How to Use Herbs for Stress Management

If you're under stress, you might want to try one of the many herbs for stress management that are out there. To some extent, we need stress. For example, I once cut my finger with a knife while preparing lunch. It hurt and I actually had to pay a visit to the ER. When the injury first happened, I could feel the adrenaline. I acted quickly and put pressure on it. That was stress--the adrenaline boost was my stress response.

You can run into problems when your body is under stress all the time. When you experience stress constantly, especially the kind that most of us face every day, such as work stress, it can negatively affect your body and health. Thankfully, using herbs for stress management can really help--especially when paired with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Here are some ways herbs can help you manage stress.

Instructions

1

Prepare a strong oatstraw tea. Oatstraw is one of those herbs that is gentle enough to take every day and is rich in minerals, such as calcium, which are helpful for the nerves. Steep the herbs in hot water for at least 30 minutes and drink a few cups per day.

2

Relax with chamomile after a long day. Though the herb is relatively gentle, it is best to use this one on an as-needed basis. When you need to relax and unwind, brew up a cup of chamomile tea.

3

Yes, catnip does make cats crazy, but it doesn't have the same affect on humans. In fact, it's just the opposite. Catnip is a sedative and nervine, which means that it can help promote sleep and settle the nerves. It is best served as a tea, and is a member of the mint family, so it has a pleasant flavor. Only use catnip on an as-needed basis.

4

Use lavender for relaxation. Yes, you can brew up lavender tea or use it in cooking. However, I prefer to use the essential oil. You can make a room spray by combining 20 drops of the lavender, 1 tablespoon of vodka and water in a 4-oz. spray bottle. Spray the room when you're starting to feel nervous or stressed.

5

Use ginseng to better adapt. Ginseng is an herb called an adaptogen. This means that it will help your body deal with the stresses of everyday life. In other words, it will help you adapt better to stress. You can take it in any form, but I prefer the extract. Just remember to follow the dosage advice on the package.