Try to eat
nourishing food, drink plenty of water, exercise and get a good night sleep.
Sounds simple but it is much easier said than done some days. This
is when I turn to my tea cabinet. Oat straw, valerian, chamomile and
nettles, and lemon balm spring to mind. Ashwaghanda starts to become
my night cap. Just the act of making the tea can be calming.
When I refer to tea it is in the traditional sense, the act
of making an infusion of herb and water, not a tiny bag filled with black tea.
Put the kettle on, bring the water to a simmer, pour over the herb and
let steep for three to four minutes, strain and sip. Add a little honey
or lemon if you like.
Oat straw (Avena sativa) - Most are
familiar with the grains that we use as a cereal but the straw can also be used
as a tea. Both are mildly antidepressant, gently raising energy levels
and supporting an over stressed nervous system. They can be used to treat
insomnia in those suffering from nervous exhaustion. A decoction (put
herbs in a saucepan of water and simmer gently for 20 - 30 minutes then strain)
of the herb can be added to the bath with the added benefit of soothing
itchiness and eczema. (Chevallier, 1996, p. 175)
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) – For most people valerian works as a relaxant
but for a rare few it has an opposite effect. Valerian reduces mental
over-activity and excitability for those times when you just can’t “switch
off.” It is perfect for when that causes
insomnia. It has a calming, rather than
directly sedative, effect on the mind.
It is used for many symptoms of anxiety, including tremors, panic,
palpitations and sweating. (Chevallier, 1996, p. 148)
Chamomile (Chamomilla rectita) – I think of this herb first for helping with
colic and children. It is used for a variety
of digestive problems including Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel
syndrome. It eases tense muscles and
menstrual pain. It can relieve
irritability and helps sleep, especially in children. (Chevallier, 1996,
p. 80)
Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) – This seems like an odd choice by most for
stress. It is not relaxing, calming or
any of the qualities you would think of as helping. I add this to the list because it is a tonic,
nourishing the body. It is cleansing and
detoxifying. It is high in potassium
content and increases urine production and the elimination of waste products. (Chevallier,
1996, p. 146) It is nourishing as it
is high in vitamins, minerals and protein. (Soule, 2013. p. 170)
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) – Lemon balm has long been revered for its
ability to enhance memory and circulation to the brain. It also eases stress, anxiety, panic attacks,
insomnia and general nervousness. It has
been used in the treatment of ADD and ADHD.
It works well for children and adults who easily become overwhelmed or
who are considered highly sensitive. Fresh leaves with have more of a lemon
taste than the dried. (Soule, 2013. p. 167)
Ashwagandha (Withania
somnifera) – This root has many medicinal values. One being that it is calming and strengthening
to the nervous system without being over stimulating. It is great for anxiety, nervous exhaustion,
impaired memory, insomnia, ADHD, stress-induced ulcers and chronic debilitation
that are the result of physical and mental overwork. It calms the mind and
promotes a deep, restful sleep. Unlike
the herbs mentioned above this is not used as an infusion. Each night warm 1 tsp.
root powder with 1 cup of milk (cow, goat, oat, nut or seed) sweetened with
honey or molasses. It is a powdered root so it will have a little bit of
texture but it is a wonderful bedtime ritual. Ashwagandha is rich in iron and
can be used to treat iron-deficient anemia when taken this way. Avoid if you
are sensitive to plants in the nightshade family, you have hemochromatosis (excess
iron), or you have hyperthyroidism. It
can enhance or increase the effect of barbiturates. (Soule, 2013. p. 146)
Bibliography
Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia
of Herbal Medicine: The Definitive Reference to 550 Herbs and Remedies for
Common Ailments. New York :
A Dorling Kindersley Book, 1996.
Soule, Deb. How to Move Like a Gardener. Rockport , Maine : Under
the Willow
Press, 2013.
