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10 Powerful Herbs for Stress and Anxiety

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Do you know that tension, emotional instability, heart palpitations, and breathing problems are signs of anxiety and stress?

These unpleasant symptoms, like a hurricane, can hit you out of nowhere. They interfere with your ability to focus, rest, and gnaw at your peace of mind. 

Anxiety or stress may not be avoidable, but you can control it. Luckily, there are many herbal remedies out there that can help reduce stress.

Here are some of the best herbs for stress and anxiety:

  • St. John’s Wort
  • Passion Flower
  • Lavender
  • Licorice Root
  • Brahmi
  • Ginger
  • Ashwagandha
  • Chamomile
  • Rhodiola
  • Reishi Mushroom

Let’s dive a bit deeper into what causes stress and anxiety and learn more about each of these herbs!

Causes of Stress and Anxiety

Being stressed or anxious can be very frustrating. It could make a person uncomfortable in their day-to-day life. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of things that could raise one’s stress level. If care is not taken, it could lead to a health breakdown.

Different things trigger stress, and what triggers it varies from person to person. Here are some of the things that can cause stress and anxiety;

  • Unemployment
  • Spending long hours at work
  • Relationship issues (including a break-up or divorce)
  • Deadlines
  • Unpaid bills or financial problems
  • Insecurities
  • Upcoming examinations

The amount of stress one feels at a particular moment is usually dependent on some factors. Some of these factors are;

  • How you see your situation: This talks about your positivity or negativity towards a situation at hand. It also has a strong link with things you have experienced in the past.
  • How much pressure is on you: Working under pressure and reaching goals is stressful. This situation can result in unwanted stress and anxiousness of “what ifs…”
  • Emotions: An emotionally wrecked person will find it challenging to handle some situations. Your emotions are part of the ‘eye’ you use in looking at and into your problems.

Best Herbs for Stress and Anxiety

Using natural herbal medicines is a good way of tackling stress and anxiety. These herbs are not expensive, and they’ll give you desired results. They are natural, and as their names imply, they are very safe for use. They help the body to relax and also give relief to the body.

It is essential to have the herbs and spices (or ‘herbal remedies’) at hand. You can think of it as Mother Nature’s free medicine cabinet. Be rest assured, proper usage of these herbs will guarantee you ease and capability in handling stress-related health issues more calmly.

St. John’s Wort

This herb is one of the world’s famous herbal remedies for stress. It has been in use over a long period. St. John’s Wort is a yellow, star-shaped plant from which different liquid pills, tablets, and teas are extracted from. It is recognized for its ability to ease tension, tiredness, and nervousness. This herb is also a persistent, gentle nerve tonic that boosts the nervous system when taken regularly over an extended period (approximately three to six months).

It is worth knowing that the chemicals in this herb calm the nerves, prompt sleep, and generally relieve the body of stress. One interesting note about this herb is that it is not restricted to adults; as long as the dosage is correct, it’s safe for children to use.

Passion Flower

Passion flower is a protective antioxidant powerhouse. This supplement has been influential in treating stress, anxiety, hysteria, insomnia, etc. Passion flower’s elements have calming effects and can trigger sleep. This relaxant is also helpful in treating the bodily signs of stress, such as muscle spasms.

Insomnia (inability to sleep) is one of the causes of stress and anxiety. It leads to restlessness, emotional pressure, and sometimes, disorientation which can all be treated with passion flower. Passion flower contain chemicals that help lower the brain’s activity, resulting in the relaxation of the body and sound sleep. 

Lavender

Lavender is a plant that serves as a herb for anxiety and apprehension over centuries. One of the most common ways of using lavender is its essential oil form, aromatherapy. Massaging with this oil helps in the reduction of anxiety levels. It also infuses positivity. 

Lavender also serves as a sedative. While massaging, the brain relaxes and puts the body to sleep by reducing stress levels.

Licorice Root

Licorice is a kind of herb in some parts of Europe and Asia. It is one of the oldest herbs that has been used over the century. To get the extract, pound on the plant’s root, boil it, and then let it evaporate. A powder that contains glycyrrhizin, which contains medicinal properties, is gotten. This plant’s root has been used to treat different ailments like heartburn, coughs, viral infection and is also used as soothing relief. 

Licorice root prevents anxiety, depression, stress, and nervousness. It does this by helping the adrenal gland function (hormone levels are controlled in the adrenal gland). This root also contains some chemicals that help maintain balance in the nervous system. 

Brahmi

Brahmi is a potent herb with lots of antianxiety properties. This herb works by increasing the level of serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical found in the brain which boosts relaxation. 

