Anxiety and worries can lead to depression and unhappiness. Severe depression needs professional help but for minor “downs” lemon balm and borage can be especially uplifting, while St John’s wort is gaining in reputation as equivalent in effect to many orthodox drugs. These herbs can also be supportive for those undergoing professional treatment.

Old herbals often describe how even looking on cheerful plants can lift the spirits and “comfort the harte”. Perhaps it is worth remembering part of an old Persian poem:

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft, And of thy store, three loaves alone are left,

Sell one, and with the dole

Buy hyacinths to feed the soul.

Insomnia

The amount of sleep we each need varies considerably and sometimes we require rather more sleep than at others. Sleeplessness only becomes a problem when sufferers feel tired and unable to concentrate during the day or when it becomes a worry in itself. There are many causes for disturbed sleep patterns: heavy meals late at night can lead to disturbed digestion; painful joints and muscles or irritating coughs will keep most people awake, while catnapping during the day simply fills up the sleep quota and there is no need for further rest.

Herbal BeautyInsomnia is commonly associated with tension, worries and a failure to relax before bedtime. The majority of herbal remedies for sleeplessness are based on sedative and relaxing herbs which will help to reduce anxieties, calm an overactive mind and encourage sleep. Unlike orthodox treatments they are nonaddictive, although some people find that the potency of an insomnia remedy is reduced if they take it regularly, so it can be worthwhile changing the mix from time to time if long-term use is likely.

As always with herbal medicine, it is far better to identify and treat the cause of a problem rather than simply tackle the symptoms, so if inability to relax or over-anxiety is the root cause of insomnia, meditation classes or a review of lifestyle concerns might provide the solution. Vervain taken in its Bach Flower Remedy form can be particularly useful for such tense individuals. Other suitable remedies include hops, wild lettuce, passion flower or Californian poppy.

Improving energy levels

Herbal stimulants are, of course, familiar to all: coffee, tea and chocolate which are rich in caffeine, theobromine and related alkaloids and are regularly used as a short-term restorative to keep students and night owls awake. They are, however, superficial remedies offering no real longterm benefits when it comes to improving energy levels and strengthening the nervous system. A better alternative is rosemary, which contains a stimulant called borneal. Take it as an infusion or add a few drops of rosemary oil to stimulating baths.

Longer-term energy tonics are often a better option: Korean ginseng is now well established in the West as a tonic remedy. In traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng tends to be regarded as boosting the masculine (yang) energies and, while it can be taken by women, other tonics are often preferable. Siberian ginseng is traditionally feminine (yin) in character and so can be more suitable for women. A favourite Chinese tonic for women is Dang Gu i now more widely available in the West. Other tonic herbs worth considering include shiitake mushrooms, elecampane, oats, almonds, grapes, thyme, liquorice and sage.

If a stressful time is looming – such as exams or a heavy work period – then it is worth taking tonic herbs before the event to provide an energy boost, rather than depending on short-term stimulants once the stresses mount. Siberian ginseng is particularly useful for helping the body cope more efficiently with stress and improving performance.

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Insomnia, Anxiety and Stress, Nervous Health Concern