It’s easy to get stressed today. Modern-day frenetic schedules, fast-moving lifestyles, and daily-life stressors are enough to get on your nerves. If you sneak peek around you, you’ll find most people going through a mental struggle.
But what’s the solution to it then? Herbs! Yes, that’s right. Simple looking plants can help you fling stress out of your life and rejuvenate yourself. You’ll be surprised by the benefits of lavender, sage, rosemary, and other similar shrubs that can calm you down! In this piece, we have compiled a list of seven herbs that can help you enhance your mood.
Let’s give it a look.
1. Ginseng
An excellent adaptogen, Ginseng is a herb that blossoms great in North America and East Asia’s cool climate. Its use in Chinese Traditional Medicine for ages proves how it benefits physical and mental health. Ginseng has responsible components like ginsenosides, eleutherosides, and ciwujianosides for increasing energy levels in the human body. The herb has proven effects of mental alertness and anti-fatigue properties on active and sedentary people. Only a dose of 200 to 1000 mg worth of Ginseng is enough to boost energy, elevate concentration, and enhance adults’ mood. Insomnia, blood pressure, and diarrhea are their common side effects – so use the herb wisely.
2. Mushrooms
Although not a herb, this list cannot be complete without adding one of the excellent mood-enhancers – mushrooms. We’ll talk about magic mushrooms here. A compound called triterpene in shrooms makes it unique because they have magical calming properties. Another shroom element named psilocybin is also responsible for making people happier, calmer, and kinder. The benefits of shrooms over human mental health include curing depression, alleviating anxiety, and promoting improved sleep. Thanks to the cuisines that we can consume mushrooms as easily as pizza toppings or soup ingredients. However, not all mushrooms are edible. Eat only those that are non-toxic.
3. Chamomile
Chamomile is a flowering herb with the best impact when sipped as a herbal tea. Drinking it can increase the ‘calm time’ in your life. The herb has properties that soak up the shabby nerves and soothes the inner you. Also effective in improving sleep quality, chamomile can save your brain from stress. Having a cup of chamomile herbal tea before hitting the bed is an excellent way to ensure you only have good dreams. The herbal tea is also helpful in keeping you relaxed and energetic throughout the day.
4. Holy Basil
If your brain is worrying too much and busy overthinking, make Tulsi your best friend. The Indian herb has an influential impact on the nervous system. Holy Basil helps approaching stressful conditions with more peace. It’s because the herb acts as an adaptogen (a compound that helps the body adapt to stress easily). Tulsi also declutters blood sugar and lipids. All these little benefits sum up to uplift the mood and make you feel better. To make Tulsi work the best for your mental health, consume it regularly.
5. Rhodiola Rosea
Out of its multiple benefits, Rhodiola Rosea can decrease depression and slim stress symptoms. The herb is especially fruitful for people facing burnout – a situation of emotional, physical, and motivational exhaustion due to chronic occupational stress. A study on 118 people for 12 consecutive weeks concluded that only 400 mg of Rhodiola Rosea extract supplement could cut feelings of exhaustion, anxiety, and lack of concentration. Also known as arctic root or golden root, this herb can help you handle your life situations peacefully without stressing about it much.
6. Lemon Balm
A member of the mint plant family, Lemon Balm is a fantastic herb to kill mood-spoilers like insomnia, stress, and upset stomach. A study conducted in 2004 affirms that Lemon Balm helps remove psychological stress and its ill-impressions. The participants agreed to an increased sense of calmness and reduced stress after using the Lemon Balm herb. The herb can be consumed in capsule, leaf, or powder form to improve mental health. If you are looking for a herb to battle anxiety and have a good night’s sleep, Lemon Balm is just the perfect match for you!
7. Skullcap and Passionflower
Two individual herbs Skullcap & Passionflower, work best as a stress-buster when made partners. Call them salt & pepper or bread & butter. Both these herbs can relax your mood. Skullcap is beneficial in slowing the rushing thoughts, while Passionflower can stop the circular loop of negative thoughts in your mind. Both these herbs are blended to make a tincture or smoked together for having a peaceful mind and soothing self. When your brain gets triggered with unwanted stress, this combo of ‘S&P’ can save you anytime. So, next time when your brain is on a merry-go-round of zillion thoughts, call Skullcap and Passionflower for rescue.
Summary
Although these herbs have incredible benefits over your mental and physical health, don’t get blindfolded. Some of them can cause side-effects and interfere with regular medication results if consumed excessively. Therefore, it is better to consult a wellness expert or healthcare professional before using these herbs in daily life, especially if you have diabetes, blood pressure, or other health conditions.
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