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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Ottawa chapter.

Ever feel like not getting up in the morning because your mind is in overdrive? Maybe you can’t stop thinking about a life-changing event from the past or that you’re expecting for the future. Well, I definitely have experienced this before! So, I’ve done my research to find out how you can fight that overthinking and came across the term “herbalism.” Herbalism is a practice where herbs and spices are used as a therapeutic or medicinal tool to support a happier and healthier way of life as opposed to medications that may have a long list of side effects.

No matter the cause of your stress, let’s try to combat it together! How? Through adding these five herbs into our diets whenever we can!

5 HerbS

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is an herb that is scientifically proven to improve your way of life positively. By taking Ashwagandha root extract supplements, you’ll find that it significantly reduces stress levels, thus leading to an improved overall quality of life.

Lavender

Lavender can be taken orally or, more commonly, through aromatherapy. It is said to reduce stress and anxiety. In addition, it can uplift your mood and soothe the mind… both of which reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and even insomnia! So say goodbye to stress, yes, but also to sleep troubles!

Chamomile

Chamomile might as well be called “calm-omile” for its calming effect when taken orally. It’s most known for its tea form that you can drink before bed to help you sleep throughout the night! You asked for the tea, so here it is… the only tea you could ever need!

Turmeric

A compound in turmeric called “curcumin” gives this herb its positive stress-fighting effects on the human body. This ingredient unique to turmeric can help treat anxiety, depression, and many more stress-related mental health disorders because it boosts serotonin and dopamine levels within the human body.

Hello, happy hormones!

Passionflower

You guessed it; this herb also reduces anxiety. And it also has a not-so-secret ingredient that might as well be a secret for its health benefits! The “secret” ingredient is… magnesium! Passionflower is rich in magnesium which helps in supporting nerve and muscle function and energy production within our bodies! Magnesium is actually in nearly every multivitamin, since it’s a mineral that also helps reduce stress and anxiety levels. 

If you’ve ever wondered what could help with stress besides medication, I hope this article finds you! These five herbs have been scientifically proven and commonly used over many decades to aid in minimizing stress levels. So, let’s get through any tough time together by incorporating these five herbs into our daily lives, shall we?

Emily Crandall

U Ottawa '24

4th-year Communications and Sociology student at the University of Ottawa.