Best Herbs For Stress

Herbalism is an ancient and time tested art that remains alive and well today. Many people take herbal remedies to reduce their depression and also get relieved from the depression related problems. A good herbalist can help you treat your health problems naturally and can be an excellent complement to conventional medicine. Herbal remedies can be infused into water for teas, decoctions, and infusions; syrup, to make herbs more palatable; alcohol for tinctures; oil, to rub into skin; they can be mixed with cream, for external application; they can be formed into tablets or put inside capsules for easy swallowing; or they can even be put into the bath. Although you can buy many herbs at your local pharmacy or even at the grocery store, herbs aren’t FDA regulated, so your best bet is to go to an accredited herbalist with a good reputation. Herbalists know about the side effects of different herbs and also how they interact with other medications. To find an herbalist, look in the phone book, ask the employees at your local health food store, or talk to friends for a referral. Some areas have directories of natural health care providers. While many prescription medications are made from or derived from herbs, herbalists use herbal prescriptions to treat the whole person, not just an isolated condition. Natural depression remedy or herbal remedy for depression is helping a lot to get relieved from depression which is Herbalists believe and also treating the patient.

Homeopathy

Like herbalism, homeopathy is holistic, but the remedies, which can be purchased in many health food stores, are so diluted that they are safe for anybody to use. Homeopathy is a holistic healing therapy that works on the principle that like cures like. Herbs and other natural substances that cause certain symptoms in a healthy person are diluted and shaken again and again, resulting in an extremely dilute remedy that supports and encourages the body’s own healing efforts. Homeopathy is based on a few basic principles: that symptoms of disease are a sign that the body is healing itself, so symptoms shouldn’t be suppressed; that a substance that causes symptoms such as those of a particular disease will, in minute amounts, negate the effects of the disease; and that symptoms will clear up in the opposite order from how they appeared.

Because the remedies are so safe, you don’t have to understand the whole philosophy behind homeopathy to try it. In fact, homeopathy is an exceptionally safe way to deal with health imbalances, although it typically works more slowly than conventional medicine. Many people prefer it because it is less invasive, has fewer side effects, and is more holistic than conventional medicine. Homeopathic remedies are effective for physical ailments such as colds, chronic problems such as arthritis or allergies, and emotional problems such as anxiety or depression. Plus, homeopathic remedies, which can be made with everything from herbs and berries to roots to minerals such as gold and oyster shells to whole honeybees dissolved in alcohol and diluted, are typically far less expensive than prescription medications because they contain such minute amounts of the actual substance on which the remedy is based.

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Whatever the causes of depression, the condition can have serious detrimental effects on your life.  It is therefore important to find a good way to treat it. However, itâ??s important to be properly diagnosed before pursuing any treatment.

Many times psychiatrists and other professionals will readily prescribe medication, which can have serious side effects that have been well-documented.

Therapeutic measures and lifestyle changes are just as important, if not more important,  when it comes to treating depression.  If you decide to pursue this route, itâ??s very important to use psychological and wellness treatment together.

However, natural remedies for depression such as homeopathic remedies, can be very effective in combating depression, and on the plus side they come with almost no risk of side effects.

Prescribed Medication:  Unfortunately, medical practitioners are very quick to prescribe anti-depressants in the first instance when treating depression. Ensure that you have researched all other options and that you are well informed on all the possible  side-effects and precautions of taking anti-depressants before making a decision.

One of the most commonly prescribed anti-depressants are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Prozac and Zoloft; Tricyclic anti-depressants such as Elavin and Tofranil; and MAOIs (Monoamine oxidase inhibitors) such as Nardil
and Marplan.

These all have side effects which can be very  distressing to some and they are all required by the FDA to carry a warning about the increased risk of suicide, hostility, and agitation (not a great recommendation).

According to reports, the withdrawal effects are often experienced when you discontinue these prescription drugs.   While anti-depressants may work for some people, they should be taken under close medical supervision.  Many people do find they help but they usually work best when used in conjunction with other treatment such as cognitive therapy or an exercise program.

Psychotherapy:  This has significant, and long lasting effects as a means of treating depression. Various therapeutic approaches which include interpersonal therapy, family therapy and cognitive-behavioural  offer great insights as they strive to help the individual deal with any underlying issues that may be triggering the depression.

Relaxation:  Meditation and Yoga are some of the relaxation techniques that have been shown to reduce anxiety and clear the mind. If they are done regularly, these techniques can help alleviate some of the symptoms of depression and generally put you in a much lighter frame of mind.

