Best Herbs For Anxiety and Stress

By Rose Swartz April 8, 2023 17 mins read 135 Views

Herbs can be a great way to alleviate anxiety and stress. Depending on the herb, they may calm you, reduce muscle tension or increase mental clarity.

Some of these herbs act as adaptogens to help your body and brain adapt to stressful situations, while others have an anti-anxiety effect that improves some of the physical symptoms of anxiety such as tension, sleeplessness, headaches and fatigue.

1. Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the most popular herbal supplements for anxiety and stress. It’s most often used as a tea but also can be taken in tinctures and extract form.

Chamomile has been shown to alleviate anxiety, improve sleep, and reduce symptoms of menstrual cramps. It also soothes the digestive tract, easing gas and colic pains.

The sedative effects of chamomile are believed to be due to the polyphenol apigenin, which binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain.

Some people who take chamomile may experience side effects like nausea, dizziness, and allergic reactions. The herb is also known to interact with cyclosporine and warfarin (blood thinners).

2. Passionflower

Passionflower is a calming herb that can be used to alleviate anxiety and stress without the side effects that are associated with anti-anxiety medications. It also works great for overcoming insomnia when taken with other calming herbs, such as valerian and lemon balm.

It contains a number of natural compounds that calm the mind, muscles and nervous system. These include alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols and the amino acid maltol.

The plant has been used in Europe and Central America for centuries to treat restlessness and agitation, as well as to soothe inflammation in wounds. Native Americans use parts of the plant to treat boils, earaches and liver problems.

Passionflower can be taken as a tea, liquid extract, tablet or spray. It also has a high GABA content which helps calm excitatory nerve activity in the brain. This makes it a great addition to any calming herbal blend.

3. Kava Kava

Kava is a shrub from the South Pacific islands that's been used for centuries to promote psychological and physical relaxation. Its roots contain bioactive compounds called kavapyrones that have similar effects to alcohol and certain anti-anxiety medications.

Researchers believe kava works by raising levels of GABA in the brain. It also boosts cognition and short-term memory, which can help improve mood and reduce stress.

It can also reduce irritability and depression. However, you shouldn't use kava if you're taking other psychoactive drugs or have liver problems.

You can take kava in liquid, tinctures, or standardized extracts, or as a capsule or tablet. It's safe for most people to take kava in small amounts, but it can cause mild side effects like dilated pupils, red eyes, nausea and drowsiness.

4. Tulsi

Tulsi, also known as holy basil, is a powerful adaptogen that can alleviate anxiety and stress. The rosmarinic acid found in this herb soothes the mind, improves sleep quality and promotes general well-being.

It also strengthens the central nervous system and improves concentration. This is because tulsi reduces stress levels through its immunostimulant capacity and antioxidant properties.

This herb has also been shown to combat metabolic stress through normalizing blood glucose and lowering cholesterol levels.

Tulsi has also been shown to protect the brain from chemical and physical stress due to industrial pollution, heavy metals, excessive noise and strenuous exercise. It can also promote memory and cognition through its anxiolytic and antidepressant properties.

5. Reishi Mushroom

Known as the mushroom of immortality, reishi is one of the best immune system balancing herbs. It helps reduce stress, improves sleep and can even help with fatigue!

It also stimulates your immune system and increases the number of white blood cells in your body, which help fight off infections. It also contains beta glucans, complex sugars that can slow or prevent tumor growth.

Reishi mushrooms also have anxiolytic effects, meaning they can relieve stress and anxiety. This is backed by research in mice, which show that reishi extracts can help rodents stay calm in an elevated plus maze.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you make medicinal herbs?

There are many different methods to make herbs into medicinal products. The most common method is to dry the herbs in a warm, dark location before grinding them into a powder or extracting their essential oils. This can be accomplished by hanging herbs upside down in bunches, laying herbs on a drying screen, or using a food dehydrator.

Once dried and ground, herbs can be stored in airtight containers for future use. Other herbs may require special preparation, such as infusing herbs into oil or vinegar, making tinctures with alcohol, or distilling herbs to create essential oils.

Learning the correct techniques for preparing herbs can help ensure that they retain their medicinal properties and potency for optimal health benefits. Using fresh herbs is usually best, but herbs can also be grown in a pot or garden and harvested when they are mature. Herbs can be purchased at health food stores, online retailers, and specialty shops.

No matter where herbs come from, the preparation techniques remain the same; drying herbs in a warm location followed by grinding or extracting the essential oils. You can make your medicinal herbs with the right herbs and preparation techniques.

