Whether it’s those spiralling middle-of-the-night worries or feeling like you’ve got no time to get anything done, we’re all stressed about something. Statistics suggest that 79 per cent of us frequently feel work-related stress, while searches for “how to deal with chronic stress” are up over 5,000 per cent in the last month alone. The ramifications of this include poor sleep, digestion and immunity, plus they also impact how we eat, move and communicate in the world.
Natasha Richardson , a medical herbalist, hormone specialist and founder of Forage Botanicals, recommends employing herbs to help manage stress, down-regulate the nervous system and help promote a feeling of peace. Of course, the best way to manage stress is with a multifaceted approach – from eating a balanced, plant-rich diet to taking time out to do breath work or meditation – but these science-backed herbal ingredients can help too. Here they are: Clary sage “A standout herb when it comes to reducing stress and balancing hormones, clary sage has been scientifically shown to help regulate cortisol , the body’s primary stress hormone,” explains Richardson.
It has excellent aromatherapeutic benefits: one study found that it significantly reduced cortisol levels in menopausal women when inhaled, and it’s also brilliant for those suffering from PMT. Richardson blends it with cedarwood and magnesium-rich Epsom salts in her Premenstrual Me Time Bath Salts, which also help ease tight muscles t.