Herbs for Stress Relief

Herbs for stress relief have been popular remedies for generations. The plant kingdom acts as our ally in helping ease feelings of stress and everyday anxiety. It helps protect our bodies from the damaging effects of distress.

When you want to relax and build your mental and physical reserves reach for your favorite stress herbs.

Using Herbs for Stress

For best quality, herbalists prefer to use most herbs in liquid form rather than capsules. The more an herb is ground, the less time it holds its benefits.

Some herbalists believe that when you to taste your herbs, your body knows what it's getting. There is a transfer of physical and energetic information. I also believe it creates more of a conscious connection, or partnership, between you and the plants.

One of the great things about using herbs for stress relief is that there are so many to choose from. You can match up the herbs specific benefits with your needs. Several stress relieving herbs are also herbal anti-anxiety remedies. You can choose a single herb or combine them into capsules, syrups, tinctures, extracts, and my personal favorite - teas.

There's nothing like a soothing cup of hot freshly brewed herb tea to take the edge off a stressful day.

The art of making and drinking tea is relaxing and centering in and of itself.

Gently guide your mind to focus on the act of creating your remedy. When given your full attention, this ritual becomes part of your healing process and calms your mind.

For a deeper level of support, infusions of healthy herbs replenish much needed minerals, vitamins and water to shore up your adrenals during times of stress.

Sidebar:

An herb is really only a 'tea' if it comes from the Camellia sinensis, or tea plant. Varieties include oolong, green and black. Otherwise, herbal brews are called infusions or tisanes. (But just about everyone calls them tea.)

Specific Herbs for Stress

When using herbs for stress relief or as herbal anti-anxiety remedies, you want to match up the herbs specific benefits with your needs. You can use just one herb or combine them. Many stress-relieving herbs are readily available as combination remedies.

The following pages include a 'snapshot' description of popular stress herbs and their actions. I highly recommend that you read the full profile for each herb, including the precautions before choosing herbs for your needs.

If you have a medical condition and/or take medication, please consult with your doctor before using herbal stress teas and remedies.

Herbs for stress relief are generally quite safe, but they can still be contra-indicated for your situation.

There are two types of stress herbs. When used together they offer a broad range of support.

Adaptogenic herbs act as a tonic. They support the organs and systems affected by stress and help your mind and body be more resistant during stressful times. Featured herbs include ashwagandha, holy basil, a a schisandra juice recipe and more.

Calming herbs or Nervines have a positive effect on the nervous system. They may reduce feelings of nervousness, anxiety and stress. These stress relieving herbs include kava kava, lemon balm, chamomile, hops and more.

Lavender is perhaps the best known and most loved stress herb. It is often distilled as essential oils. Flowers are also used in relaxing tea blends too. Keep a potted plant nearby. When stressed, snip off a few leaves or flowers, roll in your hands to release the aroma and inhale deeply. Lovely.

Vibrational Stress Herbs

Although everything has and is energy, there are forms of herbal remedies that act as vibrational or energetic remedies. That simply means they work on your energetic instead of a physical level. Some work at both levels. If this interests you, give them a try.

These include:

If vibrational remedies are new to you, I suggest you start with essential oils. These are physical remedies as well as vibrational remedies. They are also used externally, which makes the process more interactive and enjoyable. Flower essences, homeobotanicals and homeopathics are usually taken internally and choosing the remedy is more precise.

Aromatherapy is a hugely popular way of using herbs for stress relief - and with good reason. Not only do the essential oils for anxiety and stress smell heavenly, they are quite effective and versatile.

Essential oils can be massaged into your skin, breathed in, and added to a hot bath. Paired with a nice cup of tension taming tea makes for a wonderfully calming combination!