Best Herbs for a Chaotic Life

Best Herbs for a chaotic life.

Written By Akilkuumba Kelley

In our fast-paced world, it is increasingly rare to find someone free of overwhelming stress. Panic attacks, anxiety, depression, heart disease, and mental illness are only a few of many pathologies that can arise from chronic stress. The management of which is crucially important to an individual, and societal health. Unfortunately, these are not concepts that many of us learn in primary school or are ever asked to consider. So, what can the average person do to remedy a packed and chaotic life?

The answer might be simpler than you think. Beyond the self-help recommendations; a good night’s sleep, hydration, and a complete diet. Herbal medicines can be utilized to handle acute stress, as well as long-term, and deeply rooted anxiety. Incorporating teas, tinctures, or aromatherapy is an easy way to make a big difference in your quality of life. Who are these phenomenal plants with the phytochemical power, to bring peace? Skullcap, valerian, kava kava, wild yam, catnip, passionflower, licorice, and california poppy are some of the most highly recommended.

Amongst the herbs mentioned, there are a variety of actions that directly or indirectly aid in calming the nervous system. For this reason, many herbs are more effective when working in tandem, rather than taken individually. For example, wild yam is an Anodyne, an herb helpful for treating body aches, muscle tightness, soars, and cramps. Although this property wouldn’t help a racing mind as much as a hypnotic herb such as a skullcap, relaxing muscles will indirectly help release stress from the body.

If stress is more likely to occur in social situations A calming herb like kava kava is helpful for those with chronic anxiety and would be chosen over Skullcap, California poppy, or Valerian when dealing with social stress. This herb along with passionflower is less likely to cause any drowsiness. While the opposite can be said about California poppy or Valerian root especially if fatigue and exhaustion are present.

One of the most crucial organ systems in the body when it comes to regulating stress, and rest is our adrenal glands. This overlooked pair of organs sit right on top of the kidneys and are responsible for the secretion of several stress hormones. Chronic stress can deplete these energy reserves, keeping us in a state known as chronic fatigue.

Licorice root is not only sweet, and soothing, but also an extremely medicinal herb, possessing the ability to restore adrenal health, and therefore reverse chronic fatigue syndrome. Licorice root is able to do this by allowing several stress hormones a longer life in the blood, giving the adrenals a much-needed rest. However, licorice root can cause increased water retention, and therefore should be considered before use if high blood pressure is present.

Finally, a great herb to address the gut is catnip as who can truly be at ease if their gut is giving them grief. in our society, a plethora of gut ailments plague a variety of communities. catnip beyond being a helpful digestive herb is also quite calming especially when anxiety centers itself in the digestive system. Not only this but sharing a bit with your feline friend will only make your bond stronger.

Enjoy these herbs as teas, or tinctures throughout the day, or during a peaceful soak. Moving through life in a state of relaxation is an art practiced by the sages, and for good reason. Build a relationship with the medicines that work well for you, and in time you might just outgrow them having learned the lesion their wisdom imparted day by day.