- Balm -- Chamomile -- Lavender
- Linden -- Mugwort -- Oats
- Skullcap -- Vervain
A daily supplement of the B-complex vitamins and vitamin C is also indicated.
As well as responding to stress in a healthy way, by using herbs and improving
the diet, the impact of the various stressors can be ameliorated. This is
sometimes impossible, but don't support putting up with something or someone
just because they are there. People can change and change their lives. It helps
to re-evaluate choices.
- 'Are you doing what you really want to do?'
- `If not, what would you rather be doing?'
- Give `permission' for your patients to ask some searching questions about
themselves and their life-style, without censoring any of the answers that may
come up!
- After pinpointing inner motivations the patient can then choose what you want
to do about them. If changing is too difficult or painful, they are free not to
change. Instead, use herbs and, perhaps, counseling to help ease the strain so
they may live a less tense and anxious life. However, if they choose to change,
herbal medicine if used wisely can aid in the process of transformation.
Relaxation exercises and an honest re-evaluation of both life-style and
life-goals are invaluable.
Long Standing Stress
The line between chronic stress and the daily levels we all seem to put up
with is fuzzy. A gentle soul with not too strong a constitution will cross the
line sooner than a stronger person who copes well. Neither of these extremes is
"better" than the other; they merely reflect the fact that we live in a world
of human diversity. That's sometimes a joy and sometimes an actual cause of the
stress! The advice given for daily stress relief holds for chronic stress, but
in addition adaptogens become pivotal. Adaptogens are discussed above. The
following two remedies are most important:
Ginseng (American or Korean) Siberian Ginseng
In addition to adaptogens, every attention must be given to general health. The
body will often show its weakening through some somatic symptom. This may be a
long-standing complaint that gets worse, an old problem that reappears or just
a speeding of the aging process. Apply the model to any symptoms that arise in
the context of the persons medical history. Some examples follow.
Short Term Extreme Stress
There are times in most peoples lives when things get to be too much and the
pain of existence builds to a crescendo. Immediate herbal relief may be needed
in a whole range of traumatic situations-from being involved in a car accident
to some personal emotional crisis. In all cases, herbs will take the edge off
the trauma but will rarely remove it. At such times herbs can be only an aid -
one element of the approach taken to deal with the difficulties being faced.
This approach may also include seeking help from the various caring
professions, going on vacation or on a retreat, or even checking into a
hospital.
The plants that are capable of easing intense stress are considered dangerous
in our society and because they are restricted drugs, they will not be
discussed here. However, in addition to the herbs previously mentioned, the
following remedies might be considered:
- Passiflower -- Valerian -- Wild Lettuce
One possible prescription for acute stress:
- Skullcap -- 2 parts
- Valerian -- 2 parts
- Oats -- 1 part 5 ml of tincture taken as
needed
Notice the dosage here of `5 ml of tincture taken as needed'. This is a
recognition that stress response has a cyclical nature and each person will
different times of the day that are more challenging than others. As this is
largely symptomatic medication, it may be increased until the desired relief is
experienced. The dosage regime may be altered as necessary, varying time of day
and quantity of dose to suit individual needs. For example, this may be a large
dose first thing in the morning, or smaller amounts at frequent intervals
throughout the day. The patients experience is the guiding principle here.
Always treat the human being and not the theory about the `disease'!
One possible prescription for acute stress associated with `indigestion'
and palpitations:
- Skullcap -- 2 parts
- Valerian -- 2 parts
- Motherwort -- 1 part
- Chamomile -- 1 part
- Mugwort -- 1 part 5 ml of tincture taken as needed
The Motherwort supports the relaxing of the other nervines but also has
specific calming impact upon tachycardia.
One possible prescription for acute stress associated liver problems (such as alcohol related hepato-toxicity):
- Skullcap -- 2 parts
- Valerian -- 2 parts
- Milk Thistle -- 1 part
- Vervain -- 1 part
- Oats -- 1 part to 5 ml of glycerate extract
t.i.d.
A glycerate extract is suggested here because of the alcohol related
etiology.
Broader Context of Treatment
Please refer to the earlier sections for the discussion of relaxation and
meditation. Adequate levels of the B vitamin complex are essential.
Herbal Treatment for Specific Nervous System Disorders: