Stress leads to disease.
There are multiple studies which corroborate this statement. Many of them are referenced in my previous blog(s) on stress. I’m obsessed about relieving stress in healthy, non-toxic ways, because I want us all to live happy healthy long lives!
In the last blog I briefly outlined Harter Acupuncture’s healthy aging program, and I focused on acupuncture and other processes to help us all feel better. Today, I highlight two of my favorite general stress-relieving herbal medicines.
Ashwagandha has its origins in Ayurvedic medicine, the traditional medicine of India.
It is listed in the class of adaptogens, meaning that it has neuroprotective, anti-fatigue, and anti-depressive effects on the CNS or central nervous system, among other attributes. In a 2019, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the researchers found that ashwagandha reduced stress and anxiety, and improved the overall quality of life in the participants (Salve, et al., 2019). Dr. Lin, of The Cleveland Clinic, also touts the benefits of ashwagandha for reducing stress, inflammation, reducing cancer risks, improving memory, immunity, and for anti-aging (Lin, 2021). I take ashwaganda daily. If you’re on thyroid medication, ask me or your other medical professionals before taking.
Another fabulous stress-reliever, amongst its other attributes, is the famous Chinese medicine formula Xiao Yao San, translated as “free and easy wanderer.”
This formula helps with stress, depression, and anxiety, and can be taken over an extended time*. Whether your stress manifests as anxiety or depression, this is your formula. One recent study I found on Xiao Yao San showed an improvement in cognitive ability (Liu, et al. 2020)…ok it was in rats, but that’s the first step to human trials. If you find a stressed rat in a maze looking for it’s cheese, give it Xiao Yao San and it will ‘sigh’ and pitter pat happily to its prize. The serious point is, Xiao Yao San is a great formula to combat stress, depression, anxiety and potentially help your cognitive abilities!
One more thing… I know there is a lot of information out there about items coming from China and their safety. The larger US companies who manufacture and sell Chinese herbs, have their raw herbs, and subsequently their formulations, rigorously tested multiple times to meet or exceed US Pharmacopoeia standards before they are shipped to the US.
* under the advice and care of your licensed TCM practitioner
Legal Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.Statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
References
Lin, Y., MD, (2021, May 5). What Is Ashwaganda? https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-ashwagandha/
Liu, L., Ge, F., Yang, H., Shi, H., Lu, W., Sun, Z., Yan, J., & Qiao, F. (2020). Xiao-Yao-San Formula Improves Cognitive Ability by Protecting the Hippocampal Neurons in Ovariectomized Rats. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2020, 4156145. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/4156145 Salve, J., Pate, S., Debnath, K., & Langade, D. (2019). Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus, 11(12), e6466. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus