If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Introduction: Homeopathic Philosophy

Herbal remedies combat stress are popular: one need only check the Internet for the amount of websites promoting herbal and homoeopathic remedies. Stress is a common predicament today. It can lead to all manner of health problems: everything from ulcers to impotence; heart problems, digestive problems even leading to cancer. Not everyone goes to doctor, or necessarily trusts modern medicine. Homoeopathy is a controversial alternative and many of its remedies are so dilute that conventional science argues it can not really be effective. However, homeopathy seeks to use chemicals, particularly from naturally occurring compounds such as herbs, to treat like with like with like: this recreates symptoms in a minute way. The symptoms are seen as the body’s way of attempting to restore its own equilibrium.

Herbs are Chemicals Too!

The common faith behind this trust in herbal remedies is that they are natural, trusted for centuries and will have fewer side effects than conventional drug therapies. Yet many of the herbal remedies for stress are related, if not the active ingredient, for the synthetic counterparts: valerian root for instance, a common substitute for sleeping pills, forms the basis of valium!

If They are Chemicals What Do They Do?

In fact herbal based stress remedies will work in the same way as prescribed drugs: altering chemical functions in the brain and the nervous system. Rhodiola is widely used to help deal sleep disorders, but what it does is boost the serotonin levels in the brain and therefore suppressing the chemicals that cause depression. Some stress relieving herbal remedies make have unexpected effects. For example, give Cat Nip to Tiddles and see the excitement; but take it yourself and you might find yourself becoming more sleepy as well as finding your digestion improving. Chamomile tea is a popular herbal stress remedy, but as well being calming, it can also help boost the immune systems during downturns in mood. Unfortunately herbal remedies are not always without sides effects: St Johns Wort, a widely used herbal anti-depressant can prove problematic when taken with certain conventional drugs. As ever, consult a health professional if in any doubt.

Other uses For the Herbs

However, herbal stress remedies do not necessarily have to be ingested to be effective. Aromatherapy has always been a popular way to relax. Lavender oil, either burned or dropped in a bath is claimed by many to be soothing and calming. In the end, whatever herbal remedy is chosen, stress can also be combated by exercise, a good diet and time dedicated to switching off.

Conclusions

Herbal remedies have been used by humans for hundreds of years. Some of the treatments that we use today were based on natural materials. Herbal remedies are a very effective treatment for many conditions, including stress.

Tags: Health

Popularity: 3% [?]

Share This