Yes, I know — there are some pretty powerful herbs I will not be discussing in this list.  Herbs like marijuana, jimsomweed (loco weed, datura) and damiana will not only get you as relaxed as a rag doll, they can also get you amazingly ill if not used under strict medical supervision.  I saw someone self-medicating with jimsonweed suddenly become convinced he was made of stone and stick both of his hands inside of a campfire.  We had to haul him out.  The next day, he had no memory of the incident, but the blisters on his hands reminded him. 

So, today we’ll just stick with the milder legal herbs for relaxation.  And remember, treat these herbs with the same respect you would give a prescription drug.  And please don’t use this article in the place of medical advice.

Chamomile

Know it.  Love it.  Use it  – unless you are allergic to ragweed.  It looks very much like a daisy, because it’s related to a daisy, which is in the ragweed family.  You’ll know you are allergic if you get rashes, sudden nausea or develop breathing troubles.  But most people find chamomile to have very mild and beneficial effects.  One of these effects is to help relax your muscles, thus helping your whole body to relax.  I also like to use cooled used chamomile tea bags to stop sudden itches.  Although chamomile comes in many forms, I find the least inexpensive and the most pleasant is chamomile tea.

Mint

Some people find that any of the mint family makes a great herbal relaxant.  But some people, like me, find that peppermint can be invigorating and wake up the mind.  However, it does help soothe digestive embarrassments (so to speak) and getting rid of gas cramps or that stuffed feeling can certainly be relaxing.

St John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is prescribed as an antidepressant in Europe.  It looks a lot like chamomile.  If you take prescription antidepressants, however, you need to stay away from St. John’s Wort.  If you take them both, they clash and you wind up feeling more miserable than before.  This comes in tinctures, teas and capsules.  It also is a major ingredient in remedies touted as "natural stress relief", so be sure to read the ingredients of any of these products carefully if you are on antidepressants. Some people think it can help you relax after a particularly worrying time, provided you have not been diagnosed as having depression or bipolar disorder.  You really should ask your doctor before taking it.

Next time, we’ll take a closer look at ginger, which is widely available and being used for stress management in some people.

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