|
About Herbalism Program & Curriculum Course Descriptions Current Courses Professional Intensives Scheduling Tuition Fees Payment Options Registration International Students Program Director General Policies Academic Requirements Academic Policies Contact Information Location Herbal Clinic Articles Home |
 |
ARTICLES Motherwort: For Stress (and much more) As the weather gets cooler and summer winds down, most of us find ourselves getting back into the old grind at this time of year. As a result, the fall can often be a stressful time. This is compounded by the fact that most people in our society tend to live a more sedentary lifestyle during the cooler months of the year. Reducing our activity level also reduces our ability to deal with stress. In general, stress results from the "fight or flight" response of the sympathetic nervous system. This response has a very important purpose. It evolved to help us mobilize our energy reserves in potentially life-threatening situations. In a more natural environment, this mobilization of energy would have been immediately followed by some kind of intense activity, fighting or flying as the case may be. In the modern world, things are very different. We have a very different perspective on what constitutes a potentially "life-threatening" situation. Instead of being attacked by some large predator or ambushed by an enemy tribe, we feel threatened when have more work than we can handle or have an argument with our significant other. In addition, we usually find ourselves dealing with stress sitting down - at the office or in a traffic jam. In such situations, the intense physical activity traditionally associated with stressful situations is rarely a feasible response. As a result, the energy that our body mobilizes gets blocked. It has nowhere to go. If this occurs on a regular basis, you know the result - nervousness, anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, poor digestion, suppressed immune response, chronic fatigue…the list goes on and on. Welcome to the 20th/21st century! There are, however, many ways that we can help avoid, dissipate and/or control stress in our lives, if we are willing to devote sufficient time and energy. One of the best ways is exercise. If we engage in some kind of aerobic exercise on a regular basis (at least three times per week), this will help to clear out any blocked energy. It's not as good as working it out immediately after a stressful situation occurs, but it works nevertheless. Another approach is to practice some kind of discipline that helps us to control how we react in a stressful situation. Remember, stress is not caused by external situations, it is caused by how we respond to them. This is why a particular event can completely stress-out one person while someone else will just flow right through it. The kind of situations that we find stressful and how we respond to them is something that we learn throughout our lives. As a result, these patterns can also be unlearned. Some disciplines that can be helpful here include meditation, yoga, tai chi and various relaxation, visualization and stress management techniques. Another way that can help manage stress and reduce its impact on our well-being is by using herbs. One class of herbs that are particularly helpful are the adaptogens such as the various ginsengs (Panax and Eleutherococcus spp.). Adaptogens help to increase our ability to handle stress of all kinds. They are best used as tonics taken for one or more months. Adaptogens may be helpful in the long-term, but they are not very useful for acute stress. The therapeutic category of herbs that is most frequently used for the immediate treatment of stress and stress-related conditions are the relaxing nervines or "nerve tonics." There are many nervines that are popular these days. Each has its own range of properties and is particularly suited to certain types of conditions. Some of these include: lavender (Lavandula spp.), St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis). Fads come and go and unfortunately many very valuable herbs get overshadowed by whatever has the attention of the popular press. Some of the very best herbs grow right in your own backyard. One example is one of the very best and most versatile nervine tonics. This herb is motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca). Motherwort is a common herb from the mint family that prefers to grow in transition areas where it will only get sun for part of the day. It is most often found along the edges of wooded areas and in woodland clearings. In your backyard it will tend to grow beside shrubs and trees where it will benefit from their shade for part of the day. The top 40-50% of the herb is picked at the beginning of its flowering period. In our area, this will be some time from mid June to early July, depending on the year and weather conditions. At other times of the year dried motherwort can be obtained at many health food stores. You can make an infusion by steeping one to two teaspoons of the cut and sifted herb for 15-20 minutes in a closed container. My favorite way to use this herb is the fresh herb tincture. This is available from a number of manufacturers. The dosage varies from 15-50 drops, depending on the strength, type of dropper and application. As a nerve tonic, motherwort should be taken three to four times per day on an empty stomach. The best times are 15 to 30 minutes before meals and before bed. During acute stressful periods, it can be taken more frequently. Motherwort should not be taken during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. Motherwort is a first-class relaxing nerve tonic. It will mellow you out without making you feel drowsy. Taken throughout the day and before bed, it will also improve your sleep. This herb is very slightly euphoric and tends to make some people "feel good." It is also an antidepressant. As it's common name implies, Motherwort is also a tonic for the female reproductive system. It helps balance the female reproductive hormones and reduces cramping. It is very helpful for both menstrual and menopausal conditions, especially if the symptoms include nervousness, anxiety, mood swings, depression and/or palpitations. Motherwort is also an excellent parturient that can be taken during labor and for a few days to a couple of weeks after childbirth. It reduces stress and pain, aids contractions and expulsion of the placenta, and also helps reduce post-partum depression. As it's Latin name implies, motherwort is also a tonic for the heart and circulatory system. This herb strengthens the heart, probably by improving coronary circulation. It also lowers blood pressure and improves overall circulation. Once again, it is particularly suited for conditions where stress is a factor. Motherwort is also a digestive tonic. It improves the function of most of the digestive organs including the liver and the bowel as well. This is very important because digestive and bowel function tend to be suppressed by prolonged stress. Motherwort has many other properties. A couple of the more interesting include reducing fever and treating over-active (hyper-) thyroid. For treating thyroid conditions or for individuals with low (hypo-) thyroid, motherwort should be administered by a qualified practitioner. Although it can be used for any of the symptoms mentioned in the preceding paragraphs, when the condition is stress-related, this herb is in a class of its own. Motherwort is a classic example of how some of the most beneficial and versatile herbs are often overlooked. If you find yourself getting stressed out this September, you know what to do. Have a great fall! This article was originally published in Vitality Magazine, September 1998. Back to List of Articles |
 |
||