning properly and regularly.
For Anxiety+ Mental wellbeing —
Your mental health and wellbeing are important when it comes to stress too. While a lot of your mental health when it comes to how well you cope with stress is about resilience and the way you’ve been brought up to look at stress…
Having said that, there are many herbal remedies that can help improve anxiety and mental wellbeing. Many of which have already been covered above; Passion flower, valerian, chamomile, St. John’s Wort and Motherwort.
And it also bares mentioning that if you are struggling, talk to someone. There is no shame in seeking help from a councillor, a psychiatrist or health professional.
We see Dr’s and professionals for every other aspect of our health and wellbeing, so why not our brains too?
You may also be interested in reading How to build resilience for a healthy mind + body https://emilyandtheplants.com/holistic-health-blog/How-to-build-resilience
xo Emily
