Kick Stress’s Butt Naturally
Introduction: Homeopathic Philosophy
Herbal remedies for stress have become prevalent in the last few years. The world is a busy place and people find themselves constantly having to juggle work and personal commitments. This inevitably leads to stress. Stress itself can be a killer as it leads to chemical reactions within the body that can be harmful. Some will resort simply with going to the doctor to be prescribed conventional drug treatments. Some would prefer more natural methods and in recent times there has been an upsurge in herbal and homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy is controversial as most compounds are predominantly water. The philosophy behind it suggests, however, that as symptoms are the body’s attempt to achieve balance, minute quantities of compounds which induce the symptoms, will in effect, boost the immune system.
Herbs are Chemicals Too!
One of the more commonly cited reasons for turning to herbal remedies to combat stress is the belief that being based on natural compounds, side effects are less likely. What is not so commonly understood is that many of the properties that make herbal remedies so effective are why many of their constituent chemicals are used as the basis for conventional drugs. Valerian root, recommended as a sedative, is the basis of valium.
If They are Chemicals What Do They Do?
Like the synthetic drugs many herbal remedies aid in altering the chemical reactions throughout the body. Some act as sedatives and tranquillizers, whilst others are mood enhancers. Hops, for example, is commonly used to aid sleep; as is chamomile, but this can also be used to boost the immune system during periods of depression. Skull Cap, and strangely Cat Nip is used to calm the brain down. Whereas Rhodiola can be multifunctional: it’s classed as an adaptogenic herb and can be used in regulating the heart, as well as improving the serotonin levels and thus suppressing the depression causing chemicals in the brain. It’s also an aphrodisiac, perhaps something that may also improve the mood. St John’s Wort is a popular alternative to conventional anti-depressants, although it should be checked with a health professional before using, as adverse reactions are known to occur when taken with other medications.
Other uses For the Herbs
Herbal remedies are not necessarily about ingesting: aromatherapy is very popular. Smelling scented oils like lavender, usually in an oil burner or dropped into the bath is said to have a calming effect on the brain. However, stress can also be controlled by being more positively pro-active. Exercise, a good diet and plenty of down time are also really useful in coping with life.
Conclusions
Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years. Some of the medications we use today were originally based on natural materials. Herbal remedies are an effective treatment for many ailments, not limited to but including conditions such as stress.
