Medicinal use of herbs to promote relaxation and manage stress is common practice in alternative and complementary medicine. Such uses are derived from folklore where herbs, such as lavender, were used for their aroma therapeutic relaxation benefits, and often used to fill pillows resulting in enhanced sleep and reduced anxiety. Herbs can also be ingested by preparing teas and liquid extracts, or taking capsules of powdered herbs. The "Health State" magazine article "Herbs, The Roots of Medicine" maintains that herbs are indeed the roots of all modern medicine. Highly recommended to manage stress are chamomile, ginseng and lavender.
Chamomile
The active ingredients found in chamomile's dried and fresh flowers contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and smooth-muscle relaxing action attributed to stress reduction. Most often ingested as a tea, chamomile can be taken three to four times daily between meals. You can use herbal tea blends containing chamomile if you require flavors, such as peppermint or ginger, to enhance enjoyment. Since chamomile is a member of the daisy family, you should not use the herb if you have any allergies to daisies.
Lavender
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that lavender essential oil can be used to treat anxiety and stress. Also possessing antibacterial and antiviral properties, lavender oil is sometimes used in integrative medicine such as massage. Massage with lavender essential oils can manage your stress by stabilizing your mood, improving your concentration, and reducing your anxiety. The University also suggests the aroma therapeutic use of lavender to relax the activity of the nervous system, improve sleep quality and promote relaxation, all of which help to manage stress.
Ginseng
Ginseng is an adaptogen, which is an agent the helps the body handle stress more effectively, thereby reducing the negative effects it has on your system. As an alternative and complementary medicine for stress reduction, it is usually sold as panax ginseng. The active ingredient, ginsenosides, is believed to mitigate the negative effects of stress and enhance intellectual and physical performance according to the University of Michigan.
