Big changes in life can be a challenging time. But it can also make us take a step back, and think about the things that really matter. In times of stress, I rely on family, friends, and some simple herbal allies to get me through. When a life-changing event occurs, it can be easy to get overwhelmed, stressed, and micro-focused on the issue at hand. When I turn to my family in times such as these, I can always count on at least one of them saying "Things always work out as they should", or "The universe is working for you, and you needed this to grow." While it may seem unhelpful at the time, once I take a step back, I can see their point. Stressful times allow us to see what really matters in our lives. For me, it reminds me of everything I am grateful for. I get a chance to reevaluate my choices, and make sure they are still in alignment with my greater life goals. In this world, it's so easy to get sidetracked.
One thing I am forever grateful for, is my connection to the natural world, and the plants around me. They teach me so much, and I am so lucky to be in a position where I can share that love and knowledge- the wisdom of the plants that grow all around us.
In this article, I'll go over some of my favorite herbs and plant allies that are my go-to when I need to be calm, centered, and grounded.
Chamomile
Chamomile is such a wonderful herb that is useful for so many things. It is safe for even very young children and helps with a range of problems including indigestion, stress, sleeplessness, anxiety, pain, fever, toothaches, and more.
Chamomile is fun and easy to grow in the garden. After planting once, you'll find it popping up throughout your entire yard year after year, as it easily propagates itself. You can start chamomile from seed any time during the growing season and soon begin popping the little flower heads off to dry for tea.
Chamomile can also be used in skin washes for inflamed, irritated skin or pink eye.
Made into a sleep pillow, chamomile in addition to lavender makes a lovely restful sleep aid.
Cedar
Cedar remains a staple in herbal medicine. Its essential oils are believed to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a go-to for respiratory health and stress relief.
In contemporary herbal medicine, cedar continues to be a valued botanical for its diverse applications:
Respiratory Support: Cedar's essential oils are known for their expectorant properties, aiding in clearing respiratory congestion. Inhalation of cedar oil vapors or using it in steam inhalation can be beneficial for respiratory health.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects: The anti-inflammatory properties of cedar may contribute to its use in alleviating conditions like arthritis. Some herbal practitioners recommend cedar-infused topical solutions for joint pain and inflammation.
Stress Relief: Cedar is celebrated for its calming aroma, which is believed to have a positive impact on reducing stress and anxiety. Many herbal enthusiasts incorporate cedar essential oil into aromatherapy practices or use it in diffusers to create a soothing environment.
Antimicrobial Properties: Cedar's natural antimicrobial qualities make it a popular choice for addressing skin issues. Cedar oil may be diluted and applied topically to help with minor skin irritations, cuts, or insect bites.
Insect Repellent: Cedar's historical use as a natural insect repellent persists today. Cedarwood essential oil is often employed as a safer alternative to chemical-based insect repellents, providing protection against mosquitoes and other pests.
Aromatherapy: Cedar's earthy and woody fragrance makes it a favorite in aromatherapy. It is used to enhance focus, mental clarity, and overall well-being. Diffusing cedar essential oil in your living or work space can create a refreshing atmosphere.
Oat Tops
One of the more beautiful scientific names I've come across, Avena sativa, or Oat, is a wonderfully nourishing herb. Both the Oatstraw and the milky tops are used in herbal medicine. "A 1997 study demonstrated that β-glucan in oats “possesses immunomodulatory activities capable of stimulating immune functions both in vitro and in vivo” (Estrada et al., 1997)."
