The Herbal Approach to Stress
Stress it seams is normal part of our everyday life these days. The ability to work under pressure is is often is outlined as an essential in job descriptions and even the journey to work can mean that our stress levels are through the roof before we even start. Taking good care of your bodies needs and supporting it with nutrients and herbs can ensure that you stay on top of life's pressures. The more easily you negotiate your professional life the more time and energy you have to to put into the things in life that really matter to you whether that be, family, friends, relationships or recreational pass times.
When your body is under stress it pumps out certain hormones that are designed propel your body through a fight or flight response that will need a short high energy output. As our stresses these days don't tend to require such a burst of energy these hormones do not get used up and stay in our bloodstream. Left unchecked these hormones can weaken our immunity, reducing our resistance to colds and other illnesses and damage the heart and blood vessels. These chemicals can also effect us mentally and emotionally, making us irritable, more easily angered and effect our ability to concentrate. Insomnia, headaches and digestive upsets are also other symptoms of stress.
What can you do to counteract the effects of stress?
To increase your resistance to stress it is important to get some regular exercise as this will help use up the stress hormones. Eat a well balanced diet and reduce your intake of alcohol, caffeine and sugar as these can initiate your bodies fight or flight response. A good B vitamin complex, magnesium and Vitamin C can help, and it is important to make time in your schedule for relaxation.
Herbs are a really valuable tools in supporting your body when it is under stress, they can relieve the symptoms and strengthen its ability to deal with he stresses ans strains that life throws at us. here are some of my favorites:
Siberian Ginseng
A tonic for the adrenal glands and is also referred to as an antigenic herb due to its ability to improve and energize all the systems of the body with out any unpleasant side effects. This means it will improve your bodies ability to deal with long term stress. It enhances the immune system and has been used by cancer patients to reduce the many negative effects of chemotherapy. It increases energy and physical stamina and athletes have used it to improve their physical performance. Siberian Ginseng increases the bodies ability to utilize oxygen, improves concentration and aids in the recovery from chronic illness and is both mentally and physically supportive.
Valerian
The root of this herb is a relaxant for the central nervous system and can be really helpful when stress induces feelings of anxiety. It will calm you down and improve your overall quality of sleep without making you groggy or feeling hungover like some conventional sedatives do. Its calming effect on the mind allows you to switch off and relax, helping to stop those worries from continually churning around in your head on a continuous loop. As well as relaxing the mind it will also help to ease muscular tension such as menstrual cramps and stomach cramps
Chamomile
This well known herb has a calming effect in the central nervous system. A cup chamomile half an hour or so before bedtime will relax you and help to improve the quality of your sleep. It is also ideal as a remedy for nervous stomach problems. Digestive upsets are a common symptom of stress and chamomile has a relaxing effect on the smooth muscle of the stomach and so is particularly good for stomach cramps or spasms.
Oats
Taken as oat straw tea or a nutrient rich food oats are rich in vitamins and minerals that are a fortifying tonic for the nervous system. Eating oats can be very helpful with withdrawal symptoms from substances like tobacco, antidepressants and tranquilizers. A great food for convalesce as they help to boost energy levels and are really nourishing and strengthening to the nervous system making them ideal for nervous exhaustion. The soluble fiber in porridge helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood which will also help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Skullcap
Has a wonderful tonic effect in the central nervous system which makes it a good remedy for nervous exhaustion.It also calms the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system so it a good choice for nervous tension and anxiety states. Skullcap can also be very useful for stress related headaches and symptoms associated with pre menstrual syndrome and has been found to be of use for fibromyalgia
Vervain
A tonic and restorative for the nervous system. It has a mild sedative and an antispasmodic action and can be used for headaches and nervous exhaustion. Historically it has been used for depression, it's relaxing qualities make it good for stomach cramps and it is mildly bitter and a tonic for the liver.
If you are taking any medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding it is important to seek advice from a professional before taking any of the herbs outlined in this article.
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