6 Soothing Tonics That Will Reduce Stress & Anxiety

If life is giving you a bit more than you can handle right now and you are beginning to feel overwhelmed and anxious, there are naturally occurring remedies you can find to make you feel better.

Our bodies are always fighting to get back to a state of wellbeing but added stress and anxiety make it difficult. You may need that extra push to feel better!

And, it may make you happy to realize that the ingredients of some of these tonics can be accessed in many different forms from leaves, to roots, to powders!

Ashwagandha

The first tonic I will offer you is Ashwagandha, and it is a wonderful one!

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, meaning that it is a naturally occurring herb specifically for helping the body to tolerate stress. It has been found to help the body regulate stress hormones, relieve anxiety, and it works to prevent the fatigue that commonly comes from stress.

It is a mild sedative, so consulting with your physician prior to taking it is recommended.

However, if you struggle with sleep you may find this adaptogen extremely helpful.

Ashwagandha can be purchased in root powder form and added to teas and shakes easily.

Matcha

You have probably heard of Matcha, which is a tea leaf that after harvesting is ground into a powder.

It is known for being sweeter and creamier than traditional green tea.

This is a very soothing tonic that many people enjoy regularly in their diet.

Matcha’s known health benefits include lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and promoting alertness.

Matcha does have caffeine in it so it should be used in moderation!

However, it does work to promote healthy cortisol levels and so naturally decreases stress and anxiety.

Matcha, like Ashwagandha, is purchased in powder form and can be added to teas, shakes, oatmeals, and yoghourts, or even smoothie bowls.

You can also buy Matcha drinks ready bottled – I have a pint of ginger-flavoured Matcha tea every day, mainly for digestive reasons.

Lavender

Have you ever taken a bath and added Lavender salts to it? If not, please try it!

Lavender is the most wonderful smelling plant and has many soothing benefits.

Lavender has been found to decrease anxiety, depression, and promote sleep in scientific studies. One study found that participants who took lavender reported an increase in their overall well-being and quality of life.

Lavender can be helpful for those who struggle with mood management.

It is also reported to be found helpful in managing pain, which when present can cause significant stress and anxiety.

While lavender is most commonly consumed orally (teas are very common), it is also being used in aromatherapy and topically, as well as bath salts and bath bombs to make bath time more relaxing.

Cannabidiol

This next tonic may be accepted by many and not accepted by many. However, research has found that Cannabidiol, commonly known as CBD, may be extremely helpful in reducing stress and clinical anxiety.

CBD is derived from cannabis, however it is lacking the psychoactive component tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which gives people a high.

CBD can be consumed via drinking teas, juices, and sodas and it can be consumed via eating gummies, candies, and other products.

There is a growing market for CBD products and in many states it is easy to access for those over the age of 18.

CBD has been found to reduce anxiety by lowering blood pressure and heart rates.

Further research is being done to involve CBD in the process of treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and other clinical disorders as it decreases fear responses in the body.

Taking CBD may not be your thing and that is completely acceptable! However, if you feel it is worth trying you may find wonderful effects on your stress and anxiety!

Ginseng

Have you ever had ginseng soup or ginseng tea?

Did you notice afterwards that your body felt a bit calmer and more relaxed?

That is because ginseng works to regulate the body’s immune system and maintain its well-being.

Ginseng, like ashwagandha, is an adaptogen that regulates stress hormones. It has been found to be helpful in combating depression, hypertension, and post-traumatic stress.

It has also been found to help combat inflammatory diseases.

All it takes is a few minutes to steep ginseng into hot water for tea. If you need, add honey and you have a soft and warm tonic to combat those daily stressors!

Maca

Maca is the last tonic that I want to suggest to you for now.

Also an adaptogen, maca is found grown in the mountains of Peru and has been used medicinally for thousands of years.

Maca can be boiled, roasted, or purchased in powder form much like the other tonics offered.

Maca helps to regulate the endocrine system, and thus is helpful for balancing hormones. Many women and men can attest to the stress and mood dysregulation that occurs when hormones are not well balanced. Think that time of the month or pregnancy! These are often difficult times to navigate. Maca can help.

It fights to help with anxiety and depression and therefore leaves people feeling more in control than they might without. And it assists with heart rate and blood pressure regulation.

Conclusion

If you, like many others, are looking for naturally occurring substances to help relieve stress and anxiety (as opposed to prescription drugs that come with a long list of side-effects, some of which are worse than what you’re trying to treat), I hope that you will explore one or more of these tonics.

Remember that although we cannot control when life sends us stressful events, we can treat our bodies with love and respect by intentionally working to combat the stress.

You may find yourself seeking additional recipes or other adaptogens and tonics to try or you may find that this is not your cup of tea (pun intended) and that is okay!

What is important is that you are working on your health and well-being and combatting the stress and the long term effects it may have!

Additional Resources

These are suggestions for those who wish to delve deeper into any of the above:

1. Ashwagandha Recipes
2. CBD
3. Ginseng Recipes
4. Lavender Recipes
5. Maca Recipes
6. Matcha Recipes