Herbs for Stress and Strain
Natural Products for the Strain When You Can't Let It Go
Stress and strain are in everyone's life. Once we learn to recognize them, we can find ways to manage them and be more relaxed.
What is stress and what is strain? We all have a normal, happy, healthy state that is unique to us. A stress is a force that is pushing us away from that state—noise, pollution, death of loved ones, some bad food—stress can be almost anything. Strain is the amount that a stress moves us away from our normal state.
So, for instance, a stress might be getting fired from a job. The strain might be the worry that we’ll run out of money before we get another job. Usually when we complain about stress, it’s really the strain that we’re talking about.
It’s important that each person understands what “normal” is for them, so they can recognize strain when it occurs. One person might lose their job and be fairly relaxed about finding the next one. Another person who gets laid off may have a panic attack, or simply start overeating a bit. If the second person knows that they tend to overeat when stressed then they are better prepared to recognize strain and take some action to resolve the strain and get back to normal.
The Buddha said (just paraphrasing) that all human suffering comes from grasping at objects that are essentially ephemeral. Another way of saying this is that we all have stress because change is inevitable. We can avoid strain if we don’t “grasp” at the things that are changing. Let it go—as they say.
For those of us who haven’t learned to “let it go” there are a few herbs that might help take the edge off of stress. They aren’t cures—but they can assist the nervous system to deal with stress and strain.
- Passion Flower extract (Passiflora incarnate) is used in commercial preparations in Europe to relieve mild nervous stress. It will relieve mild anxiety, aid in getting a good night’s sleep and lower some types of hypertension.
- Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a nerve tonic and sedative. It’s been used historically for epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, and nervous tension.
- Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) is a sedative and an anti-anxiety herb. It is non-addictive, so it might be a better choice than benzodiazepines or tranquilizers.
- Oats (Avena sativa) are a nerve tonic that has been used for centuries for sleeplessness, nervous exhaustion.
- Hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha) is a tonic for the circulatory system that might be of use if stress and strain are raising blood pressure a bit.
- Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) has very mild sedative properties. It also tends to help the digestive tract. Many people are bothered by digestion upset when they’re under stress. A cup of chamomile tea might be ideal for them.
- Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) has been thought to be a tonic for the circulatory and nervous systems for a thousand years.
- Hops (Humulus lupulus) is a sedative that can be used for restlessness and insomnia.
Everyone is different and responds differently to herbs and pharmaceuticals. So several of these may help a person who is experiencing strain, or none of them may help.
If a person is having trouble managing stress and strain, it may be possible to eliminate some of the stresses in their life. That way there’ll be more energy available to deal with the strain that remains.
We all know people who react to strain by drinking more coffee which is going to add chemical stress to the body in a number of ways. They’ll feel like they have more energy to take on the world, but the reality is that their nervous system will be less up to the tasks.
Managing stress is a matter of detachment, eliminating unnecessary stressors, and possibly adding a few herbs. If that doesn’t work, then get some professional help.
If you’re already taking pharmaceuticals, be sure to consult your physician before adding herbs to your daily routine.
