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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Holly Dunbar, CMT, RH (AGH)
Holiday Stress? Herbs & Aromatherapy to the Rescue!
New Moon Body Work and Botanicals
. http://www.newmoonbody.com

Holiday Stress? Herbs & Aromatherapy to the Rescue!

The holidays can be festive, reflective, and spiritual. The preparations though are often busy, tiring, and stressful. In order to glean the most out of the weeks ahead, and truly enjoy the holidays, it is wise to look to our herbal allies to keep us healthy and happy.

Even if one's perception of this season is that it is truly the most wonderful time of the year, the extra activities take energy to accomplish. Herbal tonics or adaptogens help the body to stay strong. Adaptogenic herbs promote homeostasis in the body, tonify the internal organs and help regulate their function, and protect the body from the harmful effects of stress. Some of these tonics include reishi mushroom, schizandra berry, and ashwaghanda. Because of their general effects in strengthening the body, including the organs that specifically give more energy such as the lungs, and digestive system, one will notice a general increase in stamina. Adaptogens are also important in keeping the immune system functioning well, as prolonged stress will weaken immunity and cause illness.

Not everyone finds the holidays to be joyful. The extra activities, financial stress, and time with family can cause anxiety and mild depression. Mild symptoms of mental stress and depression can respond very well to simple applications of aromatherapy through the use of pure essential oils. These concentrated plant essences can be inhaled, which may be something as simple as a drop on a tissue, diffused through the air, added to the bath, or applied diluted to the body. Mild depression can be eased with clary sage, jasmine, or rose oil. All three of these oils can be combined with any of the citrus oils, which have a light uplifting fragrance. Mild to moderate depression can also be eased with St. Johns Wort, SAM-e, and fish oils. Proper dosage is important for effective use.

Mild anxiety, and even more moderate to severe anxiety, has responded effectively to herbal medicine. Mild anxiety will also benefit from the external application and inhalation of the essential oils for depression, as well as lavender essential oil. It takes only 1-3 seconds for the small molecules of these oils to reach the brain and take affect, which is important with anxiety as it can often come on suddenly. Magnesium citrate or malate can be an important supplement, as it is a mild sedative and helps regulate the heart rhythm. Frequent use of herbal nervine teas such as chamomile, valerian, wood betony, catnip, and lavender can also be of great benefit.

Remember as the days whirl along that soon the normal days of winter will be upon us, so take the time to enjoy the present moment. Eat good food, enjoy the presence of friends and family, and don't forget the herbal allies that have evolved with us as our helpers and friends to keep us both happy and strong.

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