Ayurvedic herbs for mental clarity, focus and relaxation
It’s finally Friday and another crazy week is behind us.
The weekend comes and goes and then we’re back on the hamster wheel again, often running in circles and feeling stressed out by the time Friday rolls around again.
And there are many things to be stressed about these days. We’re all dealing with our own challenges and pressures: relationships, finances, health issues, home issues, world news and anything and everything in between.
It’s so easy to become overwhelmed and lose mental clarity and focus to get through each day. Sometimes we feel so mentally burdened and exhausted it’s hard to get anything concrete done let alone feel really productive, well and strong.
Ayurvedic herbs for mental clarity, focus and relaxation are time-proven tools that help with restoring mental health.
The science of Ayurveda dates back over 5,000 years where it originated in the Indian sub-continent.
Ayurveda means “the science of life” in Sanskrit, the ancient language from India.
It represents a holistic way of healing the mind, body and spirit using ancient Indian practices that include diet, exercise, meditation, breathing, yoga, herbal remedies, and lifestyle tips based on your body’s constituency and recognizing that each person’s mind, body and spirit is comprised of, and is energetically connected to the five elements or mahabhutas of Mother Nature: space, air, water, fire and earth.
There are at least 5 herbs used in Ayurveda that can help people with calming the mind. When our mind is calm, our body relaxes. So, it’s super important to recognize that when we’re feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, its time to take the steps needed to calm ourselves down and regain our sense of equilibrium to feel better.
Consider trying these Ayurvedic herbs to soothe and comfort the mind, find clarity and build resiliency:
Ashwagandha. Also known as Indian ginseng, Ashwagandha has been used for centuries by Ayurvedic practitioners to improve memory and concentration, treat neurological disorders and boost energy and vitality to live a long and healthy life. It has remarkable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-depression, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, sedative, immunomodulatory and cardioprotective properties.
Brahmi. Also known as bacopa monneri, Brahmi supports a calm mind and provides mental clarity and alertness. When taken over a period of time, it can improve memory and concentration levels and provide long-lasting relief from anxiety and stress. And the bonus properties: Brahmi contains powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and even anti-cancer properties.
Gotu Kola. Commonly found across Asia, South Africa and Australia, this herb has been widely used to fight oxidative stress, anxiety and depression, while gently supporting improved cognition, memory, concentration and focus. Gotu Kola specifically improves blood flow to the brain and promotes the growth of new brain cells. It also has amazing anti-aging properties with its Chinese name meaning “fountain of youth”.
Turmeric. A staple golden spice in all Indian households, Turmeric is best known for its anti-inflammatory properties. But did you know turmeric also helps fight brain fog and mental fatigue? Used consistently, Turmeric can bring you amazing mental clarity and focus, plus it’s great for keeping inflammation at bay throughout your entire body.
Tulsi. Also called Holy Basil, this plant is commonly found at the entrance of homes across India and is used to bless homes as a holy herb. Tulsi has incredible antioxidant properties, it lowers stress and cortisol levels, supports the nervous system, brings mental clarity and improves memory when used over time. I love sipping a fresh cup of Tulsi tea mid-morning each day and it gives me the zip I need to get through to lunch time with amazing focus.
These are my five favourite Ayurvedic herbs for mental health and well-being. Turns out they are also great for both mind and body health! They are known as adaptogens – they contain good stimulant properties that know how to counteract the stress in your mind-body, and they’ve been proven to provide relief to people for thousands of years.
How to consume them
You can consume them as a tea or as dried herbs, capsules, extracts or tinctures. Be sure to check with a licensed Ayurvedic practitioner or health care provider to ensure there are no contraindications with other medications or supplements you’re currently taking.
Where do you buy them?
All of them are available at reputable health food stores like Healthy Planet, Nature’s Source, Hoopers and Whole Foods. You can easily get turmeric at most major grocery stores now. Buy organic – you want to avoid products that might contain traces of pollutants or heavy metals from the soil it was harvested from, which is common in Asian countries where the products are shipped from.
Understanding the properties of Ayurvedic herbs and using them correctly to heal are just a small part of the Ayurvedic philosophy. For a deeper dive, check out my first book, The Little Book of Grounding: 75+ simple ways to restore balance to your mind, body and spirit using ancient Ayurvedic teachings for today’s world. Now available worldwide through Amazon and all major book distributors.
Have a beautiful and blessed weekend!