As the number of synthetic and pharmaceutical sleep aids increases, many people are turning to the age-old tradition of herbal medicine for relieving stress and tension. While many herbs have been used for their calming properties, three in particular are widely used for their abilities to reduce insomnia, anxiety, depression and other tension-related ailments. These herbs are easy to find, relatively inexpensive and come without the list of side effects associated with synthetic calming drugs.
Chamomile
A favorite among tea drinkers, chamomile is a mild sedative famous for its calming benefits on nerves and stomach ailments. According to the MedlinePlus database organized by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, more than 100 separate ailments and conditions have been traditionally treated by chamomile. While only 15 of these have undergone scientific testing, the use of chamomile as a sleep aid and nerve tonic is well documented and can be attributed to the sedative qualities of the herb. Traditional Chinese medicine recommends drinking teas with chamomile before bed to promote deep sleep, or in any other situation requiring a mild calming effect, though individuals with ragweed allergies should avoid the herb. Chamomile tea is widely available and can be purchased in loose leaf or bag form or, for best results, harvested in small quantities in the wild.
Valerian
A hardy perennial, valerian is easily identified outdoors by its sweet-scented white and pink flowers. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, valerian was introduced to the United States by European settlers because of its useful qualities as a gentle sleep aid. Often prescribed by homeopaths and clinical herbalists to patients suffering from nervous tension and panic attacks, valerian has also been a historical treatment for migraines, pain and convulsion symptoms. For a calming nerve tonic tea, add 2 to 3g of dried valerian root and let it steep in boiling water for five minutes. Valerian tinctures produce a similar sedative effect and can be safely taken three to five times a day in 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. amounts. Though widely regarded as a safe herb, because of its minimal interactions with prescription medications or other pharmaceuticals, valerian should be used cautiously after surgery.
Kava
Perhaps the most potent of the three calming herbs, kava is a central nervous system depressant famous for its sedative effects in the limbic (emotion) system. Used for centuries throughout Asia and the western Pacific, kava and kava extracts have been scientifically proven to reduce short-term anxiety and tensions related to stress when taken occasionally. Due to its potency as a numbing agent and sedative, high dosages over prolonged periods can cause irritation in the liver and can be generally detrimental to health. Traditional Chinese medicine typically associates the root of the kava plant for safe consumption in small quantities---chewing on the root, for instance, is a common method of relieving tongue and throat pain, as it releases a number of numbing agents. For individuals requiring a quick calming effect, take a dropper of kava tincture up to three times a day, up to three days a week, until the symptoms of stress have been eliminated.
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