"What herbs cannot heal, the knife heals, and what the knife cannot heal, fire heals" – Hippocrates

Certain substances are needed to switch off and relax. Two of these substances are GABA and serotonin. These are neurotransmitters that are released when there is no stress. Actually, it's the other way around: when stress is present, it first needs to be resolved. If this is successful, Serotonin (Luck) and FRONT(Rest) are released. These substances ensure that you can relax, enjoy the here and now, fall asleep and stay asleep, and that your body can recover at night.

Everyone goes through periods of increased stress. And sometimes these last longer than desired. Chronic stress negatively impacts rest and good sleep. People experiencing stress know this all too well. The underlying cause must be addressed before these substances can be produced. There are medications that can help with rest and sleep. These medications are effective, but they have the disadvantage of leading to dependence and habituation. The withdrawal process is often difficult. There are also natural remedies that have roughly the same effect with fewer or no side effects.

In this article, I'll discuss the best natural remedies for restlessness, anxiety, and insomnia. You can also use these herbs occasionally as a preventative measure. It works even better if you help your body calm down by avoiding screen time in the evenings, meditating, nourishing your body, and learning a healthy breathing pattern. Oh, and lots of laughter!

Valerian – grounding and relaxing

There are many herbs that can help if you are temporarily stressed. valerianValerian root is known to contain, among other things, GABA and valerenic acid. These substances promote good sleep quality (even in people without sleep problems). You fall asleep more easily and stay asleep without feeling drowsy the next morning. Valerian root also has an anxiety-reducing effect and helps relax muscles.

St. John's wort, herbal antidepressant

St. John's wort is a very powerful plant for anxiety, insomnia, and depressive symptoms. In fact, it is so potent that herbal products that St. John's wortincluded, as medicines were approved for the treatment of adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms. As an example, I'll mention a study from 2005 in which it appears to work better than Prozac.

In a double-blind, randomized study, 135 individuals with severe depressive symptoms were divided into three groups: a placebo group, a St. John's wort group (900 mg per day), and a Prozac group (20 mg fluoxetine per day). Significant improvements were observed in 38% of those receiving St. John's wort, 30% of those receiving Prozac, and 21% of those receiving placebo. (J Clin Psychopharmacol, 2005).

What's also interesting is to look at the placebo group. There's an improvement there too. That's the power of your mind! Can you imagine what happens when you use this consciously and intentionally?

Important: Because St. John's wort affects the serotonin system, you should not combine it with antidepressants. Doing so can lead to serotonin syndrome. Believe me, too little serotonin isn't pleasant, but too much certainly is. It can feel like a panic attack. It will pass after a few hours, but it's not enjoyable.

The beautiful and healing passionflower

PassionsblumePassionflower is an herb widely used for anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, as well as PMS and stomach aches. It has a calming and antispasmodic effect. The herb enhances the neurotransmitter GABA. This is the same effect as with anti-anxiety medications, and alcohol also has this effect. However, passionflower has a longer duration of action and does not cause addiction. You also won't be left with a hangover.

Hops, a powerful herb

Hops are a creeping plant belonging to the hemp family. Since the Middle Ages, hops have been used in brewing beer to flavor, clarify, and preserve it. Hops have also long been used as a sedative and sleep aid. They were even used to treat an upset stomach (whether this was in the form of beer, I don't know). In the past, dried hop cones were placed under the pillow to combat insomnia. These hop varieties were regularly replaced with new ones, as the active ingredients change with age, becoming more stimulating and invigorating. Hops are therefore a wonderful herb for an evening blend. Ideally, use them as fresh as possible.

When taking antidepressants, it is recommended to use hops in moderation and first observe how they affect you. It is said that hops, due to their calming effect, can intensify depressive feelings. Hops can also sometimes cause allergic reactions affecting the skin and/or respiratory system in some people.

Lemon balm comforts and relaxes.

Lemon balm is one of the best herbs for nervousness, anxiety, and insomnia. It is also frequently used in times of grief. Lemon balmIt influences our limbic system and our neurotransmitters, especially GABA, which help us sleep and relax. This plant protects us from external stimuli. Lemon balm calms the central nervous system, which soothes breathing and slows the heart rate. This calms repetitive thoughts and makes it easier to fall asleep. Lemon balm is effective for ailments that can also be treated with anti-anxiety medication and is always the first herb I mention when people want something natural.

sage

The newest addition to this series is sage. Sage means "to heal." This indicates that its medicinal properties have been known for a long time. sageSage has a very broad spectrum of healing properties. Most people know it as a good herb for colds and coughs. True, sage has strong anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. Fewer people know that sage also has calming and sleep-inducing properties. It's a complicated story, but it influences the neurotransmitter GABA through various mechanisms, which reduces irritability and promotes calmness.

Ineke Eebes

Orthomolecular Therapist

www.holymayo.nl

Disclaimer

Some websites claim that valerian is a non-addictive sleep aid. However, with many natural products that affect your neurotransmitters, you will eventually become less sensitive to the substance if you are overstimulated, and the effect will diminish. This isn't due to the substance itself, but rather to the way our bodies function. Therefore, if you are using an herb therapeutically, it's important to use it only temporarily and discontinue it after a maximum of six weeks. It's crucial that you also address the underlying cause. Always be aware of potential interactions with other medications.