Whether you have acute or chronic stress, there are some herbs that can help, some by nourishing and relaxing the nervous system, some by calming the mind and nerves, some by bringing balance to the body and supporting its ability to deal with physical, mental and emotional stress and some by helping us get the rest we need.   Today, we’re going to explore 5 Herbs for Stressful Times.  

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I titled this blog post, “5 Herbs for Stressful Times,” but on second thought, it probably should have been called 5 Herbs for Just About Every Day! “

Stress and Our Health

While there are times that are more stressful in our lives, it is easy to feel stress and be stressed on a daily basis.  Unless you are retired on a beautiful, sandy beach in the Caribbean with minimal contact with prickly people and bad news (my dream!) you probably find yourself feeling stressed more often than you’d like to admit.

Busyness, traffic, news, health scares, health issues, loneliness, loss, bad relationships, a new job, loss of a job, chronic pain, chronic inflammation, difficulty forgiving past hurts, difficulty letting things go, financial difficulties and so on, can all take a toll on us.    Chronic stress is not healthy, friends.  It slowly takes it’s toll on our body, creating inflammation and in turn, disease.   The healthiest diet in the world cannot protect you if you are under constant stress.   Reducing stress is imperative if you want to be healthy.

Identifying the things that cause us stress and reducing, eliminating or finding ways to cope with things we cannot change is probably one of the most important things we can do for our health.

Many people would rather find a “quick fix” to alleviate their stress, often using energy drinks, coffee, sugar, supplements and yes, even herbs to push them through when their body is asking them to slow down.  Listening to our body (i.e. our symptoms) takes some practice; we often don’t pay much attention when it speaks quietly to us, letting us know that things aren’t quite right.   We can easily pass it off as other things.

It’s easier to pay attention when that voice gets louder–chronic insomnia, chronic pain, adrenal fatigue and exhaustion, immune issues, and disease– those kinds of things may just get our attention but we may not necessarily know the reason for them or even consider than our symptoms may be connected.  Maybe they are and maybe they aren’t, but consider the possibility.   They were for me.

While lifestyle changes are key, in the background, there are the herbs that can support us as we go about making those positive lifestyle changes and reducing the stress in our lives.  And that leads me into today’s topic: 5 Herbs for Stressful Times.

Whether you have acute or chronic stress, there are some herbs that can help, some by nourishing and relaxing the nervous system, some by calming the mind and nerves, some by bringing balance to the body and supporting its ability to deal with physical, mental and emotional stress and some by helping us get the rest we need.   What an amazing gift these herbs can be to us during stressful times!

5 Herbs for Stressful Times

Holy Basil

Also know as tulsi, holy basil is a nourishing tonic herb and adaptogen that increases the body’s ability to cope with and respond to stress.  It protects the heart from stress, reduces feelings of anxiety and helps calm the mind.

Because holy basil is a delicious, food-like herb, it is easy to consume.  One of the most common ways is in a tea, steeped (covered) for 5-10 minutes.

Here’s one of my favorite homemade tea blends that features holy basil and here is one of my favorite tulsi teas to purchase.  Both are delicious as well as medicinal.

Holy Basil can also be prepared or purchased as a tincture.

As a member of the mint family, it is also easy to grow!   I grew holy basil in my garden for the first time last year.  I was able to easily grow a year’s worth of dried tulsi from just a few plants–just be sure to prune often like you would other basils so you get a nice, bushy plant.  If you can grow sweet basil, you can grow holy basil!   I purchased my seeds from Fedco.

If you grow your own holy basil, use the fresh herb in any recipe that calls for sweet basil (such as pesto, in pasta sauces, on pizza, soups and sauces, even infused in vinegar and honey.  You can also make your own tincture and be sure to dry some of the herb for tea.

Using Holy Basil Safely

Holy Basil might have an antifertility effect on both men and women so it is best to avoid by those wishing to conceive.

Catnip

Another member of the mint family, catnip is most well- known as the plant that cats adore.  I can attest to this–my cat would constantly try to open a cabinet where I stored my catnip and would rip through the bag to get at it!  I resisted planting it in my garden for years because I was afraid it would attract all the neighborhood cats.  Thankfully, once I finally planted some, it didn’t have quite that effect and it is a handy herb to have in your garden.

