In today’s fast-paced society, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to give ourselves time for self-care and mindful moments. This contributes to higher stress levels, anxiety, depression, and eventual burnout. With added workloads and never-ending “to-do” lists, our sleep, routines, relationships, and hobbies can all be affected. It can feel impossible to get out of these slumps and get back to ourselves, and feelings of guilt can arise if we start making time for ourselves and put everything else to the side. 

Life is all about finding the balance. You need to be able to be productive and have a clear mind so that you can thrive throughout your day - whether it be for work, school, or taking care of the household. Stress and cortisol levels also need to be decreased so better sleep can be attained and you can flourish in all other areas of your life. This is where herbal supplementation can make a world of difference. Many herbs work as adaptogens and can aid in decreasing stress and cortisol levels, reduce symptoms of anxiety, support mental clarity, increase energy levels, and improve sleep. 

Please note that you should always speak with your healthcare practitioner or pharmacist when introducing new supplements, especially if you have any diagnosed conditions or are taking any pharmaceutical medications.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has grown in popularity over the last few years and for all the BEST reasons. Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb traditionally used for thousands of years. It is considered a Rasayana, which is described as a herb that promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health and expands happiness. Among the Rasayana herbs, Ashwagandha is considered the most supreme for the nervous system and endocrine system.

Studies have shown that ashwagandha has the ability to enhance overall cognitive function for the brain and nervous system, as well as improve memory. It is known as a powerful adaptogen and is sometimes referred to as Indian Ginseng. Adaptogens are natural herbal substances that are recognized to help the body adapt to stress by the way they respond to, and reduce cortisol levels.

The supplementation of Ashwagandha has the potential to improve overall mental well-being for individuals suffering from chronic stress. Individuals may experience improvement in sleep quality and insomnia, mental clarity, and augmented memory retention, as well as weight loss or weight gain as cortisol levels normalize.

Holy Basil

Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, is another adaptogenic herb reigning from India. Like Ashwagandha, it is also considered to be a Rasayana and can be immensely beneficial to take them together. In Ayurveda, Tulsi is prized as the elixir of life and is referred to as the “Queen of Herbs” and “Mother Medicine of Nature”. Holy Basil is not only beneficial for the wellness of the mind, it is known to promote overall wellness for the entire body.

Holy Basil has been used in hundreds of studies that show clear indications of its benefit to help maintain homeostasis in the body and mind. It restores physiological and psychological function as the body endures physical, chemical, infectious, and emotional stresses. It is confirmed to have properties such as: 

• Anti-microbial
• Anti-viral
• Anti-fungal
• Anti-bacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Anti-diabetic
• Neuro-protective
• Memory Enhancement
• Adaptogenic
• Cardio-protective
• AND much more… 

Tulsi has an exceptionally calming effect on the body which allows us to collect ourselves and have mental clarity as we hustle through our busy lives. Everyone can benefit from the consumption of Tulsi whether it be through tea or supplement form.

Bacopa

Bacopa is another Ayurvedic herb that has anti-anxiety properties but is primarily recognized for its memory-enhancing and cognitive benefits. It is a Medhya Rasayana which is a collective of herbs that are primarily recognized for their nootropic benefits in Ayurvedic Medicine. In ancient Ayurvedic studies, Bacopa is recognized to nourish the neurons and sharpen intellect. Scholars of this time would utilize Bacopa to aid them in memorization of lengthy scriptures and hymns. 

In today’s studies, Bacopa displays benefits for oxidative stress and neuroprotection. It is considered to be a neural tonic and can aid individuals with not only supporting memory but also facilitating a calm disposition, helping with focus and concentration. Because of its neuroprotective properties, Bacopa can aid in the potential prevention of dementia in healthy individuals. 

Bacopa can be beneficial for students or for individuals who have a lot on the go, as it can aid in keeping the mind calm and organized while supporting mental clarity and memory. 

