A Guide to Relieve Stress Naturally with Goodness of Herbs and Essential Oils
Our day to day professional and personal stressors lay a huge burden on our lives leading to fatigue, illness, depression, anxiety, wrinkles, and even early aging. Busting stress through the use of natural remedies and herbs is the best way to keep yourself healthy, alive and rejuvenated. There are many natural stress busters including aromatherapy, herbs and spices, Yoga, meditation and massage to alleviate the stress which may be having an adverse effect on your health.
Meditation and Yoga
The regular use of meditation and yoga helps in developing a sense of calm in body, in refocussing on the targets in life. Yoga and meditation are part of mind and body techniques aimed at relieving stress and anxiety. Meditation and Yoga are aimed to quiet the body and the mind leading to a relaxation of the motor muscles in the arms and the legs, reducing the breathing rate, reducing the rate of the other functions of the body and lastly and gradually slowing down the activities of the brain. There are various forms of Yoga all of which teach methods of concentration and contemplation to control the mind, subdue the primitive consciousness and ultimately bring the physical body under the will.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy uses essential oils to offer relaxation and produce a calming and soothing effect. There are many essential oils whose aroma is calming in effect and when massaged onto the body mixed in carrier oil it acts as a relaxant. Essential oils are also kept in a diffuser to show their effect.
Research evidence has proven that the fragrance of flowers and other aromatic essential oils have medicinal and clinical benefits as good as those of various drugs. A non-pharmaceutical solution is extremely important since it is devoid of any side effects or adverse effects. Anecdotal evidence exists to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of natural compounds for providing relief from stress and anxiety. A Japanese research study has established that simple inhalation of patchouli and rose oil can bring down the sympathetic nervous activity. These essential oils from flowers and other plants are appropriate to create equilibrium and calm the human body and soul. For instance, lavender oil is widely studied oil for its benefits in reducing stress, anxiety, aggression and levels of a chemical called as cortisol along with many other therapeutic properties. Along with relaxation and calming properties, essential oils will also help in improving your skin condition, treating common health issues and skin conditions, promote better and deeper sleep, rejuvenate and also provide relief from migraines and headaches.
Aromatherapy exhibits its effects via nose, lungs and skin. When the essential oils are inhaled it produces it exerts its direct effect on the brain majorly through limbic and olfactory systems. Among almost 30 therapeutic potential medical benefits, relief of stress and anxiety are the two benefits which have been studied in detail. Some of the most common natural or essential oils obtained from herbs and plants which provide relief from stress are Bergamot, Clary Sage, Chamomile, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint and Ylang Ylang. While you can go to an esthetician for an aromatherapy session you can also use essential oils at home for relaxing yourself in various ways including;
1. Air freshener or potpourri
2. In bath by adding a few drops of essential oil to water.
3. Using a few drops of essential oil in a carrier oil to massage on to your skin
4. Add a few drops of essential oil to water and use it as a personal scent.
Massage therapy
The scientific basis of massage is to improve the blood flow by applying pressure on various pressure points on the body and produce a relaxing effect. Many herbs are used in massages for their stress relieving properties.
An Ayurvedic massage has been researched to be effective for a number of conditions such as arthritis, lower back pain, sleeplessness, headaches, anxiety, circulatory problems or recovery from a sports injury along with offering relief from anxiety and stress. Self-massage therapy can be done to loosen taut shoulders, soothe tired eyes, release the tension from lower back and soothe tired feet. Your massage therapist can give you the most appropriate massage needed for your particular condition.
Herbs and spices
Herbs have been used for many years in Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and in herbalism. Current research is also aiming at finding a substantial evidence befitting the therapeutic claims made by various herbalists. Herbs are the perfect remedy to balance and manage the body’s nervous system to control stress. Herbs which have been used in the treatment and management of stress are classified as adaptogen, tonic and nervine herbs. All these classes of herbs aim at balancing the nervous system, strengthening the nervous system and alleviate the damage caused as a result of stress and even antagonize the stressors for the body.
Adaptogenic herbs such as Ginseng, Maitake, Gotu Kola, Wild Yam, and Licorice root, work towards helping the body to adapt to stressful situations by balancing the nervous system. Red clover, Chamomile, St. John’s Wort, Skullcap, Motherwort, and Lemon balm are a few tonic herbs which work on various systems of the body such as circulatory, respiratory, reproductive, and nervous system to soothe the nerves, promote relaxation and relieve stress. Nervine herbs are used to heal the damage caused by the stress and anxiety, act as a sedative to relax and calm the nerves or as a stimulant to activate and energize the cells. Some of the most commonly used nervine herbs are Kava kava, Hops, Passion flower, Lavender, Valerian and Oats.
Herbs can be taken in the form of pills, capsules, oils and herbal teas. When used in combination with meditation or Yoga, herbal remedies can do wonders.
Always keep in mind that you should not mix prescription medicines and herbs before consulting your doctor. Herbal remedies should not be consumed for longer periods of time without informing your clinician. Herbs and herbal supplements form an integral part of your lifestyle choices and before using a herb assure that you are not allergic to it in any way.
Category: HEALTH, HERBAL REMEDIES
