Author: A Solitary Pagan

Theanine (of which L-theanine is a part of) is a compound found in green tea, matcha tea and black tea. It has been shown to relieve anxiety and help your body to function better. L-thenanine is thought to boost GABA levels in your brain (GABA is an important neurotransmitter that helps send messages between the brain and the nervous system). This will help to reduce anxiety for many people. Studi...

Traditionally grown in Asia and sub-tropical regions, holy basil is an adaptogenic herb used for lowering stress levels. It helps to bring cortisol levels back down to neutral so that the body is better able to function and deal with whatever challenges are coming up. An article in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine mentions the following

Valarian works well for most people if you need to seriously quieten the central nervous system and gently sedate yourself. It will induce a deep and restful sleep for 95% of people (5% of people, for some reason, will however, experience the opposite effect). Valarian was the plant inspiration for the synthetic valium drug; although taking the whole plant allows for a natural ‘whole-plant’ experi...

Many people find rhodiola to be an excellent anti-anxiety herb. It is also good for depression. One of the wonderful things about this herb is that like ashwagandha, it does not make you feel drowsy. It is an adaptogenic herb helping our system find equilibrium during whatever life should throw at us. Rhodiola reduces the fight or flight hormone cortisol in the body, whilst stimulating dopamine an...

Kava Kava works by stimulating dopamine receptors and gently inducing euphoria. It’s somewhat like benefiting from that relaxed feeling you get with a glass of wine, yet staying alert at the same time (and with none of the side-effects of alcohol). Kava is typically used to deal with anxiety, improve mood, help with sleep and increase confidence in social situations. Various studies show clear ant...

This awesome herb became one of my favourite herbs during the height of my challenges. It is well known amongst Native American tribes as a woman’s herb, although it is beneficial for us all. It can normalise the nervous system and help induce a state of peace and calm. Skullcap helps to balance our thoughts to help us create the inner-space so that we stop reacting to triggers and find more helpf...