Many people take a daily vitamin to ensure they get the nutrients they need for improved health and energy.
We need vitamins for our body’s basic functions and interactions between cells.
Taking an herbal supplement is another way to get health benefits, but we don’t think of herbs as readily as vitamins.
Imagine taking a supplement that helps your focus, energy level, sleep, and sense of peace. Many herbs actually fight depression and lift your mood.
Herbal supplements also offer protection against disease and the effects of stress, and taking a supplement allows you to get an array of benefits from different herbs all in one capsule.
The raises the question, what kind of herbs should you look for in a blend?
Following you’ll find 10 herbs that will give you calm energy, better focus, better sleep, and even help with weight loss.
It’s scientific name is Passiflora, but it’s also known as the passion flowers or passion vines.
Passion flower is a vine native to the tropics and sub-tropics that promotes restful sleep and relaxation.
A 2010 study in Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology found that passion flower affects gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors and other neurotransmitters in the central nervous system to calm us.
It’s a very powerful herbal sedative, some saying it’s as effective as valium. So it’s very popular as a remedy for insomnia.
This herb is known as Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, or winter cherry, while its scientific name is Withania somnifera.
This adaptogenic can be brewed as a tea for morning or evening, or taken in a capsule.
Ashwagandha has regulates cortisol levels, reduces inflammation, repairs oxidative damage to cells, and promotes restful sleep.
It’s beneficial for anyone overwhelmed by stress who feels exhausted or agitated. It also boosts the immune system, and its antioxidant properties destroy free radicals, making it a great anti-ageing formula and disease preventative.
In Sanskrit ashwagandha means “the smell of a horse,” because they felt it could impart the vigor and strength of a stallion. It also apparently smells a little like a horse! But you won’t have to smell it if you take a pill supplement.
The benefits outweigh the smell anyway.
Examine.com says, “Ashwagandha has been called the king of Ayurvedic (traditional healing through herbs) for stress and anxiety relief. It may also provide neuroprotection, and is being researched for athletic performance as well.”
The site goes on to say, “Ashwagandha is best known for its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties: it can lower cortisol levels and may mitigate stress-induced insomnia, depression, and immunosuppression. It can also reduce low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), improve physical performance in both sedentary people and athletes, and maybe help treat Alzheimer's disease.”
Ashwagandha actually contains many useful medicinal chemicals, including withanolides (steroidal lactones), alkaloids, choline, fatty acids, and amino acids, all of which offer health benefits.
It supports and energetic and rejuvenating sense of well-being because it actually helps with a wide variety of issues such as:
Ashwagandha appears to be a promising cancer fighter and might even destroy certain cancer cells. Research is finding that ashwagandha supplements can help fight cancer alongside other treatments like chemo and radiation.
Matricaria chamomilla is also known as Matricaria recutita, German chamomile or wild chamomile. It’s the most famous of calming herbs, and many people drink it as a sleepy time tea.
It’s been used since the beginning of time, and for some surprising reasons.
The Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians used it to treat wounds and promote healing. Chamomile tea is derived from Matricaria chamomilla L, which has anti inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
The plant’s delicate flower has a mild scent and pleasant taste, and can be used to calm an upset stomach. So chamomile tea will calm you down, settle your stomach, and help you sleep.
Chamomile even helps with period-related symptoms. A study published in the Journal of Agriculture and Chemistry said that Chamomile tea has pain-relieving and antispasmodic properties. It relaxes the uterus and decreases the production of prostaglandins, which cause inflammation and pain.
Melissa officinalis, known as lemon balm, balm, common balm, or balm mint, is native to south-central Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean region, and Central Asia.
As the name implies, it has a lemony scent and produces pale-lemon colored flowers.
Lemon Balm is a nervine herb, meaning it supports the nervous system
That means it’s highly beneficial for sufferers of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by reducing agitation in patients.
It’s actually used in treatment for hyperthyroidism, but that means it shouldn’t be taken if you have hypothyroidism.
Lemon balm is also a digestive aid, anti-depressant, and anti-anxiety, so it’s a powerful addition to other calming herbs.
In 2004, a study called, “Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteers” documented the effectiveness of lemon balm along with herbs known to reduce anxiety.
Subjects who received lozenges with the herbs showed marked increases in the alpha wave activities that are associated with relaxation.
They also showed increases in the brain wave activity associated with attention.
Like Lemon Balm, Lavender is one of those herbs with a distinctive smell.
Lavandula is a genus of 39 known species of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae.
Lavender is native to the Mediterranean, and used for its calming and soothing effects. Some inhale it as an essential oil to relieve pain and reduce anxiety.
The plant is well known for its calming effect on the brain, helping with anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
A study by the European Neurology found lavender essential oil significantly reduces the severity of migraine headaches.
Another study showed that using lavender oil in aromatherapy decreases agitation in patients in nursing homes.
Many people will attest to the calming affects of smelling lavender, so it’s a must-have herb for your calming supplement.
