Using Herbs for Chronic Stress and Anxiety

Natural Cures can Ease Tension, Calm Nerves and Uplift Your Mood

Oct 1, 2009

Herbs offer a safe, time-tested alternative solution for the stress, anxiety and occasional mood disorders that for many of us are a part of daily life.

Stress and anxiety are the hallmarks of today's busy lifestyle. While most of us bemoan our fast-paced lives and say we want to return to quieter times, the fact is that the tempo of modern life shows few signs of slowing down. In order to keep up, we must continually strive to adapt. For centuries, herbal practitioners have used nature's herbs to calm nerves and uplift a "blue" mood. Today, these therapies from the past are offering many a gentle way to take the "edge" off without prescription medications. Herbs are gaining wide acceptance as an adjunct to traditional therapies for many conditions, including chronic pain and inflammation, and sinus and allergy conditions.

How Does Chronic Stress Affect Your Body?

Stress is usually defined as what happens when the demands on your body exceed its ability to cope. Our bodies are well-programmed to deal with stress events, via the biological "fight or flight" reaction, in which the adrenal glands provide a burst of energy designed to meet the demad with a strong reaction either toward or away from.

Problems can occur, however, when stress occurs in a repeated, or chronic, pattern. When levels of naturally-produced stress hormones remain elevated over a prolonged period of time, they begin to take a toll on several of the body's key systems. The results can be chronic inflammation, digestive disorders, and psychological dysfunction such as sleeplessness, irritability and mood disorders.

Herbs for Stress and Anxiety

Herbal "tension-tamers" are widely available both singly and in combination formulas. Perhaps the most effective single herb for stress comes from the Indian, or Ayurvedic, pharmacopeia. Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum), known in Sanskrit as Tulsi, is considered sacred in the Hindu religion. Holy Basil is classified as an "adaptogen," which means that it enhances the body's physiological capacity to respond to stress factors. As a result, the troublesome effects of chronic stress - such as nervousness, sleeplessness, and digestive disorders, can be minimized.

Herbs which often find their way into herbal stress-reducing formulas include chamomile, ashwagandha, kava kava, ginseng, St. John's Wort, rhodiola, valerian, and turmeric. Depending on your individual symptoms of stress, you will want to look for a formulation that provides the best fit for your needs. For example, herbal formulas containing valerian and chamomile are effective when anxiety and stress are accompanied by sleeplessness. Formulas containing St. John's Wort are effective when stress and anxiety lead to mild cases of depression.

Don't Ditch Your Prescriptions!

As you begin experimenting with herbal cures, keep your doctor advised. If you are taking anti-stress or anti-anxiety medication, by all means do not stop. Rather, try adding a small dose of an herb or herbal formula each day for at least two weeks. If you notice improvement with the herbs, advise your doctor. It may be that you can safely reduce the dosage of your prescription medications and allow the herbs to fill in the gap.

The copyright of the article Using Herbs for Chronic Stress and Anxiety in Herbal Medicine is owned by Lucy Tashman. Permission to republish Using Herbs for Chronic Stress and Anxiety in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.