We live in stressful times where it is almost impossible to relax. Our workaholic lifestyle, food habits, and pollution tend to have an intense effect on our overall health. Several factors from our everyday lives could contribute to mental health ailments such as anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders.
While there are over-the-counter medications available to treat these ailments, raiding your herbs and spice rack could allow you to harness the power of some miracle plants that can provide safe and efficient relief.
Here are five such potent herbs you can utilize to cope with symptoms of stress and anxiety naturally.
1. Lavender
The enticing fragrance of the lavender herb dipped in hues of blue is the perfect way to cope with stress and anxiety at home. It has been put to use for many years to treat various ailments, including fatigue, insomnia, and anxiety.
This is because the natural oils of the herb interact with the body to induce intense relaxation. The compounds linalool and linalyl acetate from lavender can ease muscle tension and pain which helps to relax the body. They interact with chemical receptors in the brain to initiate a calming effect that helps to cope with anxiety disorders.
A double-blind, randomized study from 2010 shows that lavender could effectively treat anxiety symptoms as effectively as over-the-counter medication.
Lavender essential oils are popularly used in aromatherapy to induce a serene and blissful state of mind that helps heal. A few drops of the oil in the bath can ease discomfort and improve sleep. Lavender brewed into tea can also be useful to alleviate stress.
2. Cannabis
Cannabis is a powerful herb that has many medicinal and therapeutic benefits. The recent legalization of cannabis across many states has enabled users to access the plant and utilize it to treat several ailments, including stress, anxiety, and PTSD.
While shopping at a marijuana dispensary, you can identify several strains that have potent cannabinoid, terpene, and flavonoid blends to induce relaxing and calming properties that help overcome anxiety. The plant can also improve the quality of sleep and appetite which are symptoms of anxiety and depression.
One of the most popular cannabinoids that are known for their anti-anxiety benefits is CBD. This non-psychoactive compound interacts with the serotonin, vanilloid, and GPR 55 receptors that influence pain, inflammation, sleep, appetite, and mood. It helps increase the levels of endocannabinoids in the system that influences the central and peripheral nervous systems. It eases muscle tension, pain, and insomnia, and helps individuals to feel calm and blissful.
A study aimed to understand CBD’s benefits for sleep disorders and anxiety suggests that about 57 out of 103 adults showed decreased symptoms of anxiety after three months of dosage. The combination of terpenes, such as myrcene with CBD, can elevate its impact due to the entourage effect and fight the effects of stress.
There are many forms of consuming cannabis that includes capsules, tinctures, oil, and edibles such as gummies.
3. Chamomile
Nothing compares to a soothing cup of chamomile tea that can lighten your mood and keep you calm and relaxed for the rest of the day. The herb was an active part of ancient Greek and Roman medicine and was used to treat various ailments, including gastrointestinal disorders, hemorrhoids, ulcers, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, and fever.
The herb has mild sedative properties that help relieve inflammation and pain and relax the muscles to aid in sleep. The presence of apigenin binds with the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain and creates this effect. The chemical helps to calm the mind and body and helps cope with anxiety effectively.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia shows that the use of chamomile supplements over eight weeks shows significant improvement in anxiety symptoms. The relaxing properties of the phenolics and antioxidant compounds of the herb can reduce the effects of stress and help cope with headaches and loss of appetite.
Chamomile is commonly consumed in the form of tea. A herbal brew containing about 2-3 tablespoons of dried chamomile in hot water can provide excellent relaxation and stress relief.
4. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an ancient herb with huge significance in ayurvedic medicine. The plant has been an innate part of this alternate medicine for over 2000 years. It is known to be a powerful nerve tonic that can support resilience. Its nourishing effects can improve the foundational support of the complete nervous system and cope with the effects of oxidative stress on the body.
The adaptogenic properties of the herb help in coping with mental and physical stress. The plant heals and protects the body to restore energy levels and enable better hormonal balance. It is also known for its properties to alleviate depression and anxiety. The compounds present in the herb interact with the body to improve sleep, ease pain, balance mood disorders, and stress, and provide extraordinary relaxation.
A review of five randomized clinical trials shows that subjects exposed to 120 to 1200 mg of ashwagandha powder for over six to sixteen weeks showed dramatic improvement in stress response.
Ashwagandha is used in powder form to prepare a tea that can have relaxing and stress-relieving effects. The powder is also available in capsule form. Regular use of the herb can improve overall energy and uplift mood.
5. L-Theanine
Theanine, commonly found in green, black, and matcha tea, is a miracle ingredient for stress relief. The compound helps improve the various functions in the body to promote balance and better health. It boosts the GABA neurotransmitter levels in the brain that communicates between the brain and the nervous system. It influences users’ anxiety levels by reducing the risk of panic attacks and keeps them feeling calm and happy.
When consumed, the compound easily passes the blood-brain barrier to interact with the brain cells that influence cognitive functions. Studies suggest that theanine can increase alpha waves in the brain which enables them to improve relaxation and calmness without having a sedative effect.
Enjoying green or matcha tea can be an effective way of consuming theanine. You can also explore supplement capsules that provide the right dosage of the chemical to cope with anxiety and stress.
Conclusion
The advantage of choosing these incredible herbs for treating your mental health ailments is that they can help cope with the symptoms without causing any side effects.
They also help improve your overall health and come without any risk of addiction or abuse. Induce these herbs into your diet to fight stress and anxiety easily.
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