With the pace and stress of modern life, it is little wonder that so many people are prone to chronic, general anxiety. Between hectic work schedules, financial worries and the difficulty of balancing childcare and career demands, people can be left feeling very tense indeed. This tension can often lead to headaches, and many people suffer from this condition on a fairly regular basis because of uncontrolled stress. That is why anti-anxiety agents like Xanax are some of the most widely-prescribed drugs in the United States. However, drugs like these come with a high risk of dependency and can also cause other unwanted side effects like drowsiness and lethargy. That is why so many people are seeking natural remedies to help treat their stress and the headaches that can sometimes go with it. One of the most popular treatments for this is lavender.
Lavender and stress
Lavender has been used for its calming properties at least since the times of the ancient Greeks, who grew it easily in their hot, dry Mediterranean climate. Modern science is beginning to validate what herbalists and naturopathic practitioners long have known: lavender is simply one of the best known herbs for stress. In one study, participants who breathed in aromatherapy lavender for as little as three minutes scored better on standardized tests to determine levels of anxiety and depression. Another study, using lavender aromatherapy with the staff of a hospital, found that the majority of the staff (around 85%) reported greater feelings of calm, less stress and higher degrees of productivity with the use of the infusers.
Other benefits
Apart from the ability to treat chronic stress and anxiety, lavender oil brings other important health benefits to the table. It is often used in natural household cleaners or in skin or hair products due to its ability to fight off infections from bacteria, viruses or fungus. It has natural anti-inflammatory properties which, topically, are great for a variety of skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis and orally can help with arthritis and other chronic inflammatory conditions. It is able to soothe pain, decrease depression, and detoxify the body as well as promote restful sleep.
The recipe for lavender lemonade below, then, does not only help with stress and result headaches but provide the other health benefits discussed above.
Recipe for lavender lemonade
Ingredients:
- 1 cup raw, unfiltered organic local honey
- 12 cups filtered water
- 1 drop lavender oil
- Juice from 6 freshly squeezed lemons
Directions
Mix ingredients together, then refrigerate and enjoy when chilled.
In short, this recipe is simple to make and it is a great way to help distress and to reap all the other health benefits that lavender has to offer!
Sources:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265922.php
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/lavender
http://complete-health-and-happiness.com
