The hectic pace of life that we lead, loaded with routines, tasks, obligations and work, give us very little time to dedicate to ourselves. This translates into a vicious circle that we get into almost without realizing it, even though sometimes we are risking our health due to stress, overwhelm and the nerves to which we submit.
When you want to realize it, you are overwhelmed and exhausted; you have the feeling of not enjoying yourself and of not living life as you should because you don’t know how to get out of that spiral. In some cases this translates into anxiety, insomnia, tension and many psychological problems that derive from this hectic pace of life.
Do you feel identified? Do you think you may have anxiety? The first step is to recognize it in order to remedy it as soon as possible. You should know that psychological therapy can help you a lot to overcome this situation but, in addition, you can take advantage of the benefits of these 9 efficient medicinal plants to combat and reduce anxiety that will be of great help to you. Let’s see them!
What is anxiety and what symptoms does it have?
Anxiety is a mental and physical state of nervousness, stress and disproportionate panic produced as an alert or defense system in the face of a specific situation. Feeling it at a specific moment is normal, it can be taken as part of life. However, it may last over time and be produced by numerous causes, which will define the suffered. It can be motivated by some phobias (to animals, to certain places…), by personal situations, by the work environment or by a stressful social situation. But what does a person with anxiety feel?
The symptoms of anxiety usually coincide with nervousness and a specific bodily response. Sweats or tremors, weakness, rapid breathing, high heart rate, agitated breathing when considering certain situations, problems falling asleep or lack of concentration are just some of the states that this emotion can cause.
The best solution to reduce anxiety situations is, as we told you a few lines above, to go to psychological therapy. Thanks to the role of a psychologist, you will be able to discover the way to cope with certain situations, or even identify the origin of the anxiety to try to alleviate it as soon as possible.
In addition to the psychologist, there are also natural remedies that can be of great help at certain times. All the plants that we will talk about below will calm you down in a stressful situation without any need to resort to chemicals; however it is important to keep in mind that professional help is crucial to eliminate anxiety. Plants help, but they won’t completely eliminate the problem.
9 medicinal plants that will help you reduce anxiety
Before you begin to discover which medicinal plants can be of great help in your process, remember that some may have side effects if consumed unknowingly. That is why it is important to inform you very well and consume them under the guidance of specialists.
1 Valerian
If we talk about one of the most relaxing medicinal plants, without a doubt, valerian is one of the first that comes to mind. Its natural calming properties are well known. It has a sedative effect that acts on the nervous system, relaxing it and, for this reason, its infusion is used to treat anxiety and help fight insomnia.
2 Chamomile
It is one of the infusions that are used for practically everything. Chamomile will help you with digestion, fight stomach aches, regulate intestinal discomfort and can also help with stress and anxiety problems, helping us to relax when we need it most.
3 The linden
The lime blossom is one of the first things we usually turn to combat a nervous state and, when it comes to persistent anxiety ; it will also help us achieve peace and tranquility. It also helps to fall asleep when we need it most thanks to its sleeping and anxiolytic effects.
4 The grass Louise
Among its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and digestive properties, another of the properties that this plant has is a high content of melatonin, which has a calming effect that helps combat and control nerves, stress and anxiety, and also facilitates conciliation. Of the dream to achieve this effect we only have to prepare an infusion of boiled water and add 2 teaspoons Luisa grass. We will let it rest for 6 minutes and then strain it to take it half an hour before going to sleep.
5 The Melissa
This plant has a pleasant flavor and digestive, expectorant and also sedative properties. It is capable of eliminating pain caused by physical exercise, which is why it is one of the most consumed plants by athletes. It also helps with palpitations, irritability, nervousness, and episodes of anxiety and insomnia. You can ingest lemon balm in infusion (most common form), in tincture or through doses or tablets that you can find in herbalists.
6 Lavender
Lavender is well known thanks to its characteristic smell, sometimes used to make soaps or air fresheners. Little by little, this plant has positioned itself as a good relaxant for anxiety, but what is the reason? The calming effect of lavender would be given by linalool, a chemical compound that produces relaxation. In this sense, lavender could be used orally to treat anxiety through different aromatherapy techniques . Of course, as long as we do it with knowledge, by the hand of specialists and always without abusing it because it could cause headaches.
7 Passionflower
Passionflower, also known as passion flower, has multiple benefits, among which it helps to alleviate different episodes of anxiety that we can face. With a state of mild anxiety, this plant will help to relax an ache stomach or a nervous cough. In addition, it is a muscle relaxant for muscle contractures, tension and fatigue and, finally, it relieves episodes of insomnia, stress situations and feelings of emotional distress. You can often find passion flower mixed with other, especially in infusions that you can buy in supermarkets or herbalists.
8 Calendula
This plant, also known as the flower of the deceased or flamenquilla, is very common to consume as an infusion or apply it as an ointment, oil and with poultices or compresses. One of its most important properties is that it is very helpful for the skin, to treat skin conditions, especially in babies and young children. However, taking marigold baths or ingesting an infusion will help us relax in the face of episodes of nerves and anxiety that we may suffer.
9 Skullcap
You may have never heard of this plant but it has relaxing, sedative and antispasmodic properties. Without a doubt, it is one of the best allies that we can find when we talk about natural remedies that help us relax, both to calm anxiety or physical and emotional exhaustion. An infusion or a few drops in tincture diluted in water will help us to restore the imbalance of the nervous system and to better reconcile sleep, as well as to treat anxiety, stress and daily tensions.