Natural  Remedy:  These natural remedies have been used for hundreds, if not thousands of years for their medicinal properties.  Long before chemically induced,  medication was even thought of. Taken from the age old wisdom of those who relied on nature to cure all woes, certain herbal and homeopathic remedies have been shown to greatly reduce the symptoms of depression without the unwanted side-effects.

The most commonly used natural remedies for depression are Hypericum Perforatum (St. John’s Wort) which is called â??natureâ??s Prozacâ? and Passiflora which is nature’s best natural tranquilizers.

Many people around the world now turn to this natural approach of regaining the subtle balance of brain chemicals and rejuvenating the body and mind for all round natural health. Natural remedies for depression that include homeopathic remedies can also be of great benefit and are free of side effects as well as safe to use during pregnancy.

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Many people are helped with depression by medications and treatments, others are turned off by the medical approach. Fortunately, there are many alternatives available that can also have a positive healing effect. The ability of flower essences to cause shifts in people at the mental-emotional level makes them a natural choice for working with depression. However, the essences must be used wisely and carefully. There is no one “essence for depression”; each person’s situation is completely individual. Here are some impressions of various flowers that have been found to be helpful.

There are a number of flowers that directly address the emotional state of depression or deep resignation. The best known is Mustard, from the Bach Remedies. The emotional profile of deep gloom and lethargy, as though a dark cloud descended on the person, seems to fit many depression situations. Various degrees of hopelessness and despair are also covered by Gorse, Sweet Chestnut, and Wild Rose. If the person is suicidal or likely to “do something terrible”, I’d probably test out Cherry Plum (the “I’m out of control!” remedy) on them. States of panic or terror require other essences, such as Rock Rose (nicknamed “liquid Valium” for its soothing properties) or Grey Spider Orchid, to help the person regain their composure. Sometimes, Star of Bethlehem is called for (if they are “numbing out” or going into emotional shock), or Waratah (if this is an “emergency crisis” situation and you just want to pull them through the night). But dealing with the immediate emotions is only the first step.

In the wholistic approach, disease is always looked at as a message about what the person needs to be healthy and whole. This is especially the case with so-called psychological illnesses. It’s important to ask why the person is showing symptoms of depression. In many instances, the “blues” and lethargy of depression are hiding another emotion altogether, most frequently repressed anger. If there’s an underlying cause apparent, it makes more sense to remove the cause instead of “fighting” the symptoms that result. Many remedies are available to get at buried emotional states. The remedies Dagger Hakea, Mountain Devil, Fuchsia, and Scarlet Monkeyflower are high on the list of “anger formulas”.

The remedies Mariposa Lily, or Dog Rose may not make up for an unhappy childhood, but they can help the person to move on and learn to parent themselves. This level of self-acceptance is the gift of Pink Monkeyflower. There could be sexual overtones to the person’s emotional dilemma — Crab Apple, Easter Lily etc. would be options here. In short, almost anything could be an underlying cause, and practically any remedy could wind up being the “core” healing agent for the person.

The essences may not be the total answer for people with depression, but they can routinely produce much good. And that’s a beautiful gift to share with yourself. Sometimes, the turning point in depression is simply forgiving oneself for being human. Being human is not a sin, it’s simply the way we were born, so you might as well glory in it.

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Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem, and include panic disorders, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety disorders develop due to an interplay between enviromnental and genetic factors. Cognitive behavior therapy is useful for this disorder, as well as prescription anxiolytic drugs.

However, many patients prefer a natural approach or dislike the side effects of prescription drugs, and there are many non-prescription supplements available to help anxiety. Before starting natural supplements for an anxiety problem, be sure to mention your concerns and get a general checkup from your doctor. Symptoms resembling anxiety and anxiety attacks can be caused by physical diseases such as hormone imbalance, hyperthyroidism or cardiac arrhythmias.

However, if you are sure your problem is an anxiety disorder, the following supplements may be of help, and often have fewer side effects than commercial pharmaceutical products.

Chamomile tea is one of the best-known natural remedies for anxiety. Its affects the digestive tract and the nervous system, thus it is helpful for people who suffer from gastro-intestinal symptoms such as cramps along with mental anxiety. It is recommended that patients drink fresh tea made with chamomile leaves, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of water, several times a day. It is also available in tinctures which can be added to water. Chamomile capsules are convenient to take along to work, and don’t take as long to brew as the tea. The usual dose is 250 to 500 mg 3 to 4 times daily.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a nerve tonic which also has a restorative (adaptogenic) property. It has a calming effect in cases of mild depression and anxiety, and is also reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Damiana contains flavonoids that act on benzodiazepine and GABA receptors. It exhibits anxiolytic activity, muscle relaxation and sedation. Use 2-4 g of dried leaves infused in a cup of boiling water; 2-3 cups are taken daily. Alternatively, 2-4 ml of a liquid extract or 3-4 grams of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules taken twice daily can be substituted if desired.

