Calming Anxiety with Herbal Medicine & Embodied Awareness
Anxiety has a Greek root ‘anxo’ meaning to squeeze, strangle or press tight; triggered by fear, it manifests as tension in the mind & body.
Physiologically, the body is in a sympathetic flight response, which can look like tense muscles, elevated heart rate, and upset digestion. The mind panics, searching for an escape route.
The flight response is an intelligent response by the body in unsafe situations; it mobilizes us into action to address a stressor. It best serves us as a short lived response, and can have serious consequences when it becomes chronic.
Oftentimes a person’s anxiety may be out of proportion to the current situation; in these moments a ‘body memory’ has likely been triggered. Body memories are imprints of experiences from the past that haven’t been resolved in the nervous system. When a situation feels similar in some way to the original trigger, the nervous system will respond as if the experience is happening again.
Anxiety can be soothed, calmed, and resolved, but the key to healing will be different for each person. Today we’re sharing a few somatic tools and herbal medicines that we invite you to explore for yourself.
Orientation (for when you are spiraling mentally, but physically safe)
Take a moment to scan around you, taking in your surroundings. Ask yourself, “Am I physically safe?” Notice, and confirm with your eyes, that there is no physical danger. You are okay. Let this sink into your body, take in it on a visceral level so that your nervous system can catch up with your awareness.
Body Posture
Body posture informs our emotional state, and emotions inform our posture. By shifting one we can often shift the other. Notice your posture. Explore moving your body into the opposite shape that you’re in, gently move between the two feeling what it’s like to shift into the opposite state. This can help your nervous system to transition into regulation.
Skullcap, Scutellaria lateriflora
Skullcap is one of our quintessential nervine herbs as it is well tolerated by most and extremely effective. It unwinds nervous tension, relieving anxiety and restores a burned out nervous system. It is indicated for those who are highly sensitive to sensory stimulation and high pressure situations, and become easily overwhelmed. Skullcap can take the edge off, making everyday situations more manageable.
Chamomile, Matricaria recutita
Chamomile is well known for its ability to calm and relax the mind and nerves. It also relaxes tension in the gut, relieving bloating and belly aches associated with anxiety. For most people, it is gentle enough to be consumed at low doses during the day without feeling overly sedated. Taken in higher doses, it is and supportive for restful sleep.
Kava Kava, Piper methysticum
Kava root can be helpful for those who experience social anxiety and have a tendency to feel closed off to others. This plant can relax tension and reduce inhibitions, allowing connection and ease.
It relaxes psychological tension as well as musculoskeletal tension, making it a helpful medicine for people who become physically rigid when anxious.
We will be exploring anxiety deeply in our upcoming course:
HERBAL MEDICINE FOR MENTAL WELLNESS
Plants as Guides to Embodied Well-being
Early bird registration is now open. Click the button below to learn more!