The rich vitamin B, calcium, and magnesium content in oats helps soothe and strengthen nerves. Oatstraw and milky oats are considered one of the best remedies for “feeding” and restoring the nervous system, particularly in times of stress and in the case of nervous system weakness or exhaustion associated with depression, overwork, or emotional trauma.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm contains compounds that are believed to have a calming effect on the body, making it a popular choice for those looking to ease anxiety and promote restful sleep. It's also been shown to have antiviral properties, making it a helpful tool in fighting off colds and flu. Lemon balm is a wonderful mood lifter. Any time a person is feeling down, stressed, or angry, lemon balm is the go to herb. It is perfect for little ones to calm them, and the taste is very pleasant, especially for those with picky palettes. It has been used to soothe those expressing ADHD symptoms as well. Lemon balm is also antimicrobial, so a wash or spray can be a helpful aid in cleaning wounds and cuts. Its antimicrobial action can lend aid in cleansing the body of Candida and Staphylococcus. Lemon balm is a wonderful sleep aid, and has been used in women whose menopausal complaints keep them up at night.
Lemon balm is so easy to grow, and bees just love the little flowers it produces, so be sure to keep some in your garden every season!
Skullcap
Skullcap is such a wonderful herb for the stressed and anxious mind. Skullcap is perfect for those who overthink and over-worry, especially if that mental chatter keeps you from resting at night. As a member of the mint family, it can be cooling to the body and useful in cases of those with "hot" constitutions. Those who are snappish, irritable, and grouchy when they get stressed will benefit from the effects of skullcap.
Skullcap is also very nourishing to the nervous system. For those that have been stressed for a long period of time, this herb can help replenish and restore. It is useful for anxiety, depression, insomnia, and nervous headaches.
Used across many cultures to ease nervous tension, it has also been dubbed "blisswort". It can relax muscles while helping to relieve the pain caused by long term inflammation.
Its bitter taste also tells us that it is good for the digestive system. If your stress leads to upset guts, then you could benefit from a cup of skullcap tea.
Skullcap is used for addictions to drugs, alcohol, nicotine, coffee, or medications, as it helps support one to break repeated, stuck patterns.
Skullcap’s antispasmodic and nervine actions also make it an ally for premenstrual tension, menstrual cramping, heaving bleeding, menopause, and accompanying impacts to the nervous system such as irritability, depression, and anxiety.
Used in a tea blend, add skullcap as a supportive herb, rather than the main body of your blend, at around 20% of the total.
Skullcap glycerite or tincture is also nourishing and replenishing to the nervous system, and is easy to take with you if you can't take the time to make tea.
Tulsi
Tulsi is known by many names- Ocimum tenuiflorum, holy basil, heal all, sacred basil. It is native to South Asia, and has been used for thousands of years in herbal medicine throughout the world. It has recently gained popularity in Western herbal medicine however just in the last couple decades. There are a lot of new studies being conducted on the healing power of Tulsi, all of which are showing amazing results.
Traditionally used as a nervine and adaptogen, tulsi has a wide variety of uses. As a nervine, it is calming to the nervous system, while at the same time nourishing and replenishing. It is calming without being sedating, and is indicated for long term stress- either physical or emotional. Tulsi can also help to reduce anxiety in generalized anxiety disorder.
Its uses as an adaptogen are wide ranging as well. Used as a tonic in long term applications, tulsi can rejuvenate a depleted body. It can tone and nourish the immune, digestive, and endocrine systems, helping to bring back balance to a dis-eased state.
It also comes in handy when dealing with digestive imbalance. It helps to ease flatulence, aid in sluggish digestion, stimulate appetite, and ease indigestion and vomiting. It is warming, antispasmodic, and carminative (eases gas/ bloating).
Tulsi has also been shown to be helpful in lowering blood sugar in diabetics. There are currently several published studies showing the efficacy of using tulsi in this way.
California Poppy
California poppy is in the same family as opium poppy, but with markedly milder effects. Studies show that California poppy works in the same receptors as morphine. Due to its affinity to the brain and GABA receptors, California Poppy is used as a sedative to calm the mind without depressing the central nervous system. This wonderful herb can be used in tea to relieve anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia, stress cramps/ indigestion, and so much more. You can even use it to make a powerful pain relieving tincture or salve.
コメント