How do you manage stress?

We live in increasingly stressful times and it can be difficult to manage the barrage of responsibilities and expectations that wear on our bodies and minds daily. Eating right, stretching and physical activity, prayer and meditation, grounding and deep breathing are great ways to keep stress in check. Healthy relationships can provide the best medicines of all.

Many people are unaware of the benefits that herbs provide in repairing the damage that stress can do to our bodies. The following combination of herbs feed and revitalize the motor nerves at the base of the skull (medulla and upper cervical areas) and help feed and rebuild the spinal cord and frayed nerve sheath.  The vitamins and minerals in these plant foods are in their whole form, which increases assimilation.

Skullcap Scutellaria lateriflora is an anti-spasmodic, nervine and tonic. It is good for raw nerves, epilepsy and motor nerve injury. It tones and soothes the nervous system. It is high in magnesium and also contains calcium, ascorbic acid (Vit. C), iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin (B3), phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin (B2), selenium, silicon, thiamin (B1), zinc, lignans, chromium and cobalt.

Black Cohosh Cimicifuga racemosa – is an anti-spasmodic, astringent, nervine and sedative. It has been used for epilepsy, nervous excitability, tremors, neuralgia, hysteria and nerve inflammation. Contains ascorbic-acid, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin (B3), phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin (B2), selenium, silicon, thiamin (B1), zinc, chromium and cobalt.

Valerian Root Valeriana officinalis is a nervine, sedative and anti-spasmodic. For thousands of years the Chinese, Greeks, Romans, and Indians have used valerian as a mild sedative. Its therapeutic uses were described by Hippocrates and in the 2nd century Galen prescribed valerian for insomnia.  In the 16th century, it was used to treat nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations. Both Valium and valerian root are thought to affect the level of GABA amino acids in your brain, which are related to increased anxiety levels. Valerian is high in calcium, gamma-linolenic-acid (GLA), iron and riboflavin (B2). Also contains ascorbic-acid, beta-carotene, iron, choline, selenium, thiamin (B1), kaempferol, linoleic-acid, magnesium, manganese, niacin (B3), phosphorus, potassium, quercetin, zinc, caffeic-acid and cobalt,.

Passionflower Passiflora incarnata contains chrysin, a flavone which has anti-anxiety benefits. It works best for people with anxiety who also experience a lot of circular thinking or obsessive thoughts. Passion flower has a tranquilizing affect on the nervous system and is indicated specifically for anxiety and insomnia. With a reputation as non habit-forming medication for anxiety, passionflower has been indicated in preparations for alcohol, nicotine and opiate withdrawal. High in flavanoids, niacin (B3) and glutamine. Also contains calcium, iron, phosphorus and quercetin,

Lobelia Lobelia inflata is an anti-spasmodic, stimulant and powerful nervine. It assists in removing obstruction and congestion. Contains ascorbic-acid (vitamin C), beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, manganese, thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), phosphorus, potassium, iron, selenium, chromium, cobolt, linoleic-acid, silicon and zinc.

Cayenne Capsicum annuum is the purest stimulant. It is a great tonic for the circulatory system and increases blood flow. It is warming, dilating and equalizes blood pressure. High in ascorbic-acid (vitamin C), niacin (B3), quercetin, lutein, tocopherol (vitamin E), caffeic-acid, valeric-acid, and kaempferol. Also contains beta-carotene, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), pantothenic-acid (B5), phosphorus, potassium, zinc, camphor, chromium, citric-acid, cobalt, copper, lithium, linoleic-acid, lysine, oleic-acid, silicon, tryptophan, tyrosine and 1,8-cineole.

Consult your doctor if you are taking prescription medication. Not recommended for pregnant or nursing mothers.

This information is to be used for educational purposes only and has been solely based on the historic and traditional use of herbs.  It is offered for informational use only, and for use in maintaining and promoting good health in cooperation with a licensed medical practitioner.  It is not intended for the use of diagnosing any disease or condition or prescribing any treatment whatsoever. This information has not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration.