Everyone experiences anxiety at different points in life—stress, and worry are natural parts of being human.
Even though it’s not unusual (anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S. today), anxiety can be isolating and hard to confront when it gets out of hand.
Most days we’re able to bounce back from stressful events, but for those who struggle with anxious feelings, daily life can feel like an uphill battle.
Raising twins and running a Pilates studio taught me the true meaning of anxiety and burnout a few years back. After months of sleep-deprivation, I began studying to become a women’s herbal educator, hoping to get to the root of my struggle with anxiety, insomnia, and depression.
I quickly learned that nourishing my body with botanicals—specifically adaptogens and nervines— is key to keeping anxiety and burnout at bay.
Adaptogens are a category of herbs that help us “adapt around stress.” Their anti-fatigue effects make them particularly potent when you’re up against mental exhaustion, frequent illness, or chronic stress.
If you’re burning the candle at both ends, treating yourself with any of these seven herbs will help you feel relaxed, balanced, and healthy again:
1. Ashwagandha (withania somnifera)
This is the first adaptogen I turned to when I was feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, and it’s still a personal favorite. Ashwagandha is “known to give you the strength and stamina of a stallion”, but still gentle enough for anyone coping with anxiety. When taken regularly, it can ease shot nerves and improve sleep.
My favorite Ashwagandha product is Adrena Soothe by Dr. Aviva Romm. Try 2 dropperfuls in¼ cup of water two times per day, to reduce your stress.
2. Reishi (ganoderma lucidum)
Do you find you get sick when you finally go on vacation? The relationship between stress and illness is complex.
One study shows that chronic stress can raise the risk of viral infections, eventually manifesting in full-blown illness. Try reishi if you’re under the weather frequently, or just feel stressed out and run down.
Taken regularly, reishi can reduce the likelihood that your stress will literally make you sick– so you can enjoy your vacations, rather than spending them out of commission.
Wondering how to overcome anxiety? Grab this freebie to learn how 👇
3. Milky Oat Tops (avena sativa)
Filled with vitamins and minerals, milky oat tops are a great herbal remedy that nourishes your nervous tissue and promotes relaxation.
Pairing milky oat tops with stinging nettles is a perfect combination to boost your daily energy without spiking stress or anxiety.
Due to cross-contamination, you may want to avoid milky oats if you have celiac disease.
👉My favorite way to enjoy milky oats is in a cup of blended tea. Combine equal parts of dried milky oat tops and stinging nettles.
Add 1 tablespoon of the blended herbs to 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and steep the herbs for 20 minutes for a medicinal infusion, then strain and add a little raw honey for flavor.
4. Chamomile (matricaria recutita)
Just one cup per day of this well-loved tea can reduce menstrual cramps, shift your mood, and ease digestion. Safe for children, our family enjoys a cup of chamomile tea most nights to reduce our collective stress.
My favorite recipe for the whole family: Blend dried chamomile, lemon balm and milky oat tops together.
Then add 1 tablespoon of the mixed dried herbs to 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes. Add honey for flavor and double-check the tea has cooled before serving to children.
5. Lemon Balm (melissa officinalis)
If you’re prone to ragweed allergies, skip chamomile and enjoy a cup of lemon balm tea. This delightful citrus-flavored tea is known as the “gladdening herb”.
As a nervine and mild anti-depressant, lemon balm promotes relaxation and reduces nervous energy.
To enjoy: Add 1 tablespoon of the dried herb to 1 cup of boiling water and let steep for 10 minutes. Add milk and honey for flavor.
6. Motherwort (leonurus cardiaca)
From motherhood to menopause, Motherwort is a true gift for women. It shouldn’t be used during pregnancy but should be your first go-to-herb after birth.
Motherwort’s calming qualities can help with everything from heart palpitations to extreme anxiety. Taking motherwort throughout the day can release tension and reduce panic attacks, and it’s a great solution for falling back to sleep if you wake up frequently during the night.
Motherwort has a bitter taste, so I find it’s best taken as a tincture. Follow the directions on the label for your dosing.
7. Lavender (lavandula officinalis)
My favorite way to use lavender is as an essential oil.
Tap diluted lavender essential oil on your wrists or spray it in the air to soothe stress immediately. Lavender is known to help induce sleep, which makes it a perfect remedy for unwinding before bed.
To enjoy: Dilute lavender essential oil with water and add to your body products, spray on your pillow, or tap on your wrists as an organic, soothing perfume.
Have you used botanical remedies before? Which ones work for you? Share in the comments section!
Obsessed with natural remedies, Tara Gregorio is a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator located in Cold Spring, NY. She loves helping women reduce their medications with botanicals. Her favorite herbal recipes can be found on Pinterest and Instagram.
10-20% of moms experience postpartum depression lasting a few months and up to a year {or more} after birth ¹
And, up to 20% of women report feelings of anxiousness, sadness, depression, panic, frustration, and feeling hopeless.
What does this mean for you?
You need a postpartum plan.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the five most common mistakes I see moms making when they have postpartum depression and anxiety.
If you’re a mom, struggling with PPD – you need a plan. Grab this free roadmap.
