Natural Medicine for Stress

Hans Selye once said “Stress is the spice of life”. Everything that we do in our lives that requires an adaptive response is a stressor, whether good or bad. However the accumulation of Psychological and physical impacts, often becomes overwhelming.

As this year comes to a close many of us are reflecting on the many changes that have taken place in our lives. For many of us there have been huge financial, psychological, and emotional upheavals this year as many people have lost their jobs and homes, and doctors are seeing an increase in many health concerns relating to the stress of it all, depression, migraines, fatigue, and asthma are just a few of the conditions that have seen a steady increase in the number of cases reported over the last year.

However there are things that can be done about the stress we are all under. There are several different ways in which herbal medicine can help with stress. Some herbs are tonic and others are adoptogenic, meaning that they help the body to adapt to various stressors as they occur. Nervines are also helpful for not only repairing damage but preventing further damage.

Ginseng is a supreme adoptogen that helps the body's ability to cope with physical and mental stressors. It reduces fatigue and difficulty sleeping while also improving alertness and concentration. It is also useful for improving Adrenal function and the immune system.

Yerba Mate is a South American herb that has long been touted for its use in treating stress. It increases mental clarity, much like caffeine but without the characteristic “jitters” It balances sleep patterns, aids in digestion, improves depression and increases oxygen to the brain.

Hopefully in this new year we will all have less stress in our lives, but until then we must all do what we can to protect our health from the circumstances of everyday life.

Check out Moriah Herbs, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Herbal Alternatives to Treat Depression

Depression affects all of us at some time or another, but for millions of people each year, depression is a serious problem affecting their daily lives. Often these people are subjected to years or a lifetime of prescription antidepressants, which can have a number of side effects from weight gain to seizures, and often over time these medications become less and less effective, necessitating constant adjustment for the patient to see results. But there are herbal alternatives which can be used alone or in a complimentary therapy to prescription medications, in order to use less of the prescription.

One of the most well known and widely accepted herbal treatments for depressions is St. John’s Wort. St. John’s Wort works by altering the levels of the brain chemicals serotonin and melatonin which regulate mood, energy levels and sleep patterns. It is also found in scientific studies to increase theta waves. These brain waves only occur in deep sleep or deep meditation. However for it to be effective, St. John’s Wort must be taken on a regular schedule so that it can build up in the body and it is most effective when used as a tincture or infusion. You can often find St. John’s Wort tea at natural food stores.

For the anxiety that often accompanies depression, you can’t beat Valerian. Valerian is the basis of the modern day valium, but it is often more effective in its natural form. It is a calming herb and muscle relaxer and is often recommended by chiropractors and massage therapist to ease chronic muscle pain. Valerian is also very useful in aiding sleep, which often suffers in those with depression because of the imbalance of melatonin and serotonin. Melatonin is a sleep regulator, so if the levels aren’t sufficient, sleep will suffer.

Other helpful herbs for treating depression include hops and borage. Hops is known for it’s anti-anxiety properties and can be infused into a tea. Borage is an adrenaline stimulant. This beautiful blue flower works with the adrenal gland to boost energy levels.

If you suffer from depression, know that there is something you can do, besides be subjected to drugs for the rest of your life. While these herbs may not be enough for everyone, but for some they may just be the cure you need.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Henna- Color your life with natural products

Henna is an Egyptian plant that has many uses, its usage goes back in time to before recorded history, and since it has such an ancient history no one really knows when its usage began. However ancient records going back at least 5000 years, record its use as an herbal medicine, ceremonial substance and an herbal cosmetic.

While henna and its use have its origins in North Africa and Asia, it has spread worldwide in the last ten years, gaining a huge following in the alternative medicine and herbal community. But it is still the most popular and well known for its use among the eastern Indian culture especially in a marriage event known as “the night of henna” in which the brides hands and feet are painted with very beautiful and intricate patterns as a means of driving away evil spirits and insuring good luck.

Though henna is often and primarily regarded as a colorant, it has a long history of use in herbal medicine. It is still used in many parts of the world today as an herbal remedy for the inflammation of arthritis, for headaches, as a treatment for sore throats, and as an herbal remedy for an upset stomach.

Henna also makes a wonderful colorant for your hair and is a key ingredient in many of today’s natural product lines and is often used as very popular spa product for coloring the hair.

There are different shades of henna and they can be combined and mixed to produce different results, for different shades of hair and it covers gray hair wonderfully. So try this wonderful herbal product and see how what amazing shades it can color your life.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.