Healthy Planet

I have made a list below of nine herbs that will help you in dealing with stress.

Camomile

This has a relaxing effect on the mind and body. It is an excellent sedative for anxiety and muscle tenseness. Many people enjoy its benefits in the form of camomile tea.

Valerian

This is the ideal tranquiliser. The rhizomes of the plant contain a volatile oil (which contains valerianic acid), volatile alkaloids (including chatinine), and iridoids (valepotriates), which have been shown to reduce anxiety and aggression. So effective is Valerian in relieving anxiety, while maintaining normal mental awareness, that it enables us to continue the most complicated mental exercise without drowsiness, loss of consciousness or depression. Valerian has been usefully taken before an examination or driving test.

Peppermint

This is effective for treating digestive discomfort; it relieves indigestion, flatulence, constipation and nausea. Peppermint is also a good mind tonic, helping to clarify ideas and focus concentration. It is also helpful in alleviating the symptoms of colds and influenza. Peppermint and camomile tea is thought to be effective in reducing the pain of tension headaches and migraines.

Vervain

This is not only effective against depression but also strongly supports the detoxifying functions of the liver. Its French name is still ‘Herb Sacre’; an old English name is ‘Holy Wort’ – it was one of the seven sacred herbs of the Druids. Today we know that the anti spasmodic qualities of Verbena are largely due to the glycoside verbenalin. Recent Chinese research has linked the plant with dilation of arteries in the brain, a likely explanation of its usefulness in treating migraine, especially when this problem is accompanied by liver congestion. It is certainly of use to treat exhaustion and depression.

St John’s Wort

St John’s Wort has analgesic and anti inflammatory properties, with important local applications to neuralgia and sciatica. Systematically, its sedative properties are based on the glycoside hypericin (a red pigment), which makes it applicable to neurosis and irritability. Many herbalists use it extensively as a background remedy.

Lemon Balm

This herb is both carminative and antispasmodic, and it is active particularly on that part of the vagus nerve that may interfere with the harmonious functioning of the heart and the stomach. Recent research has indicated that the action of the volatile oil begins within the limbic system of the brain and subsequently operates directly upon the vagus nerve and all the organs that are innervated by it. Accordingly, neurasthemia (complete nervous prostration), migraine and nervous gastropathy are amenable to its healing power.

Lime Flowers

These are thought to be helpful in dealing with anxiety, and hyperactivity. They are also effective in treating insomnia, high blood pressure and for soothing muscles and nerves.

Borage

This is an effective mind tonic, which helps to alleviate headaches, migraine and depression.

Oats

Oats is one of the great herbal restoratives of the nervous system. The plant contains a nervine alkaloid that is helpful in angina and in cardiac insufficiency. It has also been used in the treatment of addiction to morphine, narcotics, tobacco and alcohol.

Tags: Health, Herbs For Stress, Natural Way Health, Reduce Stress