THE HERB CORNER
Herbal Allies for Troubled Times: Herbs to Soothe Stress, Fear and Grief
Mimosa is a specific for heartache, anxiety, and the memory problems and “brain fog” that can stem from post- traumatic stress disorder. Rose ( Rosa spp. ) Rose is one of our all-time favorite herbs for “gladdening the heart”. It gently lifts the mood, nourishes the nervous system, and helps bring bal- ance to the emotions. It’s especially helpful for the fatigue, anxiety, and in- somnia associated with a heavy emo- tional burden. We also love Rose because it helps to establish healthy gut flora, which is a key part of both immune and emo- tional well being. Rose also provides relief from ulcers and hyperacidity in the gut, which are common side effects of undigested grief. Hawthorn ( Crataegus spp.) Hawthorn is a true herbal angel when it comes to supporting the heart. Herbalists love to talk about Haw- thorn’s amazing abilities to resolve blood pressure imbalances, arrhyth- mia, angina, and cholesterol, all of which can be symptoms of an emotion- ally heavy heart. In addition to being a cardiac tonic, Hawthorn is also a powerful nervine that helps gently restore balance to the heart on an emotional level. We find Hawthorn to be very grounding and comforting, like getting a warm hug that puts everything into perspective. Herbalist Nicole at Smile has taken it for many years and finds it very sup- portive for a range of anxiety, depres- sion, and grief-related disorders. Late- ly, in addition to this formula, she’s been enjoying spoonfuls of Hawthorn Solid Extract on a regular basis, and the wonderful Heart Soother tea de- signed by Herbalist Susan Wolfe. There are many herbs and formulas to help us experience our feelings of stress, fear, anxiety and grief with com- passionate, strong, and open hearts. When we have the right herbal allies and community support, grief truly can be a relief and help transform us into stronger, more loving, and com- passionate individuals. And employ- ing herbal wisdom can nourish our bodies and spirits to survive these challenging times. Since 1975, Tom Wolfe, a Registered Herbalist, has co-owned Smile Herb Shop in College Park, MD. He and his staff of expert herbalists, including his wife Susan, teach classes throughout the year about all aspects of growing herbs and healing with herbs. Visit www.smileherb.com for class lists and descriptions, information on indi- vidual herbs, and to read their blog. Smile Herb is currently closed to foot traffic, but offers phone consultations & curbside pick- up Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm, and online shopping 24/7. See also their ad on page 8.
BY THE SMILE HERB STAFF It’s hard to deny that with a new surge in our pandemic comes a fresh wave of stress, anxiety and even grief. Current world events continue to take its toll on our physical, mental and emotional health, felt more acutely as we are getting ready to enter the holi- day season and the darker, colder win- ter months. You’ve probably seen enough arti- cles on anti-viral herbs, immune herbs, and remedies for the lungs for the mo- ment. Immunity boosting and sup- port is very important, but let’s turn our attention to an equally important aspect of health and preventative care in challenging times: herbs to support us when we are experiencing anxiety, stress, uncertainty, fear and grief. Nourishing With Nervines There is a group of herbs known as nervines that support and nourish the nervous system. Each plant has its own specialties, and there are many to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites. Lemon Balm ( Melissa officinalis ) This delightful, lemon-scented member of the mint family is easy to find, easy to grow, and safe for chil- dren and adults. Taken as a strong tea (which is very tasty!) Lemon Balm is calming to the mind and the digestive system. Taken in stronger doses, like a cap- sule or tincture, it is also known to have anti-viral properties, making it an excellent preventative during flu (or coronavirus) season. Lemon Balm can be taken daily and for long periods of time, and mixes well with other nerv- ines as well as anti-flu remedies like Elderberry. Tulsi, or Holy Basil ( Ocimum sanctum ) Holy Basil is related to our com- mon culinary Basil, but it has a wilder and sweeter taste. This plant is taken for cold and flu in its native India and has recently become well-known in the West for its sugar-balancing and stress relieving properties. It is specifically effective in reducing Cortisol, a stress hormone that is a factor in stubborn belly fat. Holy Basil calms and soothes the mind, reduces anxiety, and encourages focus and concentration. It is soothing to the respiratory tract and makes a lovely tea. Holy Basil can be taken daily as tea, tincture, or capsule, and can be used as Italian Basil would: in soups, salads, sauces, and pesto (yum!). Scullcap ( Scutellaria lateriflora ) Scullcap isn’t as popular as it de- serves in the herbal world. It is a fa- vorite of ours, and can be taken every day. An easy-to-grow cooling nervine, Scullcap is our absolute favorite choice for tension headaches and neck pain.
Nervine Tea
Traditionally this plant is used for muscle pain and spasms, headaches, inflammation, anxiety, and fatigue. We use Scullcap to treat stress and overwhelm, exhaustion, and computer fatigue as well as headaches and anxi- ety. Taken regularly as a tea, capsule, or tincture, Skullcap helps us maintain calm, patience, and focus in times of stress. Larger doses in the short term are perfect for headaches, neck & shoul- der pain, and strain from computer or smartphone use. It blends well with Holy Basil for stress and tension, with
felt so like fear.” Grief, defined as deep sorrow, is most often associated with death. However, the fear, uncertainty and sense of loss due to our present circumstances can be manifestations of grief. One of our favorite formulas for depression, anxiety, and grief—Grief Relief—is a simple but powerful com- bination of Mimosa, Rose, and Haw- thorn. Taken separately, all three herbs support mental health, heart health, and peace of mind. But when they’re combined, they become a formula that
Mimosa
St. Johns Wort for mood issues or anxi- ety, and with Valerian for muscle pain. Try it—you’ll love it! If you’re looking for a delicious tea to sip while adjusting to the ways our world is changing, Herbalist Susan at Smile humbly suggests her own nerv- ine tea blends—Heart Soother and Nerve Soother. She developed these for her own use originally, because she was looking for something soothing that would also be tasty! Heart Soother is a cooling and calm- ing blend that has Lemon Balm and Skullcap (among others). If you’re looking to try Holy Basil, her Nerve Soother blend has that, along with Lemon Balm (can you tell how much she loves Lemon Balm?). Both are meant to ease tension, anxiety, stress, and worry. Grief Relief Power Trio Author C.S. Lewis once famously wrote, “No one ever told me that grief
is greater than the sum of their parts. These herbs don’t numb or take away our feelings, but rather help to open our hearts and give us the strength to experience both the ups and downs of life with balance, poise, and peace. Formulator David Winston, RH, has stories of clients who take this formu- la before therapy sessions because it helps them be more open and present with their emotions. He also names this formula as a specific for “stagnant depression”, feeling stuck in grief and unable to move beyond it or experi- ence joy. So let’s take a look at the three in- gredients: Mimosa ( Albizia julibrissin ) Mimosa’s name translates to “col- lective happiness bark”. It promotes emotional ease and supports the ad- renal glands to help us handle stress with more resilience and balance.
PATHWAYS—Winter 20-21—9
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