When making herbal preparations, it is essential to remember that herbs can vary in potency, so always dilute herbs before use or follow the directions on any product label. Additionally, herbs are best used fresh, as many of their beneficial components degrade over time.

Following safety guidelines and paying attention to the potency of herbs can help ensure that you get the most benefit from your herbs. With a bit of practice and preparation, anyone can make therapeutic herbs with medicinal properties. Remember that herbs should never replace any medical advice or treatments prescribed by a doctor. Always consult a licensed healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally.

Why do some love coriander and others don't?

Some people hate coriander, while others love it. But why?

Coriander is an herb that grows in warm climates throughout the world. It is native to both North America and Europe.

The leaves of the plant are used in cooking and can also be found in condiments such as salad dressings and dips. When added to food, coriander provides a spicy flavor.

Many people love its taste because it adds a fresh flavor to dishes without overpowering them. Others dislike the smell and taste of coriander because they find it too strong.

But there is more to coriander than meets the eye. There are two types of coriander – sweet and hot. Sweet coriander is milder and sweeter tasting compared to hot coriander.

Sweet coriander is usually grown for its seeds, often called cilantro. This type of coriander is easy to grow and is very low maintenance.

Hot coriander is most commonly used in Indian cuisine. Hot coriander gives a rich flavor to curries and sauces, making it popular among Indians.

Some people say that hot coriander tastes better than sweet coriander. However, the opposite is true for those who prefer sweet coriander.

There are many reasons why people enjoy different varieties of coriander. For example, one person may love the taste of coriander, while another enjoys the aroma.

Whether you like sweet or hot coriander, you might be surprised to learn that you can buy both types of coriander online.

Is eating raw basil good for you?

I'm sure everyone knows that fresh herbs are great for cooking but did you know that you could eat them too? Raw, uncooked herbs are packed full of nutrients and vitamins that we normally have to cook.

They contain more antioxidants than any fruit or vegetable. And they also help our immune systems stay strong and healthy.

The best way to enjoy these delicious little green gems is to eat them raw from the garden. But there's nothing wrong with enjoying them cooked, either. They taste even better when sautéed in olive oil and served alongside pasta or rice.

There are lots of ways to incorporate raw herbs into recipes. Add them to salads, soups, sandwiches, wraps, omelets, stir-fries, and pesto.

Just make sure you wash them well first!

What are the disadvantages of using herbs?

Herbs are a great way to keep your body healthy because they contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, amino acids, phytonutrients, polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, essential oils, carotenoids, sterols, and sterolins. Some even contain cannabinoids.

But there are also lots of side effects associated with herbal remedies. For example, taking too much herb could cause liver damage or even death. Herbal supplements may interact with prescription drugs, which means that they might affect how well the drug works.

Some herbs can interfere with blood clotting, while others may increase bleeding when taken with anticoagulants (blood thinners).

There are also safety concerns for pregnant women and children.

The bottom line is that herbs aren't safe for everyone. If you're considering trying them out, do your homework. Look up each product's side effects and warnings and read reviews online.

Statistics

The herbs market is highly competitive, with over 1,000 herb suppliers and over 15,000 herbs products available in the United States alone.
The global herbs market is expected to reach more than $125 billion by the end of 2025.

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How To

How To Upcycle Herbs After Making Infusions, Oils, Tinctures, And More?

There are more ways to use herbs than you might realize. This is why it's essential to keep an open mind when learning how to make herbal infusions, oils, tinctures, and more.

You'll find that there are many methods for making these products, and even though they may seem similar, each method has its benefits.

For example, some methods include creating decoctions, boiling water or alcohol with the herb(s), and letting them simmer for a while. These infusions are solid and potent because they contain higher concentrations of active compounds.

Another type of infusion includes macerating the herb(s), which means soaking them in liquid for a few hours or even overnight. Macerations tend to produce milder results because the plant material isn't boiled.

Some cold-infused forms involve steeping herbs in cool liquids such as ice cubes or cold water. Cold infusions are gentler than hot ones, often used to treat minor ailments.

Herbal oil extraction involves heating the herb(s) to release the essential oils. You can either do this yourself or have someone help you out with it.

Finally, there are tinctures made by mixing herbs with alcohol. They're usually taken orally and are very effective for treating coughs, colds, and flu symptoms.

The best way to learn how to create infused products is to experiment with various techniques. Each technique offers a different potency and effectiveness, depending on the herb(s) you choose.

Once you've tried a few different methods, you'll begin to develop your preferences. In time, you'll be able to determine which techniques work well for you and which aren't worth pursuing.