Damiana has demonstrated mild hypoglycemic effects in animal studies. Patients with diabetes and hypoglycemia should use this plant with caution, and monitor blood sugar levels closely. Damiana has a traditional use as an abortive and is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) has a very quick calming effect on the nervous system and causes an uplifting, euphoric feeling. It is also a muscle relaxant and mild sedative. It is helps anxiety, tension, stress, irritability and insomnia. Kava stops the mind from racing, often a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder.

The usual dose is 750 mg twice daily. Do not exceed 4 capsules per day.

Kava Kava is a traditional Polynesian remedy, and while it has been used safely by Polynesians for centuries, now that it has become popular worldwide it has been linked to some cases of liver failure in people of other ethnic groups who have difficulty metabolizing it. Ask a health care professional before use if you have a history of liver problems, frequently use alcoholic beverages, or are taking any medication. Stop and see a doctor if you develop symptoms that may signal liver problems (e.g., unexplained fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, yellow eyes or skin).

Do not use kava kava if less than 18 years of age, or if pregnant/breastfeeding. Do not combine with alcoholic beverages, or prescription anxiolytics or antidepressants . Excessive use, or use with products that cause drowsiness, may impair your ability to operate a vehicle or heavy equipment. Do not take Kava Kava on a daily basis for more than four weeks without consulting a health care provider. Take frequent breaks from use.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is most often used for insomnia, but it can also be taken in the daytime to reduce the effects of stress and anxiety. This herb is often included in European formulas for heart palpitations, which often have anxiety as a component. It is taken in capsule form, 500 mg daily, or 20-30 drops of tincture, or as a fresh tea. Passionflower, though it helps bring on natural sleep, does not have the sedative effects of many prescription sleeping pills.

Pulsatilla is a homeopathic remedy said to be most suitable for shy, hypersensitive people who tend to feel warm rather than cold. Homeopathic practitioners recommend a 30C potency 2-4 times daily for relief of acute symptoms, and 30C or 6C 1-2 times daily for chronic use. Homeopathic remedies use miniscule concentrations of compounds to “nudge” the body into healing itself. They either help or they do not; there are no toxic side effects.

Scullcup (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a relaxing and gentle sedative for the central nervous system. It is very good for nervous tension and for nervous exhaustion plus neurological and neuromotor problems. The dose is 10-20 drops of fresh plant tincture or 1-2 dropperfuls of dried plant tincture. Skullcap can also be sleep inducing, but it is rarely habituating.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is commonly used for depression, but helps anxiety as well. Use a 300 mg extract 3 times daily. Quality varies widely between brands; it is best to buy a product standardized to contain 3-5% hyperforin and 0.3% hypericin. It works by increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system such as serotonin and dopamine. Do not use this product if also taking prescription antidepressants.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has been used since Greek and Roman times to promote sleep and relaxation. It can treat insomnia, anxiety, and stress related gastrointestinal upset. According to one theory, valerian affects the brain in a way similar to valium; while another theory holds that valerian contains GABA, a neurotransmitter which has a calming affect on the brain, or else influences the brain’s natural production of GABA. Also, some reasearchers believe that valerian affects serotonin levels in a manner similar to anitdepressant drugs such as Prozac.

If using valerian to treat insomnia, take the herb 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed. It can be taken 2-4 times daily to help stress and anxiety. The recommended dose of tincture is 30-60 drops, or a capsule or tablet of 300-500 mg.

Some people feel groggy after taking valerian; if this occurs, lower the dose. Avoid hazardous activities while using valerian, and do not combine it with other sedatives, antidepressants or alcohol. Do not take valerian for more than 3 weeks, as it can be habituating.

Verbena (Verbena officinalis) is a relaxing nervous system tonic indicated for a wide range of nervous disorders including nervous exhaustion and stress. As a tincture, use 2-4 mls up to 4 times daily. Avoid use during pregnancy as this herb is a uterine stimulant.

Withania (Withania somnifera) is an ayurvedic herb sold under the name Ashwaghanda. It is a very good tonic herb that is especially helpful for debility and nervous exhaustion due to stress. It has steriodal, adaptogenic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also useful for panic attacks and phobic disorders such as agoraphobia. Use 1 tsp powder 3 times daily.

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