Mind, Emotions and Herbs

Our mind is one of the toughest things to control and also the most important thing to learn how to navigate. We explore different herbs and how they affect our mental states, calm and worry. 

Lemon Balm

Anxiety often is felt as tying a knot in your stomach. Lemon Balm is a great things to use when feeling anxious as it soothes down the nervous system, helps out digestions and lowers blood pressure. It can be taken as tea or tincture. If you're taking it as the latter one, you can add 10 drops to warm water. It's a member of the mint family, so it makes for a delicious cup that energises and soothes. 

Chamomile

Did you know that aside from black tea, chamomile is the widest selling tea worldwide? Chamomile has a huge aromatherapy benefit, thus it's best to be had as tea. It aids digestions as well as acts as a tool soothing your nervous system. You can brew a chamomile tea for 2-3 mins, using up the steam as aromatherapy and inhaling in the goodness. Try sweeting it up with some honey and lemon. You'll thank us later.

Holy Basil

Also known as tulsi, holy basil is an adaptogen. It works as shielding and protecting the nervous system, easing our bodily response to stress. Either have it as tea, or as tincture, taking 10 drops/3 times a day. 

Ashwagandha

This is a very well-known Ayurvedic remedy that also has amazing stress-reducing properties. It's from the same class adaptogens as holy basil. It has the properties of lowering the cortisol and soothing nerves, also having antioxidant properties. Ashwagandha makes a great early bed drink, mixed in some warm milk and sweetened up. You can also have it as capsules or tincture. 

There are a few potent herbs that are essential for our brain's health, thus deserve a special place in our cabinet. Here are some of the best ones. 

Sage

Known for its pungent smell, it also is known as a herb aiding cognition and Alzheimer's disease. Sage can be consumed in the form of tea or added to any salty dish. Try adding it to butternut squash, chicken or tomato sauce. 

Turmeric

A powerful Ayurvedic antioxidant, whatever we say about turmeric will not be enough. The curcumin compound in turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, boosting brain heath and aiding Alzheimer's disease through clearing the brain of beta-amyloid (a protein fragment). Turmeric is a key ingredient in curry powder, which typically also includes such spices as coriander and cumin. To increase your intake of turmeric, try adding curry powder or turmeric to stir-fries, soups, and vegetable dishes. Include a couple of dashes of black pepper to enhance the absorption of turmeric.

Ginkgo Biloba

Widely used for treating dementia, Ginkgo Biloba is a traditional Chinese medicine. It improves cognitive functions through stimulating blood flow and circulation in the brain. 

Ashwagandha

Additionally to bearing calming and soothing properties, ashwagandha has been found to inhibit the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, which are a common cause for Alzheimer's disease. 

Ginseng

Loaded with anti-inflammatory chemicals, ginseng is a golden herb, stimulating brain health and also our immune system. 

Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola has been proved to improve mental clarity. Research has also shown that the herb is great at fighting oxidative stress.