Stress is rapidly growing as a plague in our society, especially in the developed countries. People experience stress in response to various physical, mental or emotional stimuli. If the stress is too high and it prevails for long, we may lose our ability to cope up with our day to day life and can become ill. Stress is related to our nervous system and can give birth to many disorders like anxiety, insomnia, etc. and if it becomes too acute then it can result in depression as well. Holistic medicines can help your stress hormone levels to fall and would help you to lead a healthy life. These medicines are alternative or natural medicines which are derived from natural herbs. Their use is safer than the use of synthetic drug in the long run but it is always better to seek your doctor’s advice before using them.
Chamomile
There are two types of chamomile found i.e., German and Roman which are used for treating nervous disorders such as stress, tension and anxiety. There are several usages of this herb and it also provides relief from stress and stress related problems. To prepare a concoction, boil 2 to 3 tablespoons of the herb for 10 minutes and drink it, it would provide an instant relief from stress. A few drops of chamomile oil in your bath water also works as a great stress buster. No side effects of this herb are evident but it is always better to check with your doctor before using it.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an ayurvedic medicine. It is a shrub which has small red berries and the seed of this herb is said to have cortisol reducing action. Cortisol is a stress hormone which is produced in our body when we are mentally, physically or emotionally stressed. The roots and leaves of ashwagandha are also used as a tonic for reducing stress and anxiety. Taking a large dose of this herb can cause stomach disorders. This herb should also be avoided by pregnant women and people with stomach ulcers. Consult a doctor before using this herb.
Basil
Basil is a scented herb and it has varied uses and no side effects. Its medicinal properties make this herb very useful in ayurveda medicines. This herb has antioxidant and cortisol reducing properties and is easily and readily available everywhere. A dosage of 40 mg per kg helps in relieving a person of acute and chronic stress disorder and helps to conserve the energy levels too. Consult an ayurvedic practitioner to determine more appropriate dose for the course of your therapy.
Ginseng
Amongst the many varieties of ginseng herb, Asain, American and Siberian ginseng are available in the market. This herb is said to have very adapting properties and its dose also provides your body with calming and relaxing effect. Boil the roots of ginseng herb and prepare a tea like concoction, strain it before drinking it. A continuous use of this concoction would help in reducing stress level to a great extent. The chemical property of this herb helps us to withstand daily complexities of life thus reducing the stress factor. Its usage for more than 3 months should be avoided. Pregnant women and patients of high blood pressure are not advised to take this medicine.
St. Johns wort
Although usage of a natural herb to fight stress is better and more sustainable to practice as it has no or very little side effect but it is always better to seek medical consultation before taking them. St. Johns wort herb has yellow flowers, but is generally taken in a pill form. It is used to regulate nervous disorders like stress, anxiety and depression. This herb has a ‘feel good’ property which helps in elevating the mood instantly. If you are suffering from stress related syndrome then 300 mg of St. Johns wort supplement thrice daily is recommended. Patients of HIV, diabetes, women taking birth control pills and people on seizure control drugs should avoid this medicine.
Passionflower
Passionflower has very effective properties to fight anxiety and stress related characteristics. It is so effective that its usage is even compared to medical drugs for stress. There is a category of plants known as “nervines” which provides as an excellent tonic for anxiety and stress and passionflower falls in that category of plants. Take 100 mg dose thrice daily for anti stress and anti anxiety effect. One can also take tea made from passion flower as a stress buster. Boil leaves of this herb and boil it for 10 minutes and drink this concoction at least 3 times a day. You could also take 10 to 25 drops of its fluid, thrice daily, to fight stress.
Kaliphosphoricum in homeopathy practice
Homeopathy is a holistic medicinal approach which was developed by a German physician. Homeopathy as a medicinal branch which has very insignificant side effects, but it is better to consult an homeopathy doctor for a safe course of treatment. Homeopathy believes in administering all the minute details of daily life before prescribing any medication as homeopaths believe that any disorder is a result of a series of conditions. Stress and anxiety are treated effectively with very small but regular dosage of kaliphosphoricum. This medicine works well to reduce stress due to exhaustion and over work. It is always advisable to take a complementary therapy to ensure best results.
Lavender
Lavender is a fragrant herb and its flowers are used for treating disorders related to nervous system and stress. The oil extracted from lavender flower is widely used in bath water to prevent anxiety and stress. Massaging a few drops of this oil is helpful in soothing tensed muscles enhancing the mood instantly and, a few drops massaged on the forehead acts as a great stress buster. This herb is also used in many sedatives and anti depressant medicines. Boil 2 tablespoons of the leaves of this herb and drink it as a tea to combat your worries and stress.
Valerian
Valerian herb is generally grown in Asia, Africa and North America and is known for its tranquilizing properties. The roots of this p[ant has chemical ingredients which is used for treating anxiety, insomnia and stress. The roots added to bath water remov
es stress and stress related high blood pressure to a great extent. It is also available in the form of capsules. Tea made from valerian roots also produce anti stress properties, uplifting the mood instantly. The use of this herb should not be combined with any other antidepressants. Any other side effect of this herb is not indicated.
