Herbs and Other Ways of Dealing with that Feeling of Impending Doom
In this day and age there are lots of amazing challenges of all kinds that are taking place, and most of us feel a little overwhelmed by the level of anxiety we are going through.
Here are a few ways to lower your anxiety and feel great again.
Valerian – Valerian is one of the best herbs for stress… helping with insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, and inducing relaxation. And valerian is not addictive and has proven to be safe, effective, and side effect free it taken in normal amounts… and valerian has been used all the way back to the middle ages without problems. In fact at certain times it was used as food, and it even given to the soldiers during WW1 to calm their stress.
Also valerian relaxes muscles and the whole body during sleep… thus you have less aches, pains, and stiffness in the morning. Valerian contains gamma amino butyric acid which allows the brain to relax and calm away anxiety… thus creating natural sleep without feeling groggy in the morning. And valerian is very important for fatigue… because not sleeping well creates fatigue.
Lemon Balm – Lemon Balm is a type of mint with special properties. Lemon Balm soothes away stress, anxiety, helps with insomnia, and lifts up a persons mood, helps with headaches and also with depression. In a study of people taking Lemon Balm over 80% slept much deeper and woke up more refreshed, feeling much more alert. It also helps relax those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Lemon Balm also helps those suffering from indigestion from over eating. And Lemon Balm ointment is one of the few things that does seem to help in the healing of Herpes outbreaks. Plus Lemon Balm ointment is antibacterial in action and helps in the healing of other skin problems. Makes a great cup of tea!
Kava Kava – Kava Kava is very relaxing and it’s used in many of the Pacific Islands as a daily way to relax and enjoy life. It will help you de-stress and feel at ease. In fact I had a good friend went to Fiji and they gave him a cup of Kava Kava, he was so relaxed that he could hardly get around. You might try some Kava Kava… it might be just what you need.
Computer Break – Get away from that computer, that mindless piece of metal and plastic has lots of great stuff on it but it can create anxiety. Take a electronic equipment break… get out in nature, garden, do some cooking, talk to a friend that you have not talk to in a long time… it will do your body and mind good!
Live in the Here-and-Now – Take a tip from your dog or cat, watch how they don’t have any cares at all, they’re not stressed about anything. Tomorrow will come and we don’t have any control of lots of things… so let it go… live in the here-and-now.
Chamomile – Chamomile is one of the best herbs for relaxing and taking the edge off your day. Chamomile tea is wonderful with a nice herbal scent that works well for anxiety and stress and will soothe way your tension and allow you to feel at peace… and it also helps sleep.
L-Theanine – L-Theanine is made from Green Tea and is the reason why green tea produces that relaxation response that it’s so well known for. L-Theanine increases alpha brain waves which gives you a feeling of being relaxed and at the same time being totally aware, alert, and active without being drowsy. L-Theanine boosts the production of dopamine and serotonin in the brain thus making you feel happier and more at peace. L-Theanine improves memory and learning ability too!L-Theanine also lowers blood pressure and lowers cholesterol… and also helps with insomnia. And L-Theanine is great for stress, which is the number one reason we get come down with disease,… and L-Theanine is also a mild antioxidant and it boosts your immune system.
Ashwagandha Root – One of my favorite Adaptogenic herbs is Ashwagandha which makes you feel more relaxed, lowers your blood sugar level and cholesterol, plus helps you sleep, gives you more energy, and you just feel better.
Passion Flower Tea – Passion Flower grows all over and we have it growing in Puerto Rico… and Passion Fruit also comes from the plant. Passion Flower is a good sedative agent helping you to get to sleep… and it’s also great for relaxing muscles and soothing away muscles spasms. And if you tend to get GI upsets from anxiety… then Passion Flower is great for treating your challenge. Passion Flower has also been used for treating the pain associated with shingles… and because it’s a good anti spasm herb it also works well for asthma and other bronchial diseases. Some people also use it for ADD and ADHD and the like, plus it also lowers blood pressure, and some people feel it’s a good aphrodisiac. And last but not least Passion Flower has been used in the treatment of Opiate addiction… but most people use Passion Flower as very good tranquilizer… and it works great!
Deep Breathing – Breathe in and hold your breath for a count of 4, then breathe out for a count of 4, then in again for a count of 4 and on and on. Do this 24 times and you will feel better in no time. This type of breathing also helps you fall asleep.
