Last Updated on April 23, 2023 by Avia
The modern world is teeming with stressors, and most people find it hard to manifest peace in their day-to-day lives. Relaxing herbs might lend you a hand. In fact, people have been using herbs for centuries for all manner of purposes. Sure – cooking is what many of us might think when we think of herbs, and they’re certainly rock stars in the kitchen. However, there are specific herbs to help you relax, heal, recover and even boost your mood.
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About Herbs for Relaxation
Beyond therapy and lifestyle changes, natural substances have proven effective as stress and anxiety treatments. They’re gentle and safe, supporting wholesome leisure activities and letting you lead a better life.
There are myriad examples of these substances, so which should you use? We’d emphasize lavender
oil, kava extracts, and Green Malay kratom capsules which you can try here as potent relaxers. Keep reading to discover three top herbs to help you relax and enhance your mellow. That said, please consult your doctor about taking these or any herbs to help you relax. This article is not meant to replace medical advice.
How Do Relaxing Herbs Work?
For thousands of years, people have used herbs to cure ailments, strengthen immunities, and promote general wellness. One of the most prominent ways they employed natural substances is to soothe frayed nerves.
There is genuine science backing the validity of herbs for health and wellness. As science progressed, it discovered several stress-busting chemicals in traditional herbs used in tea for relaxation.
Stressed bodies produce cortisol, a hormone that makes it hard to unwind. It interacts with our receptors and leaves us jittery, tense, and on edge. Your focus is elsewhere, even if you’re motivated to meditate, practice gratitude, and nourish your soul. As a result, frustration comes easier than harmony.
The compounds found in various herbal remedies counter these harmful effects of stress.
For instance, aromatic terpenes in flowers can also affect your brain and bring balance back into your system. Some common plant-based alkaloids double as ingredients in sedative drugs.
Some substances aid sleep, while others reduce the body’s nervous response. You might use them via ingestion, aromatherapy, or topical application.
Another bonus of using herbal cures is the moment of mindfulness. You pause and focus on their aroma, and the technique grounds you. Even disregarding the plants’ chemical benefits, the act can bring calm back into your life.
1. Lavender
Lavender is renowned as a herb to calm the mind. It’s well-known for bringing soothing sensations without sedation.
Research has found lavender effective in fighting anxiety, agitation, restlessness, nervousness, and disturbed sleep. As such, it might relax you after a long day at work or during a challenging life period. It can boost mood, reduce heart and breathing rates, and lower adrenaline levels.
Lavender’s soothing properties come from its dominant terpene linalool. It affects the brain receptors and has an anxiolytic effect without impairing movement. In simple terms, you feel calmer without becoming doozy and dizzy.
How do you apply this flower to fight anxiety?
Most studies and traditions revolve around ingestion. Consuming 80–100 mg of lavender oil daily seems to be effective in keeping you anxiety-free.
Aromatherapy is another way to harness this plant’s potential. We now know a lot about the power of scents to calm the system. The research agrees, suggesting that you inhale it for ten minutes.
Soaking in a lavender bath may deliver much-needed TLC. You can also use essential oil for massages if combining several relaxation practices.
2. Kratom
Kratom is a Southeast Asian tree with a history in natural medicine. It has dose-dependent effects, acting either as a stimulant or sedative. Higher doses are recognized for evening use to unwind and sleep better.
This herb contains two alkaloids that interact with opioid receptors, bringing pleasure and a sense of peace. People struggling with anxiety might find its effects valuable for symptom management.
You can tweak the dose of kratom for different forms of relaxation:
- Small quantities leave you energized, happy, and friendly. They’re great for active hobbies and expression through art.
- Moderate doses are euphoric and pain-relieving. They induce a carefree mental state valuable to folks going through a tough time and looking for respite.
- High doses are sedating and sleep-inducing. They can help you wind down before bed and drift into a peaceful slumber.
You might also find different colors of this herb in stores. As a rule, white is energizing, while red strains offer the best kratom for sedation. Green delivers a moderate option, leaving you at ease but not sleepy.
Kratom comes in tea, capsule, and powder form. Here’s how you might use it:
- Teas are relatively fast-acting, especially when combined with lemon juice. A cup is excellent before a bath or yoga practice.
- Capsules are versatile and have a gradual effect onset. You can consume small doses for activities that require movement or higher amounts for a slow night.
- Powders are similar to capsules but slower-acting. The gradual effects last 4–6 hours, offering long-lasting relief that keeps you productive.
3. Kava
Kava is another relaxing herb with a long history as a ceremonial drink and natural remedy. It’s native to Samoa, Hawaii, and Fiji, produces pleasant sensations and is said to have a calming effect.
This plant contains kavain, a compound with anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory properties. It uplifts the mood and reduces the stress response in people struggling to relax.
Kava induces feelings of serenity and sometimes euphoria. Higher doses are intoxicating and sedating, helping you fall asleep if anxiety keeps you awake. According to existing evidence, it’s less addictive and intrusive than pharmaceuticals with the same purpose.
This herb is available in tea, tincture, and capsule form. Scientists suggest consuming over 250 milligrams a day.
Most people opt for kava beverages, which they combine with honey and lemon for an enjoyable flavor. You might pair the root with other soothing herbs to create a personal blend.
Tinctures and capsules are great for folks struggling to relax during work hours. They don’t offer the ceremonial moment of tea drinking, but they take the edge off while being neat and discreet.
Calm Your Body and Mind
Lavender oil can combat jitteriness, kratom for relaxation may take the edge off, and kava could support sleep. Combine them with decompression practices like breathwork, yoga, volunteering, and journaling for holistic wellness.
Herbal treatments are gentle gifts from mother earth to help us find balance. So, why not give these three herbs to help you relax a shot? Buy lavender, kava, and kratom products from reputable retailers to stay safe. Let their soothing properties lead you toward tranquility. But again, we strongly advise that you consult with your doctor first. This article should not replace medical advice.