Catnip is a relaxing nervine which means it calms the nerves.   It can be used for nervousness or stress or at bedtime as a sleep aid.

This herb is soothing and settling to the stomach and nerves and is one of the best remedies for stress-induced IBS.

Catnip is typically taken as a tea, tincture or non-alcoholic glycerite.

Using Catnip Safely

Catnip is a safe herb for children but should be avoided during pregnancy.

Skullcap

Skullcap is yet another member of the mint family that can relieve stress and anxiety.  It works well in acute situations but can also be taken daily as a tonic to decrease chronic stress (along with lifestyle modifications.)

For the person who is constantly stressed, worried or strained, skullcap can nourish, build and improve the function of the nervous system and can quiet and soothe anxiety.  It’s cooling, soothing and relaxing to the nervous system.

If you have difficulty falling asleep at night because you are thinking too much or worried over situations in which you have no control, skullcap can be helpful to put a “cap” on your skull –to calm and quiet your mind so you can sleep.  Herbalist Rosalee de la Foret, recommends a strong tea taken an hour before bed of five grams of skullcap infused in 8 ounces of water for 15 minutes.  I also use skullcap tincture in place of the tea for times I don’t want too much to drink before bed.

Skullcap can be taken as a tea or tincture or purchased in capsules or tincture form.

Using Skullcap Safely:

Avoid skullcap during pregnancy.

Skullcap has gotten a bad wrap over the past several years for cross contamination with European germander which has led to multiple reports of liver damage and liver failure.  Each report of skullcap toxicity to the liver was found to be in cases where the skullcap was adulterated with either European or American germander.   As with all your herbs, be sure to purchase only through companies you know and trust.

Lemon Balm

One of my favorite summer herbs, even the scent of lemon balm can lift your spirits!

Lemon balm has long been used as a remedy for the nerves.  It has a direct impact on the nervous system, soothing and calming frayed nerves. Known as a relaxing nervine, lemon balm relaxes, soothes and supports the entire nervous system.  It helps ease sadness and depression and enhances sleep.  It is also gentle enough to use with children.

While dried lemon balm can be effective, it doesn’t have a long shelf life due to all the volatile oils.  Fresh lemon balm is really amazing.  Yet another member of the mint family, it’s extremely easy to grow and well worth a spot in your garden. For more information on growing lemon balm as well as lots of ideas and recipes for using it, be sure to check out this post on How to Use Lemon Balm for Stress, Tension & Anxiety.

Lemon Balm can be used in a number of ways: infused water, teas, tinctures (recipe here,) non alcoholic glycerite (recipe here,) infused oils, vinegar and honey and added to salads.

Using Lemon Balm Safely

Lemon balm is considered a very safe herb, even for children but if you have an under-active thyroid, it’s best not to consume lemon balm in excess.

Chamomile

For many, chamomile tea can feel like a warm hug from mom.  It’s cozy and relaxing and can be a  good remedy when you’re feeling irritable, restless or anxious. The next time you drink a cup of chamomile tea, pay attention to how it makes you feel.  (I know for me, I can physically feel the tension melting away when I drink chamomile.)  Now, try adding a second tsp or more of the dried herb or a second or third tea bag to your cup and compare the difference.  Often with chamomile, the more you use, the more profound the result.

Chamomile is a mild sedative that calms the nerves and settles the stomach.  It is especially good for those whose digestion is affected when they are under stress.   Plus, it can also help relieve muscle tension.

Chamomile is an easy herb to grow from seed.  Plant some seeds once, and it will self seed every year after, keeping you in good supply of dried chamomile for the winter!

Chamomile is most commonly taken as a tea or in a tea blend but can also be taken as a tincture.    My favorite Adaptogen Licorice Tea recipe is a great one for stressful times!   I also love making Chamomile Honey Popsicles in the summertime.

Using Chamomile Safely

Gentle enough to be used with babies and small children, chamomile is considered a very safe herb for most people.

Have you tried any of these herbs for stress?    Please let me know by leaving a comment below or sharing a comment or picture on my Facebook Page or on Instagram . 

References

Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by David Winston and Steven Maimes

Natural Herbal Living Magazine: Skullcap. 2017

The Modern Herbal Dispensatory by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne

The Herbal Academy of New England Introductory Herbal Course

Herb Mentor from Learning Herbs

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