Herbal Teas
- Teas of chamomile, basil, marjoram, sage, or mint help ease stress. Use about 1 ounce of fresh herbs (half of that dried) for every 2 to 3 cups of water.
- A tea of elderberry flowers is considered relaxing to the nerves and is sleep-inducing too. (Caution - avoid if pregnant).
- For insomnia, drink bee balm. It acts as a mild sedative, calming the nerves and aiding sleep. Take an infusion of 2 teaspoons chopped leaves in 1 cup boiling water.
- Drink rosemary tea to alleviate melancholy or depression.
- Native American tea ingredients for insomnia included lady's slippers (decocted), yarrow, mullein, hops, and purslane (decocted)
- Valerian tea (or capsules) is a natural sleep aid. In infusions 1 ounce of the roots in 1 pint of boiling water is a common recipe, consumed by wineglass as needed. (Caution: Too high a dose may lead to negative side effects.)
Food Remedies for Anxiety
- Do not eat your final meal late in the evening, and keep the meal light.
- Eating lettuce with your dinner is supposed to be calming, helping you to sleep and have pleasant dreams. Some say you should not have vinegar with your lettuce.
- Mandarin oranges are soporific, so consider adding them to your evening meal to help insomnia.
- Native Americans reportedly ate raw onions to induce sleep. (They also used a variety of herbal syrups and poultices, but they're a bit too complicated for most of us today)
- Trying to remain relaxed but alert? Some studies suggest that the smell of apples, apple cider vinegar, or spiced apples has this effect. The right smell can make all the difference.
- Adding some calm inducing foods to your diet can be helpful.
Massages and Rubs for Anxiety Relief
- Massage your temples with lavender oil
- A warm bath with a couple of drops of chamomile oil aids sleep. Add a splash of lavender oil for a relaxing aroma.
- For a relaxing body rub, soak equal parts of finely chopped dandelions, burdock (roots and or aerial parts), yellow dock, and lobelia in a mason jar full of vodka for 2 weeks. Apply externally (and avoid temptation to drink the solution).
How to Relieve Anxiety at Bedtime
- Strew lavender in the linen closet to scent your bed sheets.
- Try putting a few drops of lavender oil in or right under your nose - gently, with a cotton swab.
- Sprinkle infusions of dill on your pillowcases and quickly iron them dry or fluff them in a clothes dryer.
- Dill will also lull cranky babies to sleep. Add a dill infusion to the bath, sprinkle on a baby's blanket, or use as a hair rinse. (We all know babies can cause stress - if they can sleep, maybe you can too!)
- Keep in mind that not every fragrant herb is suitable for a good nights sleep. Some can have the reverse effect. You may wish to consult an herbalist.
