7 Herbal Stress Remedies
Stress is a physiological response that happens in the body in response to a stressor. We usually associate stress with a hard job, difficult family problems, busy schedules, or hard exams, but we can become stressed due to imbalances in the body not necessarily caused by those external factors. Nutrient imbalances, blood sugar increases, and low hormone levels can all lead to stress. It is important to understand that stress is not always just a product of a stressful lifestyle and that sometimes the stress you feel is an indicator something is imbalanced internally. When these imbalances occur our cortisol production is increased from the adrenal glands, which sets off a cascade of negative effects in our body. Luckily, many herbal stress remedies can ease the cortisol imbalances. Note that you should always attempt to get all your nutrient needs through food, but if that is a challenge for you, utilize herbs to help you out.
Here are 7 herbal stress remedies:
1. Chamomile
Chamomile has been shown to have many soothing properties in the body to reduce sore throat, menstrual cramps, and reduce stress making it one of the herbal stress remedies. Chamomile has a beneficial effect on reducing stress because of its functions in regulating noradrenaline, GABA, serotonin, and dopamine, which are some of our feel-good and relaxing brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. The tea is also beneficial in maintaining a restful sleep at night, which can decrease stress levels due to cortisol regulation. When we have good sleep, our cortisol will naturally perk up in the morning to get us motivated to start the day, and as the day follows it will slowly decline so that by night time we will be tired to go to bed. As chamomile helps us sleep, our cortisol will follow this correct pattern.
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2. REISHI
Red Reishi is a mushroom, or adaptogen, that helps the body adapt to stress making it one of the herbal . Due to its effect on stress and blood sugar Reishi can reduce androgen levels. When we have high cortisol levels this will increase an androgen called DHEA or dehydroepiandrosterone. This hormone will increase acne production, fatigue, and hair loss. When we have high blood sugar levels this will increase insulin and stress levels. The high insulin will signal the ovaries to produce more testosterone. Luckily, Reishi can aid in combatting both of these high androgen levels by controlling stress and blood sugar. A study looking at the anti-androgenic effects of 19 mushrooms, found that reishi mushrooms had the strongest effect inhibiting testosterone. Red Reishi has been shown to reduce an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which aids in the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High DHT levels are associated with acne and hair loss.
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3. CBD
CBD or Cannabidiol is an active ingredient from the hemp plant that has many beneficial effects, one of them being reducing stress making it one of the herbal stress remedies. This is because CBD has been found to decrease cortisol because it can help regulate your body’s natural circadian rhythm. As mentioned before, our circadian rhythm has a very important role in our sleep cycle and cortisol balance throughout the day because it helps us recognize day from night.
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4. ASHWAGANDHA
Ashwagandha is a root plant that can be taken to effectively as one of the herbal stress remedies. Health benefits can be derived from the concentration of withanolides, which are anti-inflammatory. In one study, those who took ashwagandha had a 30% reduction in cortisol levels compared to a control group. You can take ashwagandha as a supplement or powdered to add to meals or beverages.
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5. Rhodiola
Also known as golden root, Rhodiola originated in Asia for medicine. It contains a phytochemical known as salidroside, which is the main factor why it is one of the herbal stress remedies. Rhodiola Rosea is the strain that is the most effective in showing health benefits. This amazing herb has been shown to reduce stress by inhibiting fatigue and increasing daily endurance. Rhodiola also helps to increase energy which can benefit those with stress-induced depression. The mechanism for these outcomes is through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis which controls many of our innate responses to stress and key mediators of it.
6. Holy Basil
Native to Asia, holy basil also called Tulsi is a shrub found in the basil family, and it is one of the herbal stress remedies. Two phytochemical compounds in holy basil, ocimumosides A and B, are found to reduce cortisol levels. This herb can reduce physical stress from the environment like heavy metals, cold temperatures, intense exercise/exertion, and excessive noise. Additionally, holy basil can mediate the effects and counteract metabolic stress from imbalanced blood glucose and lipid levels. Finally, holy basil has antimicrobial effects to counter pathogens and boost immunity.
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7. Turmeric
Turmeric is an herb that is another one of the herbal stress remedies. The bioactive component in turmeric called curcumin is best known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It helps to reduce inflammation and scavenges free radicals that can damage cells. The antioxidant effects are beneficial to reduce the internal stress response which can balance out hormones like progesterone and estrogen.
Curcumin is not absorbed well in the bloodstream. Combining turmeric with black pepper or looking for curcumin supplement formation with black pepper or piperine can enhance the absorption of curcumin. Piperine is the bioactive compound found in black pepper that has been shown to increase the absorption of curcumin.
