[toc]Anxiety and stress are very damaging for the body and mind. These two problems are the leading cause of serious medical diseases such as congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, cardiomegaly, heart attacks, diabetes and cancer. Stress places heavy psychological and emotional burdens on us. Anxiety is a state when the person feels extremely tense, worried, nervous and agitated. Both stress and anxiety can create acute mental and physical distress.
Herbal remedies for stress and anxiety can help to eliminate this distress. Some of the best herbs for dealing with stress and anxiety include Chamomile, Valerian, Skullcap, Lemon Balm or Melissa, Kava, Passionflower, California Poppy and Lavender. Most of these herbs are effective in relaxing the muscles and calming the mind. Others reduce the harmful impact of stress and anxiety on the body.
Useful Herbal Remedies For Anxiety And Stress
Chamomile
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Chamomile is referred to in botanical terminology as Matricaria Recutita. This herb contains active ingredients such as anthemic acid which calm the bodily systems and ease anxiety and stress. Chamomile is an adaptogen which means that it reduces emotional and physical distress caused due to stressors and anxiety inducing thoughts and situations.
It moderates the reaction of the body to physiological and psychological stressors. Chamomile is a good herb to take if stress and anxiety are making you feel restless and agitated. This herb is a natural sedative which improves the quality of sleep and wards off stress or anxiety induced insomnia.
Chamomile tea prepared from either the dried herbal leaves or commercially available teabags can be taken to fend off anxiety and lower stress. This herb should not be used by pregnant or lactating women. It should also be avoided by people allergic to Asters, Chrysanthemums, Rag Weed or other flowers belonging to the Daisy variety.
Valerian
Valeriana Officinalis is the Latin name of this herb. Valerian is known for its sedative properties. This herb is a natural relaxant which has been shown by researchers to work as effectively as anti-anxiety medication such as benzodiazepines and Valium.
This herb is a popular remedy for both stress and anxiety. By acting as an adaptogen, it enables the body to lower the harmful impact of stress on the mind and body both. Valerian can be taken in the form of an extract made from the root of this herb.
Valerian root extract is beneficial for reducing mental agitation caused due to heightened anxiety or stress. It also lessens the physical impact of stress by loosening tense or constricted muscles and limbs and preventing elevations in heart rate or blood pressure.
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Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is a known cure for anxiety disorders as well as stress related diseases. It lowers both anxiety and stress in people prone to succumbing to these states. Lemon Balm is botanically referred to as Melissa Officinalis.
This herb is also known as Melissa. It is an excellent herbal remedy for lowering anxiety because substances found in this herb known as terpenes initiate anxiety soothing mechanisms in the brain.
Lemon Balm also prevents harmful stressors from damaging the body or mind. You can drink tea brewed from the fresh leaves of this herb. Lemon Balm is also available in extract or tincture form for good benefits. This herb is a natural relaxant which moderates the body’s response to stressors and anxiety creating stimuli.
Kava
Kava is known in botanical terms as Piper Methysticum. This herb is full of substances called kavalactones or kavapyrones which ease anxiety and reduce stress in people. Kava is native to Fiji. This herb has been used for making salads in Indonesia and brewing ceremonial drinks in the South Pacific region.
Kava has the ability to soothe the mind without causing any adverse effects to the clarity and functionality of the brain. As a result, this herb is very useful for people who want to counter stress and anxiety without becoming too sleepy or lethargic.
Kava tea can be prepared from the leaves of this herb. Fresh Kava leaves can be eaten in the form of salads. There are many ways in which you can ingest this herb’s leaves so as to benefit from its medicinal properties.
Passion Flower
Passiflora Incarnata is the name given to this herb by botanists. Passionflower is a herb which is an efficacious remedy for anxiety and stress. Passionflower tea can be taken to make a person feel relaxed and more in control of his or her emotions in the face of anxiety or stress causing situations.
This herb works for countering both stress and anxiety because it contains flavons. Flavons are substances which combat stress and anxiety in people.
A flavon called chrysin in particular has been found by researchers to function as effectively as medication in eliminating mental and physical disturbances caused due to stress and anxiety. Passionflower can also be taken in the form of a tincture or tablet for dispelling stress, anxiety and the trauma that results from bearing the impact of both these conditions.
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Lavender
Lavandula Angustifolia is the botanical name assigned to this herb. Lavender is an ideal herbal remedy for both stress and anxiety. It prevents mental and physical trauma caused due to extreme anxiety.
Symptoms of anxiety such as sweating palms, increased heart rate and mental restlessness can be eliminated by using Lavender oil. Lavender oil can be used to combat stress as well. Dilute Lavender oil by adding some other oil such as Olive oil or Avocado oil to it.
Then, heat the diluted Lavender oil and use it to massage your body. Lavender oil relaxes the tense muscles and helps to ward off anxieties, worries and troubles. Its pleasant and fragrant aroma make it beneficial for lowering stress levels and inducing a relaxed frame of mind in the person receiving the massage. This herbal oil can even be added to bath water for good outcomes.
Skullcap
Skullcap is an effective herbal remedy for reducing anxiety and stress in people. This herb is also known as Helmet Flower because of the distinctive shape of its blossoms.
In fact, the name Skullcap denotes the helmets worn by medieval European soldiers during battle, which is why this herb has been named so. Skullcap is also known as Blue Pimpernel.
This herb is rich in active ingredients such as baicalin which lower stress and counter anxiety. Skullcap can be taken in the form of an extract for good results. Supplements containing this herb can also be consumed to benefit from its curative powers.