Herbs for Health Column by Su-lin Sze |
“Nature’s cure for stress” |
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Inner peace is a difficult thing to find today!
If you want to restore wellbeing and peace to yourself, then the answer is this, two words: Your Body.
Your body is designed to handle stress, because it is stress in part that gives us the motivation to progress and survive as a species. A certain amount of stress is healthy. It drives us, moves us, makes us more alert and focused. But too much is distressing. The issue with stress today is not that it exists, but that it is increasing in amount and duration, and so we need to learn how to deal with stress more effectively. Natural medicines can help us here without the side effects of many pharmaceutical medications.
Common symptoms of prolonged stress include the following: |
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- Waking in the early morning (around 5am)
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- Skin conditions such as acne
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- Agitated and over-reactive state of being
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- Nerve Rings in the iris and irregularly sized pupil
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Stress signs can be seen in the irises including overly large pupil and ‘nerve rings’.
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Tight pupil (acute stress) |
Normal pupil |
Oversized pupil (Adrenal exhaustion) |
Nerve rings |
How our bodies handle stress |
The nervous system is composed of two parts, those involving the brain and spinal cord (the central nervous system) and all other nervous system tissues (the peripheral nervous system).
In essence the nervous system is ‘The Great Body Regulator’ and it is involved in sensory functions, movement, thought and many other physiological processes such as organ function. When the body encounters stress a number of hormones and chemicals such as adrenalin and cortisol, are released into the bloodstream to activate the body and pump blood and oxygen into the musculo-skeletal system. This process ensures that we have ample energy and focus to cope with a ‘fight or flight’ situation.
The nervous system is responsible for regulating this primal process, which is designed for temporary situations. When stress becomes prolonged the body’s mechanism for stress adaptation is no longer adequate, and we need to look at other means of restoring balance to the body.
Strategies for dealing with Stress |
Nature provides you with medicines to support your nervous system such as medicinal herbs and flower essences. Movement practices are helpful releasing tensions and bringing peace to the body and mind. Read on for some more tips about natural healers.
Medicinal herbs are a potent form of natural medicine and commonly used to improve the strength and tone of your nervous system and your adrenals so that they are better equipped to handle stress.
| Herbs |
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Benefits |
Withania, Licorice and Rhemannia glutinosa |
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Restore strength to the adrenals and will improve your stress response. |
Hypericum Perforatum (St. Johns Wort), Oats, Valerian and Skullcap |
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Tonifying and can reduce nervous tension and spasm in the body. |
The best way to take medicinal herbs is in an herbal extract blend, and your medicinal herbalist will mix this up for you in the appropriate proportions. You will also be given a dosage to suit your body type and the severity of your situation. Your herbal remedy may include Bach Flower Essences which will restore harmony and awareness in the emotional feeling side of the body.
Take a good multi-vitamin supplement. Important nutrients are B vitamins to support the nervous system, and a vitamin C to nourish the adrenals. Ask your natural therapist for advice on the best multi-vitamin supplement for you.
Exercise – Movement Meditation |
Movement and Dance meditation is a wonderful healer. Other stress-busting movement practices that I recommend are Tai Chi, Feldenkrais method and of course, Yoga.
Visit www.movingspaces.nia-australia.com for further information on movement exercises.
Su-Lin Sze's Tips on what you can do right now to combat stress |
> Spend at least one hour before bedtime doing something relaxing such meditation or gentle movement. Do your best to ensure that you have a quiet peaceful environment to sleep in. |
> Buy yourself some crayons or paints and let your intuition guide you as you make marks on paper or canvas. Let the art become a therapeutic experience, accepting whatever your hands creat as your unique expression of self. |
> Move your body! Dance, walk, run, shake, roll around on the grass, anything that gives your body a boost and re-energizes you is good for you. Exercise doesn’t have to be high intensity. Use the movement meditation above to deepen your breathing, improve focus and induce a state of calm. |
> Avoid foods that you are allergic to, or intolerant of, as these will stress the body physically. Common foods that stress the body include sugar, wheat, chocolate, dairy, preserved and highly processed foods, and fatty fried foods. Instead choose fruits, vegetables, spelt or rye bread and soy products. |
> Don’t skip meals as this starves your body of energy and causes havoc with blood glucose levels. |
> Eat low G.I foods and lots of fresh vegetables and fruit. |
> Exercise daily for 30 minutes or more. This can include walking, dancing, yoga, deep breathing, stretching or more energetic activities. |
> Drink plenty of water to keep your kidneys and other eliminative organs happy. This reduces toxic buildup in the body. Celery and pear juice are friendly and efficient body cleansers. |
For more information and how to contact Su-lin |
More Articles by Su-lin Sze |
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