10 Remedies for Anxiety Relief Naturally
If you’re a prepper, your top priorities likely include keeping the survival pantry stocked and the first aid kit ready for any physical ailment. Of course, those things are crucial, but what about your mental health? Survival situations can be stressful; let’s learn how turning to nature can ease the mind.
Anxiety During Survival Situations
It’s no secret that living through a survival situation probably wouldn’t be the most relaxing or enjoyable experience. Plus, it’s not likely that typical prescription anxiety meds or weekly therapy appointments will be there to guide us through. Overcoming anxiety without our accustomed treatments would be tricky, but essential for survival.
We all know what it’s like to let stress get the best of us. When your actions are coming from a place of anxiety, moodiness, mental fog, and fear, productivity feels almost impossible. During survival situations when every choice could literally be life or death, staying calm and present is vital.
Natural Stress Relief Remedies
Luckily, nature is here to help! Many plants can be grown, stockpiled, or found in nature to relax the mind and ease anxiety. Keep reading to find out which ones survivalists love most.
Passionflower
With over 500 species throughout nature, passionflower is here to slay stress away. It seems to boost the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in your brain. Since this compound lowers brain activity, passionflower helps you relax (and even sleep) better.
In addition to reducing stress, passionflower can be a soother for insomniacs. The plant also shows potential to help with stomach ulcers and provide antioxidant qualities. It’s no wonder Native Americans used this precious plant for tons of conditions like wounds, earaches, and boils.
The best way to ease stress with this natural medicine is simply drying it out and adding some to boiling water for an herbal tea. You can find it fresh or prepackaged in tea at many health foods stores if you’re looking to stock up now. Also, keep an eye out for liquid tinctures, capsules, or tablets.
Valerian
This next plant is often referred to as “nature’s Valium”. Many people use valerian as a sleep aid supplement due to its calming properties. It’s native to Europe and Asia but grows in many other areas of the world like United States and Canada.
People have used this plant as a natural form of medicine since as far back as ancient Greece and Rome. Their roots, rhizomes (underground stems), and stolons (horizontal stems) have long been used in supplements like capsules, tablets, teas and tinctures. Certain compounds of valerian, called valeric acid and valerenol, can even act on GABA receptors in the body.
In addition to acting on those receptors, valeric acid inhibits an enzyme which destroys GABA. Other compounds in valerian may also interact with receptors of serotonin and adenosine, chemicals that play important roles in the regulation of sleep and mood. Because of this, it may have anti-anxiety and anti-depression qualities, helping to ease anxious feelings that occur in response to stressful scenarios.
Some people have even reported relief from restless leg syndrome, menopausal issues, and menstrual discomfort when using valerian. Just keep in mind dosing this plant may not be effective or appropriate for everyone with anxiety symptoms. Anyone pregnant or nursing, as well as children under three years old, should avoid valerian.
Chamomile
When you think of natural anxiety relief, calming chamomile tea is probably the first thing to come to mind. It’s an incredibly popular herb often used for medicinal purposes by natural medicine doctors. There are two types of chamomile plants: German chamomile and English chamomile.
This plant has been known as a therapeutic treasure for hundreds of years, if not more. Most often, people use it to calm down, relieve stomach discomfort, help with inflammation, and treat skin conditions. Modern-day studies have found that chamomile use significantly reduces moderate-to-severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
There are a few different ways to use chamomile. Most commonly, people prefer drinking it with tea, which you can find prepackaged or easily make at home. Those taking the DIY route should use three-four tablespoons of dried chamomile, pour hot water on top, then cover it for about ten minutes before sipping.
If you’re not a tea lover, consider seeking out a chamomile supplement for your prepper supply or getting some herbal medicine seeds. This plant will be safe for most people to consume up to a few cups per day. However, those who are pregnant or suffering from asthma might want to steer clear of it.
Lavender
If you’ve ever bathed in luscious lavender body wash with the hopes of feeling chill vibes, it should come as no surprise that it’s one of nature’s stress relievers. Used since at least the medieval period, lavender has been commonly used in perfumes, soaps, and recipes around the world. This herbal medicine is renowned for its ability to create a relaxing atmosphere.
One of the incredible qualities of lavender is that it calms without sedating. It reduces anxiety by affecting the body’s fight-or-flight response. Lavender flowers and essential oil have helped reduce restlessness, agitation, disturbed sleep, nervousness, and even depression symptoms.
Lavender limits anxiety symptoms and eases the mind by lowering heart rate and adrenaline levels, regulating breathing, and improving users’ mood. Your anxious bodily processes will be regulated and restored back to a neutral state. There are several ways to gain the plant’s benefits, including consuming it orally, growing in your herbal medicine garden, or using it in essential oil.
Clinical trials suggest the best use of lavender for effective anxiety treatment is through oral supplements containing lavender essential oil. So, add it to the herbal medicine list and stock up on some now for your prepper pantry! The oil can also be rapidly absorbed when applies to the wrists, behind the ears, and to the nape of the neck for a sedative and relaxing effect.
