Adaptogens are natural botanicals that are known for their healing and restorative benefits. Adaptogens are known to help reduce the effects of stress and fatigue. So what adaptogenic herbs help reduce stress?
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5 Herbal Remedies to Relieve Anxiety
Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety, and too often, pharmaceutical intervention is considered the first step in treatment. More and more people, however, are choosing to take control of their own health and wellness by choosing more natural remedies.
Non-drug anxiety interventions like yoga, meditation, and herbs can offer you effective anxiety management more holistically to leave you feeling less unbalanced and ready to face life’s trials.
What anxiety really is–or isn’t.
For a condition that so many people struggle with, there’s a lot of misinformation about what anxiety actually feels like. It is not, necessarily, a feeling of fear or fright as some people believe. In fact, it can look like a range of actions and emotions, from mild but constant trepidation to irrational anger and overwhelming feelings of dread. In addition, anxiety is often associated with depression, creating an even trickier mental health issue to manage.
Why People Choose Herbs To Manage Their Anxiety
In addition to nutrition, our ancestors found that some plants offered certain properties that were beneficial to their health and well-being, making plants humanity’s first medicines. These plants have enjoyed use for centuries, without the addictive properties or intense psychoactive experiences offered by many anxiety drugs. People who choose to use herbs to support their body’s needs do so for a more holistic answer to wellness or in addition to the treatments offered by modern medicine.
Herbal Anxiety Remedies
It’s important to understand that there is no single “right way” to manage anxiety, especially with herbal remedies. While one popular herb may do nothing for you, another choice which others feel is ineffective could be your ticket to better mental wellness. The following, in no particular order, are some of the most often cited and most commonly available natural, plant-based remedies for anxiety.
- Kava Kava – The Kava plant comes from the Polynesian Islands area of the Pacific Ocean. There, it has been used for its ability to calm and sedate users for centuries. Limited studies have indicated that it can help treat anxiety, aid sleep, ease pain, and promote a more positive demeanor. Available in most health food stores in both the capsule form and as raw roots, it’s also a popular tea additive found in regular grocery stores. While limited use is generally considered safe, heavy use kava that has been refined with organic solvents could pose a risk to your liver.
- Kratom – Sometimes compared to Kava, but actually quite different, Kratom is gaining a loyal following for a variety of conditions. If you’ve heard of Kratom, it was most likely for its potential to aid those seeking to break the cycle of opioid addiction. Native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia, the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree are used by locals as a pain reliever, to calm the mind, and as a stimulant to help them get through the day. Those who use it to support the treatment of their anxiety cite its ability to help them feel both energetic and calmly positive as the keys to their success.
- Cannabis – More and more people are turning to legal cannabis to manage the symptoms of their anxiety and a host of other conditions. While its reputation has taken a hit the past hundred years, for thousands of years before that humans have used hemp for a variety of health conditions. More and more states are choosing to let their residents take advantage of legal marijuana. Meanwhile, the US federal government legalized industrial hemp and derivative products like high-quality CBD with the 2018 Farm Bill, following the footsteps of other countries around the world.
- Valerian – Valerian flowers are small, sweet-smelling pink and white blooms, whereas the root of the plant smells like used sweatsocks you forgot about in your gym bag. The root has also proven itself as a reliable sedative and anxiolytic. You’ll find valerian in the ingredients lists of many bedtime teas, sleep supplements, and calming blends wherever you buy vitamins. It helps promote relaxation and calmness, making it the right daily support for those suffering from regular anxiety.
- Chamomile – These small daisy-like blossoms are a staple of herbal remedies. Chamomile tea is frequently cited as a sleep aid because it relaxes and soothes, the same properties you want when fighting anxiety. If you’re on blood thinners, you’ll want to avoid this flower as a natural remedy, but otherwise, it presents a generally safe, mild starting point to treating your anxiety holistically.
Retaking Control Of Your Life
Managing anxiety can be a complicated and draining experience. It’s important to give yourself not just the herbal support but the holistic wellness support you need to break free of its clutches. That means self-care. While that includes interventions, such as these herbal remedies, don’t discount the importance of your regular maintenance. A balanced diet, exercise, and keeping up with daily personal hygiene will all help you get back on track.
Treating anxiety is not a destination but a journey for many people, and herbal remedies can be just what’s needed to help you on your way.
About the Author:
Tess DiNapoli is an artist, freelance writer, and content strategist. She has a passion for yoga and often writes about health and wellness, but also enjoys covering the fashion industry, collaborating with industry insiders and designers, getting insight on the latest trends.
5 Healthy Herbs And Spices To Include In Your Diet
With the thousands of plants growing on our lands, each with its own medicinal and health benefits, it becomes confusing which of these healthy herbs and spices you ought to include in your diet. The dilemma is understandable since it is only in the last few decades that the western world has accepted what advocates of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine have known for centuries – herbs, spices and other botanical ingredients help keep the human body healthy and disease-free.