Meditate – Meditation is simple and effective at clearing away all your anxiety. Just close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing, breathing in and out, and if a thought comes into your head say to yourself “I will get to that later” and then go back to your breathing. Meditate for 30 minutes in the morning and 30 minutes in the evening and everything will be better again. Much better than watching TV. Oprah and Dr. Oz are not pushing meditation for nothing… IT WORKS! In fact there are lots of Vipassana meditation classes around that are free… so check the internet and find one near you.
St. John’s Wort – St. Johns Wort is a great herb that helps to increase serotonin in your brain so that you feel happy. Commission E studies in Germany have shown St. John’s Wort is just as effective as all the SSI medications for mood enhancement without all the side effects. But St. John’s Wort does take time to take effect, usually about six weeks… so start now so you will start feeling better soon.
DLPA – DLPA is a supplement, an amino acid or protein… that is derived from phenylalnine which is also found in foods high in protein. DLPA is a great pain killer… and that’s also why lots of athletes use DLPA. It activates endorphins and thus helps to end pain… almost as powerful as morphine without all the side effects and addictions… and it’s a good mood elevating supplement too.
DLPA is great for depression helping to boost your endorphins… thus helping you to have a better outlook on life and feel happier… and more enthused about life in general. DLPA will boost your energy level and give you the endurance that you’ve always wanted. — Again those endorphins are coursing through your mind making it possible for you to keep moving.
Talk to a Friend – Before we had computers and television we would spend lots of time talking to friends and loved ones. We would get things off our chest and air them out into the open and feel better. For some reason now we think it’s wrong to talk to friends about what we are feeling. Talk to someone and let them know what you are feeling and you will start feeling better.
Remember You are Not Alone – A lot of the time we think we are the only one feeling like this… but if we look around we see lots of people feeling the exact same way. Start a group, get out and talk to people about what they can do to feel better… use your anxiety to help others… and your anxiety will disappear.
Hops – Dried Hops Flowers make a great tea that’s wonderful for stress, anxiety, and for helping one get a good nights rest and helps sooth the GI tract. Hops Flowers are antibacterial and antiviral in action and also contain a form of estrogen that helps with menopause and also helps with PMS. And Hops Flowers are a very good diuretic and also has some anti-inflammatory ability too, thus helping with arthritis and inflammation in general in the body. And Hops Flowers contain a lot of flavonoids and antioxidants that help the body defend itself against aging and free radicals.
Licorice Root – Licorice Root grows in Asia and has many health benefits. Licorice root is great for stress and stress related diseases… and it’s full of glycyrrhizin, which is great for supporting the adrenal glands… and also works well for fibromyalgia, shingles, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Also Licorice Root boosts the immune system and promotes the production of interferon, which has been used in the treatment of many diseases including cancer.
Licorice Root is a great anti-inflammatory agent helping to sooth the GI, Respiratory, and Urinary systems and helps with pain too. Because Licorice Root is antibacterial and antiviral… it also works well for herpes, cold sores, and viral hepatitis and other diseases. And Licorice Root combats fungal vaginal infections too! And Licorice Root stimulates cellular growth of the lining of the stomach and intestines making it great for gastric and intestinal ulcers… there have been many studies on ulcer healing and Licorice Root.
And taking a cup of Licorice Root Tea (Which is sweet tasting) in the morning can help with depression, anxiety, and other nervous problems too! And some people chew on the root itself… helping them to calm down and feel at peace. And Licorice Root has lots of antioxidants and works to harmonize the workings of the body in general.
Let Go of Worry – Worry leads to a lack of energy, lowered immune system, and causes weight gain and depression. Let go of all of it… it’s not worth your time. Control your mind, you can do it, every thought that comes into your head you decide to think. Thus as Buddha said, “Judge Your Thoughts”.
See the Good in Everything – We have to see the good in all things and know without a doubt that we will get through everything, just like we’ve gotten through everything else… all will work out.
Give it All Up to Your Higher Power – Sometimes we don’t have control over everything in life… so it’s important to give it up to your Higher Power and allow God, the Tao, and the Universe to take over and know that everything will be great. Prayer and sitting in silence can soothe the soul and create a life giving balm that heals our emotions.
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About the Author
Dr. Paul Haider – Master Herbalist and Spiritual Teacher for over 20 years, helping people to recover and feel healthy. You can also find Dr. Haider on FB under Dr. Paul Haider, Healing Herbs, Shambala Spiritual Transformation Institute, Meditation for the Soul, and Relax Into Success, Punjab teas, and at www.paulhaider.com – feel free to contact him any time. Also check out Dr. Haider’s radio show at http://www.thesourcecenterradio.com/The-Relaxed-Soul.html Oct. show to be about “Something is About to Happen… and what to do about it”
