Anxiety is a normal response to stress or dangerous situations. It is characterised by panic attacks, hot and cold flushes, a tight chest and racing heart, and obsessive thinking. In fact, it is often referred to as the ‘fight or flight’ response and can also be responsible for those pesky butterflies in your stomach. However, for many people, it is a prevalent, and ongoing, mental health condition. It can be particularly problematic when these feelings are constant or impact upon your day-to-day life. Thankfully, there are many management strategies and treatments available to help relieve-your-anxiety-with-ease. One of which, is as stopping to smell the roses. Literally.
Your Garden Is Good For You
That’s right. Plants have been the basis for medical treatments throughout human history, and they are still widely used today in all societies and cultures. Ancient doctors methodically collected information about herbs, and developed well-defined information on how to treat a variety of ailments.
Today, herbal medicines are used to help relieve conditions including allergies, arthritis, migraines, and burns; and can be found in tablet, capsule, powder, tea, and extract form, or as fresh or dried plants. In fact, approximately 25 percent of the drugs prescribed worldwide are derived from plants! Yep, even morphine was originally derived from the seed pods from poppy flowers. In order to harness (and celebrate) the power of natural remedies, The Doc has compiled a list of some of the best herbs, plants, and essential oils to ease a busy mind.
Rose
One of the benefits of the rose essential oils is its ability to help with panic attacks, grieving, and shock. Rose essential oils are also great for stimulating the mind, and promoting a sense of peace, tranquility and well-being.
Lavender
Recognised for its sweet perfume, lavender also boasts medical benefits and is used as a mild anti-depressant that may also able to benefit your nervous system. If you add lavender oil to your bath it may help to alleviate stress, tension, and insomnia. It is also used in some creams to treat sunburns and acne. Lavender is also known as an adaptogen; allowing us to adapt to our environments (even the stressful ones) and stablise our response to stress. You can also inhale lavender to further induce calmness and relieve nervousness, headaches, and muscle pain.
Doc Tip: Put 3 drops of lavender oil in your palm and rub it into your neck, wrists, and temples. You can also diffuse lavender oil at home or at work, inhale it directly from the bottle for immediate relief, or add 5-10 drops to warm bath water to fight anxiety naturally.
Jasmine
Jasmine has been said to be better than valium when it comes to settling nerves and overcoming stress. It has been said to have been traditionally used as a natural remedy for anxiety, insomnia, low libido and depression for centuries; with Jasmine not only alleviating depression but stimulating the mind to uplift the mood and produce feelings of confidence and optimism.
Chamomile
The chamomile plant is used in a number of herbal remedies and has been used for centuries as a gentle calming agent for young and old alike. It can calm anything from an upset stomach to insomnia. Try drinking chamomile tea or infusing it in a bath to unlock ultimate relaxation!
Scullcap
Referred to by herbalists as the ‘nerve food’, Scullcap has the ability to relax nervous tensions in the body while also renewing and reviving the central nervous system. It can help ease people out of even the most hysterical of states and aid in lifting depression.
Doc Tip: 1-2 teaspoons of this herb per cup of boiling water and left to soak for 10 minutes before consuming.
Magnesium
Magnesium plays many important roles in the body, and magnesium deficiency is one of the leading deficiencies in adults. Taking a magnesium supplement can help to relax your muscles, and calm the nervous system. For this reason, it is commonly used to combat anxiety, poor digestion, muscle aches, spasms, and trouble sleeping.
Ginger
Many studies have shown ginger to be useful in treating nausea, including motion and morning sickness. The therapeutic benefits of ginger come from gingerols (the oily resin from the root) that acts as a highly potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent.
Aloe Vera
There is no doubt you have already heard about Aloe Vera’s healing properties. In traditional Indian medicine it is used to ale skin diseases, infections, and colic; while in China it is recommended for the treatments of fungal infections. And, of course, in the Western world it has been widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and food industries; as well as for skin conditions including acne and sunburn. However, it also has a very soothing effect on the mind and body and is increasingly used to treat stress and depression.
On top of these wonderful herbal remedies, when you eat a clean and well-balanced diet that contains important nutrients like vitamin B, magnesium, and omega-3’s, and using essential oils; may help to improve your mood, energy levels, and sleep patterns.
The Doctor’s Kitchen and our doctors service all Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Toowoomba areas.
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