In these times, stress is one of the great evils present in society. That is why we are going to talk about some medicinal plants to control stress. It is essential to know how to keep it at bay to prevent it from affecting our lives and health.
And is that good mental health goes hand in hand with good physical health. For this it is important to get to know each other, find escape routes to get rid of our stress and relax. Practices such as yoga, meditation, exercise, dancing, etc. are very beneficial.
However, there are stages that either because of work or because of our personal life, it is difficult for us to get rid of our nerves and stress, which translates into being low in morale, angry, tired and, in general, bad with ourselves and with our environment.
Stress is a natural response of our body
It is normal within our body to feel stress, since it is a natural response to the demand for superior performance to the usual or normal in ourselves. This requirement can be both internal and external. It is a state of mental fatigue, as we mentioned, which usually leads to physical and mental disorders.
Therefore, it is part of the normal responses of organisms. However, the problem comes when we are exposed to these types of demands often, and stress accompanies us for long periods of time and its consequences reduce and alter our quality of life.
We must be aware that a a good part of the most common illnesses are caused by this type of continuous stress. Something increasingly common in society.
When does stress become a problem?
There are two fundamental cases in which stress becomes ongoing. On the one hand, a prolonged exposure to the stimulus that awakens stress. On the other hand, situations in which even with that stimulus disappeared, the stress remains in us. The latter happens with very strong stimuli.
Consequences of prolonged stress
Our body is ready to defend itself from this stress for what causes important changes such as: depress the mechanisms of sleep, the functioning of the immune system, the digestive system and the reproductive system. All this simultaneously, therefore the changes are very important and respond to the feeling of fatigue, discomfort, anger and falling ill more easily.
It is true that each person reacts differently to the same situation and therefore also each organism presents its own responses to ongoing stress. However, the most common is to notice a number of effects on both physical and mental health: insomnia, irritability, headache, digestive problems and infectious problems.
Prevent and reduce stress
The best option is have good mental hygiene, that is, to carry out activities that allow us to maintain an emotional and cognitive balance, that give us tools to know how to self-manage ourselves in day-to-day situations that threaten to overwhelm us. Practices such as exercising often, doing yoga, meditation, and generally maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
If prevention has not been enough at certain times or if you are looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle because you are going through a significant period of stress, there are medicinal plants that help us reduce it considerably and avoid the consequences arising from that stress.
There are many plants that help combat stress due to their relaxing properties, however, below we will discuss the main and easiest to get.
1. Melissa
Melissa is one of the most used plants to fight stress thanks to its properties that help relax the nervous system.
It is advisable to take it two or three times a day as an infusion to help relax the heart rate.
2. Chamomile
Chamomile is one of those plants that you can take on any occasion to appease a multitude of ills due to its many properties. However, the quality that interests us right now is its sedative effect.
There are two ways to use chamomile to combat stress. On the one hand infused, preferably with a little ginger and apple peel. On the other hand, in a relaxing bath, use chamomile water and a little lavender essential oil.
3 Valerian
We are facing one of the most common medicinal plants to relax. Used to combat insomnia and treat different states of nervousness thanks to the fact that it helps to slow down the heart rate and decrease brain activity.
Unlike other plants such as chamomile, this It is not recommended to use it continuously for more than two weeks, nor to mix it with some medications like anxiolytics.
4. St. John's Wort
This plant has multiple assets, among which is hyperforin, which help reduce stress, anxiety and nervousness.
5. Ginseng
The first thing to know is that there are different types of ginseng, being American ginseng which helps fight stress. Asian ginseng, on the other hand, has stimulating effects better suited to depressive states.
This plant has positive effects in terms of intellectual abilities and helps the brain to withstand pressure.
6. Linden
The great known to calm the nerves. Is perfect to help with insomnia thanks to its sedative effect. For this reason it also helps to combat effects derived from nervousness such as headaches or indigestion.
It can be used both taken as an infusion and in a relaxing bath.
7. Lavender
Lavender is another of those plants widely used in the treatment of nervousness. Highly appreciated for its aromatic properties. The smell it gives off relaxes the nervous system and reduces stress and irritability.
Can used as aromatherapy or in infusion adding a couple of tablespoons of dried lavender to a cup of boiling water and after a few minutes, before taking the infusion, add a little lemon.
8. Lemon grass
This plant is very advisable to fight insomnia and it can be taken mixed with other plants such as chamomile to enhance the effects.
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Therefore, if you are going through a time of stress, we encourage you to make a change towards healthier lifestyle habits and try these natural remedies.