Rhodiola

Rhodiola is native to the high-altitude regions of Europe and Asia, primarily in Siberia but can also be found on the coastal shorelines of eastern North America. This yellow-flowered herb has been found to have 140 active ingredients, including 6 therapeutic phytochemicals. It has been used for adaptogenic properties for centuries by those living in Scandinavian countries to treat fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It has also historically been utilized to improve work performance, enhance physical performance, as well as treat gastrointestinal upset and erectile dysfunction.

Early clinical studies found that the adaptogenic properties of Rhodiola could not only reduce the symptoms of stress in adults but also reverse and heal the damage of stress on a physiological level. Apart from being beneficial for stress management, research has shown that Rhodiola has the ability to stimulate cells in the body that control more than 50 genes that are responsible for regulating homeostasis as well as mood, behaviour, and depressive disorders. 

Apart from its exceptional benefits for the nervous system, Rhodiola has been studied extensively for its ability to improve athletic performance and reduce recovery times. With increased endurance, the synthesis of more ATP, and stimulation of reparative energy processes after intense exercise, Rhodiola is suggested for athletes of all levels to improve their overall performance. 

Whether you are an athlete or experiencing low moods and anxiety, Rhodiola may be of benefit to you and your well-being. *If you are diagnosed with depression or believe you are experiencing chronic depression, please discuss with your healthcare practitioner if Rhodiola will be suitable for you.

Lavender

Lavender is a newer supplement when it comes to orally ingesting it but it has been traditionally used in aromatherapy. The calming scent of lavender has been found to reduce stress and have a sedative effect to aid with sleep. Some may even consume it as a tea to aid with sleep and relaxation, as well as calming the gastrointestinal system and helping reduce acne. 

Recent studies have found that ingesting lavender oil capsules can reduce anxiety. The multiple studies conducted compared the supplementation of lavender oil capsules, benzodiazepine, and a placebo. In these studies, they found that lavender was far superior in its efficacy and had no side effects in comparison to benzodiazepine. 

Supplementing lavender oil capsules can be done daily to help relax the body and reduce anxiety for those who are suffering from chronic anxiety. It can also be taken when needed almost instantly to reduce anxious symptoms.

Saffron

Saffron is another plant that is more recently being studied for its benefits in improving mood and combating depression. Saffron is traditionally used as a spice but because of its high antioxidant profile, it is being researched and utilized for a multitude of health benefits such as vision, nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s (in theory), libido, PMS symptoms, and appetite suppression. 

Saffron is a suitable option to supplement for anyone who is experiencing depression symptoms or is under daily stress. The constant stress and demands of life can cause psychological and physiological changes in our bodies. Saffron has the potential to contribute to resilience against these changes.

Everything will be OK!

When there’s a lot on our plate and factors that are out of our control, it can truly feel like the world is against us, making it difficult to see the other side of the mountain! Supplementation of herbal supplements can aid us in keeping our minds at ease and allow us to be adaptable to whatever life throws at us! The mountain before you will soon transform into a hill that you will conquer effortlessly.

Send us a message or pop into the store to talk to our staff about herbal supplementation for mental wellness. Always discuss with your health care practitioner and/or pharmacist if you are taking any prescription medications.

Supporting Research

Aguiar, Sebastian, and Thomas Borowski. “Neuropharmacological Review of the Nootropic Herb Bacopa Monnieri.” Rejuvenation Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Aug. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746283/.

Cohen, Marc Maurice. “Tulsi - Ocimum Sanctum: A Herb for All Reasons.” Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296439/.

Kulkarni, Reena, et al. “Nootropic Herbs (Medhya Rasayana) in Ayurveda: An Update.” Pharmacognosy Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3459457/#:~:text=They%20are%20Mandukaparni%20(Centella%20asiatica,of%20applications%20on%20different%20systems.

Saka, Gina. “Tulsi, Ashwagandha, or Both?” Organic India, 5 Apr. 2021, organicindiausa.com/blog/tulsi-ashwagandha-or-both/.

Singh, Narendra, et al. “An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda.” African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines : AJTCAM, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3252722/.