Herbs and spices are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that give them their own unique protective and curative functions. Researchers have studied and recommended them to add to your food to maintain the balance our bodies need to stay healthy. Here are their recommendations. Some plant-derived natural products that are not strictly herbal are included because they are just too good to be left out.
Healthy Herbs and Spices to Include in the Daily Diet
Coconut Oil
The once scorned coconut oil is now touted to be a superfood. The fatty acids found in this tropical fruit can help lessen the symptoms of brain conditions like Alzheimer’s and epilepsy. It also helps fight obesity by hastening the burning of fat.
Scientific studies have shown that coconut oil in various forms kills bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that cause influenza, throat infections, skin diseases, fungal infections, gum diseases and many others. Oral ingestion of coconut oil helps reduces cholesterol levels and keeps blood sugar level normal.
Coconut oil can be added to vegetable dishes or take one tablespoon of extra virgin coconut oil orally for a healthy heart.
Turmeric
Also known as Indian saffron, turmeric is a yellow-orange perennial plant that is native to Asia. It grows underground and sends its shoots upwards. Turmeric contains curcumin, the spice that gives curry its yellow color. It has been proven to ease the pain of osteoarthritis and may also help heal eye inflammation, reduce the risk for diabetes, colorectal cancer, dyspepsia, gum inflammation, heart attack following bypass surgery, skin rashes and stomach ulcers.
Add it to your cooking as much as possible.
Cayenne Pepper
Or what we know as red hot chili pepper, has capsaicin as its active ingredient along with vitamins A, B6, C, E and a host of minerals. Aside from adding spice to your meals, it aids in weight loss by suppressing the appetite, gives relief from muscle and post-surgical pain and helps in treating psoriasis, migraine, allergies, and colds.
Cayenne pepper can be added to any dish if you want it spicy.
Cloves
Cloves are the bright red to brown flower buds of the clove tree that grows abundantly in many Asian countries. It is popularly used to treat toothache by direct application to the gums. Cloves are added as spice in meat, fish, chicken and vegetable dishes and used regularly, it can improve digestion and enhance libido. As tea, it acts as an expectorant to cough up phlegm and kill the germs that cause sore throat.
Cloves are used whole or in powder form to enhance the flavor in food.
Cinnamon
This is the spice that comes from the bark of the Cinnamomum tree. Taken routinely, it improves brain function and prevents Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s or delays its onset. Cinnamon also regulates blood sugar levels to protect against diabetes, lowers cholesterol levels and has high anti-inflammatory properties that protect the body against infections.
Cinnamon in powder form can be added to coffee, fruits, oatmeal and other snack foods.
You may also like “4 Healthy Habits To Get You Off To A Good Start Everyday“
5 Natural and Herbal Dental Care Treatments for Home Use
Good oral hygiene should always include regular dental checkups and cleanings. Between your appointments, however, you can use a few natural and herbal dental solutions for day-to-day care.
Maintain the health of your mouth with herbal preparations, supplements, and even a massager in the case of a bad bite. Here are five home remedies that might work for you.
1. Halitosis
Halitosis or bad breath is the result of bacterial reactions to food in the mouth. Separate from over-the-counter mouthwash, try the following home-made recipe.
Combine 1 teaspoon each of rosemary, peppermint, and lavender. Mix the herbs well, then place 1 teaspoon of the mixture in a cup of boiling water. Steep 15 minutes, then strain. Cool and use instead of a commercial mouthwash.
2. Sore gums
Calendula and echinacea can soothe sore gums and reduce inflammation. Dab the affected areas with calendula tincture diluted with an equal amount of water. For sore gums, make a strong infusion and swish it in the mouth for several minutes. You can either spit it out or swallow it.
3. Strengthening teeth
Vitamin C deficiency can contribute to breakdown of connective tissue that produces blood vessel walls, bone matrix, cartilage, collagen, and dentin. Herbs that provide nutrients for strengthening the teeth can be taken as capsules. They include alfalfa, blue green algae, horsetail, nettles, oatstraw, and spirulina.
4. Gum disease
Supplements can also be good for your oral health. Coenzyme Q10 may improve circulation to the gums and help prevent gum disease.
It’s also a powerful antioxidant. Recommended dosage is 60 to 100 milligrams daily in capsule form.
5. Bad bite
Malocclusion or “bad bite” may be treated by a completely natural method that makes it possible to repair and even regrow teeth that may be the cause. This is a completely natural method, based on science.
Apply a low-frequency ultrasound source like that produced by a Novasonic Massager (which you can find on eBay) to stimulate the gums around the misaligned tooth area. Directions can be found here.
Orthodontic treatment for bad bite
While the above treatment might assist with a bad bite, it’s not a cure in all cases. Ward Orthodontics can provide you with a much more effective remedy for a bad bite, since this condition is not only unattractive, but can be emotionally painful because it prevents a person from being able to bite, chew, and speak properly.
The information in this blog is solely for informational purposes. It is not intended to serve as medical advice. It is always wise to consult with your dentist or orthodontist when considering any of these natural and herbal treatments.
