Herbs To Support Mental Health
Having run a business now for over 10 years, understanding how my mindset can impact my output is something that I love to investigate and tinker with. That being said, there are many times when I feel the emotional drain of running a business, parenting and just general life and no amount of positive thoughts or attempts at mindfulness help. Instead of turning to the normal (not-so-healthy) vices including stimulants such as caffeine and sugar, depressants such as wine, and addictions such as shopping and binging mindless content online, I started to look into the power of herbs to support mental health. Whether these are through supplementation, tinctures supplied by a naturopath/herbalist, or even herbal teas, using herbs to support you throughout life’s sometimes chaotic journey can help your body find balance.
Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower)
Passionflower is commonly used to help symptoms of anxiety, stress, insomnia and ADHD. It is generally promoted as a dietary supplement, but also look out for it in sleep tea blends - there really is nothing more relaxing that a hot herbal tea before bed! Due to its sedative effects, it’s also a wonderful aid for headaches and muscle pain. I speak from experience when I say that during periods of high stress, I often experience headaches and neck pain but am reluctant to take a painkiller such as Panadol or Nurofen. A cup of tea, a warm shower and an early night is a much better remedy!
Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha)
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, meaning that its use can be beneficial in helping the body combat physical and mental stress, including anxiety, insomnia and even ageing. Aswagandha consists of chemicals that help induce a calm state, lower blood pressure, are anti-inflammatory and promote whole-body rejuvenation.
Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice root)
I don’t particularly love licorice - you either love it or you loathe it and I’m very much in the loathe camp. Personal preferences aside, licorice root has incredible healing and calming properties which make it a powerful herb to use when you’re feeling flat, stressed and anxious. A common herb in Chinese medicine, liquorice root is used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant properties, and even contains minerals that stimulate and support adrenal functions helping to alleviate how much cortisol (stress hormone) your body produces. Licorice root is another wonderful herb to feature in your tea blend. Hint: if you’re not the biggest fan of the fragrance, look for tea blends that feature other prominent botanicals and herbs to mask the Licorice scent. For example, Lavender or Camomile.
Crocus sativus (Saffron)
You’re probably familiar with saffron if you like to indulge in a hearty curry! This stunningly vibrant spice boasts a distinct colour that not only brightens your dish but also your mood. Studies have found that saffron supplements were significantly more effective than placebos at treating symptoms of mild-moderate depression. While there need to be further studies carried out on this link, we can always turn to the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda which has long been using saffron as an adaptogenic agent (whole-body tonic), sedative, pain relief solution and to help calm the central nervous system.
DISCLAIMER
This content is not intended as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease or health illness. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before acting on any information presented here.
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