Often an inescapable part of life, stress often carries emotional and physical manifestations. Some turn to prescription drugs or alcohol to ease the effects of stress in their lives. However, many take a look at herbs provided by the earth which may help ease the effects of stress.
Digestive Symptoms
One common side effect of stress is digestive discomfort. Chamomile tea is helpful for easing an upset stomach caused by stress. Known for its natural sedative quality, chamomile is also available as an herbal supplement.
With prolonged periods of stress, stomach ulcers can develop. Naturopathic Physician, Dr. Andrew Weil recommends drinking peppermint tea frequently throughout the day to help heal an ulcer. In his book, "Natural Health, Natural Medicine," Dr. Weil also mentions an herb known as DGL extract to protect the lining of the stomach. An herbal extract of licorice root, Dr. Weil writes of DGL's soothing and healing properties.
An unexpected suggestion from Dr. Weil was to add red pepper to the diet to ease stomach troubles caused by stress. He says that when consumed as a tea, cayenne pepper herb increases circulation to the area of discomfort and provides a local anesthetic effect.
Tension and Headaches
Useful for occasional insomnia, valerian root releases muscle tension in the shoulders. Tension headaches or stress-related migraines may be relieved by taking willow bark or feverfew herbs. Dr. Thomas Stearns Lee recommends drinking oat straw tea to soothe frazzled nerves. Dr. Lee also recommends the ginseng herb. He explains that ginseng works against stress in naturally strengthening the immune and nervous systems.
Circulation and the Nerves
Stress caused by feeling nervous and under pressure may cause rapid and shallow breathing. Self-destructive patterns of anger and fear develop in some who are deeply affected by stress. When stress causes anxiety with a racing heart, Dr. Lee recommends taking hawthorn berries or linden flowers as a tea or in supplement form.
High blood pressure may be one manifestation of these feelings. As a complement to a physician's care, there are herbs which are useful for lowering blood pressure. According to Phyllis Balch in "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" herbs that are helpful in regulating blood pressure include cayenne, chamomile, fennel, hawthorn berries, parsley and rosemary. Balch also recommends taking valerian root or hops to soothe the nerves.
References
- "Herbal Stress Relievers": Thomas Stearns Lee, NMD
- "Natural Health, Natural Medicine"; Dr. Andrew Weil; 2002.
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2000.