Brahmi has the unique function of improving mental emotions. It also gives the body the ability to cope well with stress. It works as a sedative, but it doesn’t dull the mind. It instead makes it clear and also gives it a peaceful feeling.

Ginger

Ginger is one of the most common herbs used for different functions. In ginger, there is an antioxidant called gingerol. Gingerol counters harmful substances released into your body each time you feel stressed. Stressing oneself could lead to pain in the stomach due to gastric acid release. Ginger helps to counteract this acid.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an herb that enables the body to cope with stress and anxiety. It is an adaptogenic herb in one of the world’s oldest medicinal systems (Indian Ayurveda). This herb does not only deal with physical stress but also combats mental stress. It is also used for enhancing the body’s resilience.

Many reviews have been carried out on this herb’s potency, and the results have always been positive. Ashwagandha is also an excellent relaxant for people suffering from depression.

Chamomile

The use of chamomile as a relaxant goes as far back as the ancient Greeks and the Romans. Chamomile does not only relax the body; it also reduces the level of anxiety. Natural antioxidants present in this herb contribute toward chamomile’s calming effect.

Rhodiola

Rhodiola, also called “golden root,” is a plant whose root is used for medicine. It has been helpful for several decades in Asia, Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia to treat stress, depression, and fatigue. 

Rhodiola relieves stress by preventing the stress-induced depletion of essential neurotransmitters in the brain and balancing the body’s stress-response system.

This herb can also be used to increase energy levels or strength and boost mental capacity against depression. Depression occurs when the neurotransmitters are not balanced, and antidepressants are prescribed for its treatment. Rhodiola comes in handy here as it helps lift emotional instability, thereby reducing symptoms of depression.

Rhodiola is an herb whose effects are seen right from the third day of its usage. It shows quick progress in the symptoms for which it is used for.

Reishi Mushroom

In traditional Chinese medicine, reishi (commonly called “supernatural mushroom“) is helpful in “calming the body.” It is one of the earliest mushrooms to be used medicinally. Reishi mushrooms help reduce anxiety, alleviate insomnia, combat fatigue, and lower blood pressure.

Reishi mushroom contains antioxidants (molecules that help stop the cells’ damage) that boost immune responses. It also contains chemicals that have plenty of potential benefits. This feature helps treat different ailments like cancer, avian flu, high blood pressure, insomnia, stress, etc.

Also, this medicinal herb improves conditions associated with stress, e.g., dizziness, depression, etc. Reishi can be used to fight against these and improve one’s life quality.

Frequently Asked Questions About Herbs for Stress and Anxiety

Is herbal treatment effective for stress and anxiety?

Herbal remedies have been discovered to be effective for treating stress and anxiety. As they are called, these supportive herbs help balance the stress we feel and reduce anxiety. Herbs have come a long way to nourish the nervous system and help the body adapt to the stress it goes through.

Can children use these herbs for anxiety and stress control?

Herbs are used in the treatment of stress in children but with caution. Parents now employ herbs in taking care of their children’s several health conditions. These herbs or supplements are often referred to as having the same effect on children as adults. Giving children these herbs should be cautious.

Can I take any herb for use, or do I need to go to a doctor for a prescription?

Yes, you must see a doctor before you start taking any of these herbs. The doctor has to know if you have been on medication before and what sort of drugs they are. This step ensures that there’ll be no adverse reaction when a herb is prescribed. The doctor also needs to evaluate past illness cases, allergies, etc. Pregnant women or lactating mothers need to see the doctor instead of self-prescription of any of these herbs.

How is St. John’s Wort taken?

You can take St. John’s wort orally either in its capsule form or in liquid. It can also be taken as a tea if the herb is dried. Three hundred milligrams of St. John’s wort should be taken three times a day and not more. Taking an overdose can cause some trouble you wouldn’t like to run into. 

You should also not combine this herb with other antioxidant drugs. Also, some food that contains the tyramine chemical should be avoided—food like cheese, wine, soy sauce, etc. 

A Final Word From Wellness Nova

In our present world, stress has become routine. It continues throughout the day at work till you get back home at night when you try to catch some rest. Stress can come from the day’s rigor or other sources. 

Living in anxiety and stress can be very difficult to cope with. That’s why you need to explore various ways to cope with them. Natural remedies are very effective in fighting stress. They are great relaxants, and they help the whole of your nervous system to function correctly. Stress does not need to have the maximum control of your health as long as you can take the necessary steps to combat it.

Article by:

Wellness Nova Team

Our detailed review has been contributed to by multiple members of the Wellness Nova Review Team to ensure the best research and highest standard of quality. Have a good or a bad experience with one of the products? Please let us know, we love the feedback!

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