Stress is an inevitable part of life, but suffering? Now that is optional. Whether your distress arrives from a major life change, growing concerns over the world, or is associated with your health, know that there are dozens of ways to mitigate it. Best part of all?
Natural stress relievers abound, allowing you to manage your health as organic as you would like.
What is homeopathy?
That said, aside from the self-care remedies most of us know well—from yoga to meditation and essential oils—one element is occasionally missing from the conversation:
Homeopathic medicine. Dating back to ancient Greece, the alternative form of healing has its roots in Hippocrates’ belief that “like cures like.” Or, to phrase it differently, homeopathy operates from the conviction that a substance that causes an adverse reaction in a healthy person can prompt a cure for the same symptoms in a sick one. (Think of how flu shots work.)
Additionally, while homeopathy calls upon botanicals that range from onion to wild rosemary, only a tiny amount of the substance is used, rendering it a generally safe option—and a particularly appealing one for those who would like to eschew pharmaceuticals.
Luckily,
homeopathic remedies—which come in liquid drops, creams, gels, and tablets— have long been used to treat stress. Here are the top five homeopathic remedies for angst of all kinds, and how they might benefit you.
The Best Homeopathic Remedies for Stress and Anxiety
1. If you’re suffering from anxiety, try Arsenica Album
Anxious, isolated, lonely, even afraid of the dark?
Arsenica Album may offer relief. Prepared by diluting arsenica trioxide until little or no actual arsenic remains, this classic homeopathic tonic—considered one of the 15 most important remedies in the homeopathic community—is used for worry, restlessness, insecurity and the distress that often arrives with perfectionism. Bonus points: Arsenica Album can also be used to help manage the symptoms of food poisoning.
2. If you’re enduring PMS-related stress, try Pulsatilla
From belly bloat and weepiness to fatigue and cramps, we women know that PMS can do a number on us.
Pulsatilla may soothe the symptoms that arrive with menstruation. Derived from Pulsatilla—a genus that contains 40 species of herbaceous perennials native to Asia, Europe, and North America—this homeopathic remedy “contains chemicals that might be able to fight pain and bacteria,” WebMD reports. What’s more, homeopaths believe that it can be especially helpful for girls who have recently started their periods.
3. If you’re feeling anger arise from stress, try Nux Vomica
The name may sound terrible, but
Nux Vomica is a cornerstone of the homeopathic movement. Drawn from an evergreen tree that’s endemic to Australia and Southeastern Asia, Nux Vomica is used to support anger control and management. Further, it’s used to help with anxiety-induced headaches and sleeplessness—
one of the most common side effects of stress. And if you’ve been called a workaholic at some point (hello, even more stress), know that Nux Vomica may be right for you too: It’s recommended to those who tend to overdo it, in and out of the workplace.
4. If you’re prone to panic attacks or sudden bursts of anxiety, try Aconite
Monkshood, wolf’s bane, devil’s helmet, queen of poisons, blue rocket—Aconitum, or “Aconite,” has many names. This homeopathic remedy, from a genus that includes 250 species of flowering plants belonging to the Ranunculacaeae family, is a leading choice for acute conditions, such as “intense, sudden anxiety, panic or fear,”
Healthline reports, the symptoms of which can range from dry skin to a fast pulse. A particularly good choice for those who have dealt with trauma,
Aconite can also be used when a fever strikes.
5. If you’re too stressed to focus, try Phosphorous
Happen to be an extrovert who, despite loving your social circle, you often find yourself scattered? Consider
phosphorous. Suggested to those whose distracted thoughts overwhelm them, it’s particularly helpful for people who feel a need for approval in social circles or from their romantic partners. (Which, let’s face it, is nearly the lot of us.) It’s also used to help treat a number of symptoms associated with anxiety, including exhaustion, headaches and insomnia. And with a better night’s sleep, well, nearly all stress may be surmountable.