Here are your 8 common mistakes
#1 Moms stop breastfeeding
Several studies have suggested that breastfeeding could help protect women against PPD ²
Yet, many women complain that their doctor has suggested they stop breastfeeding due to postpartum depression.
Breastfeeding could help reduce your postpartum depression. And although it’s time-consuming and exhausting, breastfeeding may help you sleep better due to your hormones and ease of feeding in the middle of the night.
#2 You don’t address your nutrient gaps
There is an enormous amount of depletion after childbirth. This, along with sleep deprivation can lead to insomnia, anxiety, and depression. Watch this video, to learn my favorite supplements to take after each and every birth.
If you’re struggling with insomnia, you need deep nourishment. You’ll want to stop drinking coffee and/or alcohol and address your nutrient gaps.
It may take time, but keep with it and soon you’ll be able to fall asleep every time you’re woken in the middle of the night. Watch this video to learn my favorite remedies for insomnia.
#4 You don’t take an adaptogen
What’s an adaptogen? They help us “adapt” to stress. And, if there was ever a stressful time, it’s when you have children! Here is one adaptogen you can take while breastfeeding, there are others I’ll be writing about real soon.
#5 You don’t address your mindset
Becoming a mother is life-changing. We crave our old selves. Those who struggle, are experiencing a shamanic death. The death of the old you, shedding into the new version of yourself.
By changing your thoughts, you can learn to fall in love with motherhood.
#6 You don’t take enough nervines
Nervines are a category of herbs that help soothe our anxiety. And, as I mentioned above anxiety & depression go hand-in-hand.
You want to soothe your anxiety and stress if you’re struggling with postpartum anxiety and/or depression. Watch this video to learn my favorite remedies.
#7 You only take medication
Anxiety medications can be so helpful when you’re struggling with anxiety and depression and raising a family. But, keep in mind you can also work on your nutrient gaps, insomnia, and anxiety WHILE taking medications.
It’s not the end. By making self-care a priority, your body can heal. It’s not selfish and anyone who tells you it is, is not worth your time.
#8 You don’t see a therapist
This is the biggest mistake I made when I had postpartum depression. I didn’t want the therapist to judge me! But, after my husband passed away, I knew I needed therapy for the trauma, and wow did it change my life!
Watch this video to see how EMDR can help you through PPA & PPD.
You don’t have to struggle with anxiety and depression for years. Ask for help!
Watch the recap video here.
What’s stopping you? Let me know in the comments below.
xo
Tara
P.S. Get started today, grab this free PPD relief roadmap
Are you wondering if stinging nettles are safe for you?
Imagine a daily tea that would nourish your body, soothe anxiety and stress, and help you sleep better.
It sounds so simple and it is!
Here’s a quick warning, always check with your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding or have any health concerns; especially taking diuretics.
Want to get started?
In this post, I’ll share how you can use stinging nettles during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and beyond.
But first, grab this freebie to feel more confident using herbs while breastfeeding
What are Stinging Nettles?
Stinging nettles or Urtica dioica is a common weed found in North America and is most commonly known for the sting you get when you walk by. It can be cooked and eaten in popular recipes like nettle soup or nettle cheese, but its sting disappears when you cook it.
If you happen to get the kiss of the nettles, you can always search for Plantago major nearby – chew it up and place it on the sting to soothe the burn.
Personally, I love the sting as it signifies the start of Spring and “wakes up” my immune system.
Stinging Nettle Treatment
If you’ve received the kiss from Stinging nettles, don’t worry.
Find Plantago major, otherwise known as plantain, chew in your mouth, and apply to the red, sting area
Within moments your sting will subside
13 Stinging Nettles Benefits
There are so many benefits of stinging nettles during pregnancy and postpartum.
Stinging nettles…
are filled with vitamins A, C, K, and B
has minerals of CA, Iron {helps fight fatigue}, and Mg {helps soothe the nervous system}
may increase milk production
decreases allergies when using the freeze-dried nettles
decreases inflammation
decreases blood pressure
it controls blood sugar- have a cup with chocolate cake
fights fatigue
decreases the risk of iron-deficient anemia
reduces pelvic congestion
reduce caffeine and sugar cravings
prevents osteoporosis
prevents varicosities
So, Are nettles safe while nursing?
Stinging Nettles are considered a Level 1 herb by the German Commission E. and is safe while breastfeeding and during pregnancy
My favorite tea for breastfeeding moms is Earth Mama Milkmaid Tea which includes Stinging Nettles
I prefer to drink Stinging Nettles for all the vitamins & minerals, but you may want to use it as a tincture as well.
How to use stinging nettles for postpartum depression
Conclusion
Stinging nettles is one of the most beneficial botanicals to nourish our body with vitamins and minerals and ease the everyday stress of motherhood. Taken as a tea, you’ll notice the soothing effects immediately.
I hope you grow to love nettles as much as I do.
Have you tried Stinging Nettles? Let us know
xo
Tara
P.S. Are you a mom who loves natural remedies? Grab this freebie to feel confident using herbs while nursing 👇
Welcome! I’m Tara Gregorio, certified women’s herbal educator, Postpartum Pilates educator & momma of twins. I help women feel confident using herbal remedies so they can reduce their medications – one remedy at a time