Hypericum perforatum, known as Perforate St John’s-wort, Common Saint John’s wort and St John’s wort, is a flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae.
This herb is known as the bright yellow antidepressant because some people prefer it over prescription drugs. It’s all natural and doesn’t have the side effects of prescription meds.
St. John’s Wort is a known mood lifter and mild sedative. It relaxes the body and mind and yet it actually fights fatigue.
It’s used to treat:
This is a powerful herb, so check with your doctor about drug interactions—it can reduce the effectiveness of birth control.
Crataegus, commonly called hawthorn, quickthorn, thornapple, May-tree, whitethorn, or hawberry, is a large genus of shrubs and trees in the family Rosaceae, native to the Northern Hemisphere in Europe, Asia and North America.
Hawthorn, a beautiful shrub with dark green leaves and small red berries, is hugely beneficial for our heart.
An article in the Pharmacognosy Review shared that the leaves, flowers, and fruit can strengthen the cardiovascular system and relax blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.
Hawthron is known as the heart herb because it’s also used to strengthen the heart muscle, normalize heart rhythms, act as an antioxidant to reduce and prevent plaque build-up in the arteries, and increase circulation to the extremities.
Hops are actually related to the cannabis family, which helps to explain how they work to relax muscles and treat anxiety.
Hops contain a flavonoid compound, xanthohumol, that may have antiviral, anti-clotting, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activity.
Hops has historically been used, often with valerian, to promote sleep, and the effectiveness of this combination has been validated in a number of placebo-controlled studies.
Additionally, hops have an anti-anxiety effect. This herb effectively relaxes aching muscles and eases body pain.
Research shows that the sedative effects of hops comes from its ability to lower body temperature. Lowering body temperature helps to bring about drowsiness and is an important part of the body’s sleep process.
Valerian too has been long used to treat difficulty sleeping, restlessness, nervousness, and anxiety.
It’s native to parts of Asia and Europe, where it’s been used for over a thousand years. It’s actually the root of the perennial valerian plant, or Valeriana officinalis, that’s harvested for medicinal use.
The Mayo Clinic says, “Results from multiple studies indicate that valerian — a tall, flowering grassland plant — may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and help you sleep better.”
Valerian does has a strong odor, but you can avoid that by taking valerian in pill form.
The magnolia tree has bright flowers with a fragrant aroma. In the summer, the root and bark are harvested, dried, and boiled so they turn into a purple brown color.
This bitter extract is then used in medicine and dietary supplements to:
The above health benefits are largely due to are two lignans called honokiol and magnolol, which function as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-allergic agents.
They work together to prevent and treat depression.
Honokiol is a strong anxiety treatment because it has anxiolytic qualities that impact the hormonal balance in the body, particularly stress hormones.
Honokiol produces a relaxing and calming effect by stimulating the GABA-A receptor.
Magnolia regulates the endocrine system and lowers hormone release in the body. A similar chemical pathway allows it to help relieve depression as it stimulates the release of dopamine and pleasure hormones.
Honokiol and magnolol both produce antidepressant effects and improve energy levels by increasing serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the prefrontal cortex.
Along with these 10 powerful herbal ingredients, you might also consider taking other natural herbal remedies such as oatstraw, Panax ginseng, rhodiola, scullcap, and L-theanine.
You can actually find all of these in one daily capsule through Nutrition Blends Inner Peace Formula.
This formula contains 18 ingredients that are scientifically proven to lift mood, improve sleep, support immunity, improve brain health, and relieve the negative effects of stress.
Learn more at www.nutritionblends.com.
References
Gyllenhaal C, Merritt SL, Peterson SD, Block KI, Gochenour T. Efficacy and safety of herbal stimulants and sedatives in sleep disorders. Sleep Med Rev. 2000 Jun;4(3):229-51.
Kennedy DO, Little W, Haskell CF, Scholey AB. Anxiolytic effects of a combination of Melissa officinalis and Valeriana officinalis during laboratory induced stress. Phytother Res. 2006 Feb;20(2):96-102.
Dimpfel W, Pischel I, Lehnfeld R. Effects of lozenge containing lavender oil, extracts from hops, lemon balm and oat on electrical brain activity of volunteers. Eur J Med Res. 2004 Sep 29;9(9):423-31.
“Eight Herbs for Calm” The Alchemists Kitchen.
“Natural Sleep Supplements.” https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/5-natural-sleep-supplements-that-actually-work/slide/2/
Lemon Balm. https://www.drweil.com/vitamins-supplements-herbs/herbs/lemon-balm/
Therapeutic effects and safety of Rhodiola rosea extract WS® 1375 in subjects with life-stress symptoms--results of an open-label study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22228617
Nobre AC, Rao A, Owen GN.L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. (2008)
Kimura K, et al.L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biol Psychol. (2007)
Learningherbs.com
“Evidence Based 7 Science-Backed Health Benefits of Rhodiola Rosea.” Healthline.com
