Peaceful Plants: Harnessing the Relaxing Benefits of Calming Herbs
We are in the full swing of summer and if you have kiddos at home, or you love nature like I do, you may find yourself outside more. I also find that summers can get hectic. The kids are out of school, so schedules are laxer perhaps, you find yourself going camping, attending festivals, concerts, or fairs. Just all around busier and maybe a little more stressed than in the winter months.
So, it’s no surprise that we often get asked which herbs are helpful in taming anxiety and promoting relaxation and calm. Of course, this list is not all inclusive, but I thought I would give you a good sampling of things we carry here in the shop and some possible uses. As always before using any herbal supplements we recommend checking with your healthcare provider:
Lavender is known to help with anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness. Some studies suggest it can improve your body’s melatonin levels, supporting a better night’s rest. It also calms the nervous system.
Passionflower is known to relax and often used to help with sleep. Passionflower calms the nervous system and is also an antispasmodic, so it’s quite useful if your sleep is interrupted by muscle pain or digestive issues. It can also be used for anxiety.
St. John’s Wort is commonly used to help with anxiety, depression, and insomnia to name a few. Though how it works is not exactly clear.
Peppermint is known to help with anxiety and depression, to name a few. It has antispasmodic, with calming effects for digestive issues.
Lemon Balm can reduce stress, anxiety, and promote sleep to name a few. One combination to help relax and promote sleep is lemon balm, valerian, and chamomile.
Valerian is great for insomnia. Some studies show that it helps people fall asleep faster and feel that they have a better-quality sleep.
California Poppy was in our last newsletter and as mentioned can be used to help calm anxiety and help relieve physical tension.
Catnip we talked about Catnip in our November newsletter but that was so long ago, here is a refresher. It has a calming effect on people unlike its euphoric effect on our feline friends.
Chamomile is known to help with sleep and relaxation. It is a popular herb to use for calming.
Check out our recipe for a calm and relaxing tea time…
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon lavender flowers
1 teaspoon passion flower
1 teaspoon St. John's wort
1 teaspoon peppermint leaves
1 teaspoon lemon balm leaves
1 teaspoon chamomile flowers
Instructions:
Boil 2 cups of water in a kettle or pot.
While the water is boiling, combine all the herbs (lavender flowers, passion flower, St. John's wort, peppermint leaves, lemon balm leaves, and chamomile flowers) in a tea infuser or a tea bag.
Place the tea infuser or tea bag in a teapot or a heat-resistant container.
Pour the boiling water over the herbs in the teapot or container.
Let the tea steep for about 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors and therapeutic properties to infuse into the water.
Remove the tea infuser or tea bag from the teapot or container.
If desired, you can sweeten the tea with honey or a natural sweetener of your choice.
Pour the tea into a cup and enjoy its calming and soothing effects.
Note: Valerian, poppy, and catnip are known to have stronger effects and are typically used in larger quantities or as individual ingredients in specialized blends. However, they are not included in this recipe to maintain a milder and calming effect. If you would like to incorporate them, I recommend consulting an herbalist or a healthcare professional to ensure safe and appropriate usage.
Remember, if you have any specific health conditions or concerns, it's always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional before consuming herbal teas or supplements.