ArticleInsight.net

Introduction: Homeopathic Philosophy

There has been an up-surge in herbal stress remedies in recent years. Everybody these days seems to suffer from stress. Nevertheless stress is a killer! Not to cause you any distress. Stress produces particular chemical reactions in the body, which, if left unchecked, can lead to everything from indigestion, to sexual dysfunction; from major depression to heart failure, and cancer. Whilst some might consult a medical professional to combat the onset of stress, others might sooner deal with through herbalism and homeopathy. The effectiveness of homeopathy is widely disputed by conventional science, but its philosophy is quite simple and rather runs along the lines of trying to boost the body’s systems of dealing with symptoms.

Herbs are Chemicals Too!

The common faith behind this trust in herbal remedies is that they are natural, trusted for centuries and will have fewer side effects than conventional drug therapies. Yet many of the herbal remedies for stress are related, if not the active ingredient, for the synthetic counterparts: valerian root for instance, a common substitute for sleeping pills, forms the basis of valium!

If They are Chemicals What Do They Do?

Like the synthetic drugs many herbal remedies aid in altering the chemical reactions throughout the body. Some act as sedatives and tranquillizers, whilst others are mood enhancers. Hops, for example, is commonly used to aid sleep; as is chamomile, but this can also be used to boost the immune system during periods of depression. Skull Cap, and strangely Cat Nip is used to calm the brain down. Whereas Rhodiola can be multifunctional: it’s classed as an adaptogenic herb and can be used in regulating the heart, as well as improving the serotonin levels and thus suppressing the depression causing chemicals in the brain. It’s also an aphrodisiac, perhaps something that may also improve the mood. St John’s Wort is a popular alternative to conventional anti-depressants, although it should be checked with a health professional before using, as adverse reactions are known to occur when taken with other medications.

Other uses For the Herbs

Herbal remedies are not necessarily about ingesting: aromatherapy is very popular. Smelling scented oils like lavender, usually in an oil burner or dropped into the bath is said to have a calming effect on the brain. However, stress can also be controlled by being more positively pro-active. Exercise, a good diet and plenty of down time are also really useful in coping with life.

Conclusions

Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years. Some of the medications we use today were originally based on natural materials. Herbal remedies are an effective treatment for many ailments, not limited to but including conditions such as stress.