5 Stress-Relieving Plants You Can Add to Your Living Space
According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 1 in 5 American adults say that their mental health has declined in the last two years. With this decline, people are looking to do anything they can to help relieve some of their stress.
One remedy that has become increasingly popular is the use of herbs, as there are many that have medicinal properties for stress relief. Herbs can be acquired in a variety of ways, as you can buy them from a reputable source or even grow them yourself at home!
Let’s dig into some of the best available stress relieving herbs.
Blue Skullcap
Blue skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a perennial native to North America that has been used for hundreds of years. These small blue flowers are shaped like helmets in terms of their appearance. The leaves are used in herbal medicine as a sedative and have the capability to treat conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and convulsions. With this nerve-calming power, it’s popularly used in tea blends such as herbal tea and can be even taken in extract form.
California Poppy
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a flowering, self-seeding annual that is native to the western U.S. This orange flower is not only the state flower of California, but also commonly used for its calming and sedative properties. A gentle tonic for the nervous system, this poppy can even help you sleep better! The flowers, leaves, and stems are all used in herbal teas and can be taken in both capsule and extract form.
German Chamomile
German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is a self-seeding annual that is native to eastern and southern Europe. In terms of appearance, the German chamomile has small white flowers that circle its yellow center. This plant has a uniquely similar taste to apples and is also a very popular herb for stress relief. It helps with depression, nervous tension, and sleeping issues. The flowers are commonly harvested and subsequently made into medicinal tea. You can take it in capsule and extract forms as well.
Lavendar
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a perennial native to Europe. In terms of appearance, lavender shows off fragrant purple blooms. It can help with stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Interestingly enough, lavender contains an oil that is one of the most popular essential oils in the world and is often used in aromatherapy. The flowers are commonly made into an herbal tea and can also be taken in capsule form.
Sweet Marjoram
Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) is an annual native to the Mediterranean region and western Africa that is best known for its treating properties for anxiety. Marjoram oil extracted from the leaves is tranquilizing to the central nervous system and can be used for depression, nervous headaches, and insomnia. The essential oil from the herb is applied topically.
Create Your Own Stress-Relieving Garden
There are many annual and perennial plants that have stress-relieving properties that you can grow right at home. You can either start them from seed or buy them as starter plants. Along with the plants, you can add components from a sensory garden to help calm you.
The plants and their flowers are used for sight, smell, and taste. For touch, you could add a stone path to walk on or a bench to sit on. For sound, you could add a fountain or a wind chime. All of these things together can help induce a state of relaxation.
Make sure to stop by our Stress Relief Garden located between the Larsen Orchard Remnant and the Van Den Wymelenberg Color & Foliage Garden for inspiration. I’m also regularly tending to this area so if you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask!
Green Bay Botanical Garden does not endorse the use of these herbs to treat any illness or disease. Use with caution and consult a physician before beginning any herbal treatments.
