Anxiety can become a vicious cycle.
Chronic stress can make your adrenal glands run on overdrive. This leads them to produce more cortisol. Did you know that cortisol is sometimes referred to as “the death hormone.”
Don’t get me wrong.
Cortisol is necessary for life. Without it we would die.
But higher-than-normal cortisol levels are bad. This can lead to a variety of health problems, such as heart disease, stroke and possibly cancer as well.
People with too much of this hormone circulating in their system are also at increased risk for infection, as their immune response is lowered.
Have you ever noticed that you’re most likely to get sick during periods of stress? I have.
Low-level stress that continues over an extended period of time can also lead to weight gain and sleep problems.
It becomes a vicious cycle.
Unfortunately, living with insomnia can be extremely stressful, in and of itself. You lie in bed waiting for sleep to come. You worry it won’t. In the early morning hours, you’re still wide awake, thinking about all the things you have to do the next day.
This, in turn, contributes to the cortisol overload, making a good night’s sleep ever more elusive.
Prescription sleeping pills, as you’re probably aware, carry the real risk of addiction.
Holistic health experts also warn us that sleeping pills don’t improve the quality of your sleep. So, oftentimes, you don’t wake up feeling refreshed.
Sleeping pills may offer some temporary shuteye. But they aren’t a good long-term solution.
Herbs that Help Anxiety
(This post contains affiliate links, and if you purchase anything I receive a referral fee, at no extra cost to you.)
Right now, we seem to be living in very stressful times. Like we haven’t seen in many decades.
However, I also believe God provides. Never before, in the history of mankind, have we been able to access information on the the numerous over-the-counter herbal anxiety remedies.
We are also able to easily buy these relatively inexpensive formulas online.
Please be aware that I’m not a medical professional.
It’s important to work with your own doctor on sleep and anxiety solutions. This is especially necessary if you take medication, since some supplements may not mix well with prescription drugs, or may render them less effective.
Pregnant women, in general, should avoid herbal remedies.
I can, however, point you to research if you’d like to share it with your doctor.
One 2010 study published in Nutrition Journal found that herbal supplements are an “effective method” for treating anxiety “without the risk of serious side effects. (See link below.)
Natural Anxiety Supplements
There are different brands of supplements to choose from.
My advice on picking an herbal sleep remedy (in addition to working with your doctor) is to read about it and then go with the one you think will work best for you
In general, most herbalists recommend taking blends, as opposed to single herbs. That’s because of the synergy that exists among the different ingredients.
Since I’m not a doctor, though, I can’t give medical advice or promise that any product or supplement will help reduce nervous tension.
All I can do is share my personal experience with herbal anxiety remedies, for informational purposes only. For me, natural remedies help take the edge off, without drugs.
But please never ever stop taking an antidepressant medication or any other drug without your doctor’s approval.
Adaptogens to Help Stress
If you’re in the market for an herbal stress aid, you may want to look for a brand that contains “adaptogens.”
Adaptogens are plants, used for centuries, believed to counter the effects of physical and mental stress.
I’ve had a fair share of stress in my life, as well as an “incurable” nerve inflammation.
My journey back to health included taking adaptogens, such as ashwagandha. This Indian Ayurvedic herb has a reputation as being able to soothe the nerves. I take it frequently, along with chamomile, to help me sleep.
Oregon’s Wild Harvest Stress Guard Natural Anxiety Remedy
Ashwagandha, fortunately, is now widely available outside of India.
You can now find it in various formulas, made from multiple herbs that boost one another’s strength. There’s a certain wisdom in taking multiple herbal remedies together. It’s believed that this results in a more powerful synergy, compared to taking single herbs alone.
The herbal formula I’ve taken for stress contains ashwagandha, plus a number of other herbs such as holy basil. This is also known as “tulsi. Traditional Indian Ayurveda considers tulsi “The Queen of Herbs.”
Vitamins For Anxiety and Stress
Oregon’s Wild Harvest Stress Guard also contains natural B-complex vitamins. These nutrients are depleted with stress. They also function as natural calming aids.
This formula appears to have helped me. It also seems to relieve my chronic nerve inflammation. I don’t take it every day though. Just when I feel it’s needed.
The beauty of botanical medicine is that it utilizes the whole plant, which likely contains compounds that work together in ways we’re not aware of.
This is different than taking a pharmaceutical drug, often made from single isolates found in plants. Unlike many other herbal supplements, Oregon’s Wild Harvest Stress Guard contains whole herbs, and not laboratory-created isolates.
Herbs Good for Anxiety
We are blessed to have access to so many natural remedies that act as emotional balm to relieve the pressures of everyday life. A partial list of other medicinal plants good for soothing frazzled, overworked nerves include.
- Lemon verbena
- Hops
- Valerian
- Lemon Balm
- Tulsi (Holy Basil
- Passionflower
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use herbal remedies, unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
For Additional Reading
Nutritional and Herbal Supplementation
