Stress Relief Through Herbal Remedies and Aromatherapy

Herbal remedies are natural ways to cure what ails you, natural in the fact that they grow in nature, a lot of them wild. Herbs all have different healing properties. It is important to get all of the info you can on an herb before using it, as there are some that are not safe to use in certain ways (they may irritate skin, or can not be taken internally). It is also important to talk to your doctor before starting any herbal remedies as they may have counter effects with prescription drugs that you may be taking.

One of the best herbs I have found for stress, and for depression, is St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort helps to calm you and alters brain function. But, St. John's Wort has a habit of affecting the function of many prescription medications, including birth control, so it should definitely be taken with care. Vervain tea is another great stress reliever, but also should not be taken too often. This tea will relax you (only drink it when you are at home with no plans to drive or run any sort of machinery as it causes drowsiness) and help to calm your nerves. These are both good for mild cases of stress, but need to be taken with caution.

Herbs can be drank in tea or a tincture, taken in pill form, used fresh or in liquid form, and mixed with oils to rub on the skin (which also fits into Aromatherapy). In aromatherapy it is the scent of the herb that will help you feel better, but they are also absorbed into the skin and the blood stream (which is one of the reasons why even aromatherapy is important to research well before trying). Aromatherapy uses scents to aid the body in healing itself. These scents can be of anything natural, like fruits, herbs and even flowers. The best scent to use for stress relief is peppermint. Peppermint is uplifting. The scent is fresh and invigorating. Chew peppermint gum for an instant boost of joy and energy, or sniff peppermint oil to lift your spirits. Peppermint is also widely used for people that spend a lot of time on the road, just one whiff will keep you awake behind the wheel for a little bit longer.