Lemon Balm
You’ve got to check out this member of the mint family for instant anxiety relief. Lemon balm is considered a calming herb and has been used as far back as the Middle Ages. Even before then, it was steeped in wine to lift the spirits, help heal wounds, and treat venomous insect bites and stings.
People have always used lemon balm to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease indigestion discomfort. Today, it is often combined with other soothing herbs (like valerian or chamomile) to promote relaxation. Lemon balm is native to Europe but grows all over the world in crops for medicine and cosmetics.
Supplements and essential oils are made from lemon balm leaves that contain plant material called terpenes. This plant material, in addition to substances called tannins, help promote the herb’s relaxing and antiviral effects. Whether you’re drying it up or making an essential oil, this natural medicine for anxiety is an essential for any prepper garden.
Bergamot
If you’re searching for a plant that’s plentiful throughout the USA, bergamot will be an incredible healer. It’s commonly used in essential oils, and is the herb used for earl grey tea. Bergamot is known for its soothing effect and can help limit anxiety.
According to studies, the plant has helped both animals and humans improve their moods and calm down in stressful situations. It’s commonly associated with promoting plenty of positive feelings. Just note that when applied topically to the skin, it can increase sun sensitivity, so watch out for sunburn!
To apply, place a few drops of bergamot oil onto a cotton ball or handkerchief. Inhale the aroma two or three times to wind down and relieve anxiety. If you’re looking to ingest it instead, its zesty flavor can be a delicious touch to dishes and desserts.
Berries
Getting your daily dose of fruit can be an excellent way to ease anxious feelings. Berries, in particular, have plenty of antioxidants which protect cells from stress. Not to mention, they’re plentiful in nature, even during survival situations.
Snacking on sweet strawberries and raspberries can also ease feelings of depression. When we’re stressed and sad, our bodies crave vitamin C to help protect and repair our cells. Blueberries specifically are a wonderful survival superfood with plenty of stress-relieving antioxidants.
Ylang Ylang
Anxious preppers must know about the yellow, star shaped flower that grows on Cananga trees. Ylang Ylang is native to countries surrounding the Indian Ocean, such as India, the Philippians, and parts of Australia. While they’re a bit rare to grow in the United States, stocking up on oils and supplements is simple.
This plant has been found in research to boost mood, reduce depression, alleviate anxiety, lower blood pressure, and decrease heart rate. Not only does it reduce those anxiety symptoms, ylang ylang can also be a treatment for stomach issues, headaches, and as an herbal medicine for cough. Just be sure to always dilute the plant before using.
It’s essential to store ylang ylang properly. Keep it in an opaque, glass container in a cool dark place for essential oil. Be sure to use and monitor the quality of your oil. It has a long shelf life; however, you should never use one that is expired or smells rancid.
Clary Sage
Those looking for chill vibes with a clean, refreshing scent should seek out clary sage. It’s often used in an essential oil which is extracted from the plant’s leaves and buds. However, you can also use it in aromatherapy, a skin balm, or tea.
Clary sage is easy to grow in areas with warm weather and high temperatures. It’s also known as “clear eye” and “eye bright” because of its traditional use as a treatment for eye health. But now, it’s being studied for a variety of other health benefits.
Breathe the scent of clary sage in deeply to induce a calm state of mind. You can also dilute some essential oil with water to make a soothing room spray. Before ingesting or applying it to the body, check for sensitivity with a patch test.
Kava
Preppers love the precious plant known to produce pleasant sensations and have a calming, relaxing effect on those that use it. Because of kava’s calming qualities, it’s come to the attention of the medical community as a possible treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. This plant grows in tropical climates, particularly on the islands of the Pacific Ocean.
Kava has been used as an unregulated herbal treatment for generations. But it was only recently that researchers isolated an active ingredient, called “kavain” that affects mood receptors and helps people with anxiety. Kavain brings on the feelings of relaxation and sometimes even euphoria.
Anxiety-Relieving Tips and Tricks for Survival
Although there are plenty of plants to help along a survival journey, sometimes they’re needed for other things or just simply unavailable. It’s great to have a few mental health tricks up your sleeve to be your own self-soother. Believe it or not, stopping stress can start with a simple breath.
It might seem silly, but deep breathing is one of the simplest (yet most effective) ways to ease anxiety. Focusing on your breath draws attention away from racing thoughts or stressful situations and into the body. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed during a survival scenario, take some deep breaths and watch your mind clear.
You can take deep breathing to the next level with a meditation practice. While it looks different for everyone, meditation is typically a form of self-reflection and mindfulness. Taking five or ten minutes of solitude before hunting and gathering is a great idea during survival.
Some of the best ways to ease anxiety are by staying active and enjoying nature. Since survival scenarios will likely require us to trek through the wilderness anyway, why not use it to improve your mental state? Being in touch with nature will bring you the gift of presence, even in the most extreme scenarios.
Now that you know all the best plants and herbs for kicking anxiety to the curb, survival just became a whole lot easier! All your bases are covered – when SHTF, your pantry will be stocked, first aid kit full, and mental health in tip top shape. Before you go, don’t forget to check out more from Crow Survival for all things prepper life.
