In today’s fast-paced world, stress has become a widespread issue due to hectic work schedules, financial pressures, social expectations, and digital overstimulation. The constant demand for productivity, along with the blurring of work-life boundaries, has led to chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout. Excessive screen time and social media contribute to mental fatigue, comparison, and sleep disturbances.
Environmental factors like urban noise, pollution, and processed diets further exacerbate stress levels. To combat this, holistic approaches such as mindfulness, exercise, balanced nutrition, and maintaining meaningful social connections are essential. Ayurveda emphasizes grounding practices, stress-relieving herbs, and daily self-care rituals to restore inner harmony and build resilience in the modern world.
Let’s see how some of the ayurvedic herbs can help in calming in the mind and promote stress relief.
1. Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)
Ashwagandha is a small woody plant found in India. Its root and berries are being used in ayurvedic medicines for ages. It is considered a powerful adaptogen in ayurveda that helps the body manage stress and anxiety. By strengthening the nervous system and rejuvenating the adrenal glands, Ashwagandha enhances the body’s resilience to both physical and mental stress. It helps in reducing levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by adrenal glands in response to stress. Ashwagandha fosters inner strength, making it an essential herb for managing stress naturally.
2. Brahmi (Bacopa monieri)
Brahmi is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine that has strong anti-inflammatory properties. It acts as a natural adaptogen, helping the body and mind cope with stress while enhancing cognitive function. Brahmi supports the nervous system by reducing anxiety, mental fatigue, and restlessness, making it an excellent remedy for individuals dealing with chronic stress or burnout. By balancing Vata and Pitta doshas, it promotes emotional stability, sharpens memory, and encourages mental clarity.
3. Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)
Shankhapushpi is a powerful Ayurvedic herb known for its stress-relieving and mind-calming properties. It is a powerful memory booster that helps in enhancing the brain’s working capacity and improving concentration.
It acts as a natural brain tonic, helping to reduce anxiety, mental fatigue, and restlessness. By balancing excess Vata and Pitta doshas, Shankhapushpi promotes emotional stability and enhances cognitive function. It is particularly effective in soothing the nervous system, improving concentration, and supporting deep, restful sleep.
4. Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi)
Jatamansi is a potent Ayurvedic herb known for its deep calming and stress-relieving properties. It acts as a natural tranquilizer, helping to soothe the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional stability. Jatamansi is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing chronic stress, restlessness, or insomnia, as it enhances relaxation and supports deep, restful sleep. By balancing Vata and Pitta doshas, it prevents mental exhaustion and enhances cognitive function.
5. Tagara (Valeriana wallichii)
Tagara is a powerful Ayurvedic herb known for its calming and sedative properties, making it highly effective for stress relief. It works by soothing the nervous system, reducing anxiety, and promoting deep relaxation. Tagara is particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with insomnia, restlessness, or emotional imbalances, as it helps induce restful sleep. Its natural tranquilizing effects make it an excellent remedy for overthinking, nervous tension, and mental fatigue.
6. Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
Tulsi, or Holy Basil, is one of Ayurveda’s most revered adaptogenic herbs, known for its ability to combat stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue. It helps regulate cortisol (the stress hormone), promoting emotional balance and resilience. Tulsi is particularly effective in calming an overactive mind, reducing restlessness, and enhancing mental clarity. You may consume it in tea, chew fresh leaves. With its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Tulsi not only soothes the mind but also strengthens immunity.
With its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, Tulsi not only soothes the mind but also strengthens immunity, making it an essential herb for holistic well-being.
7. Licorice (Yashtimadhu – Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Licorice commonly known as mulethi is a powerful Ayurvedic herb known for its nourishing and rejuvenating effects on the nervous system, making it highly effective for stress relief. It helps balance cortisol levels, reducing the negative impact of chronic stress on the body and mind. Licorice is particularly beneficial for those experiencing mental exhaustion, anxiety, or adrenal fatigue, as it strengthens the body’s resilience to stress. By pacifying Vata and Pitta doshas, it promotes emotional stability, enhances mental clarity, and supports deep relaxation.
8. Bala (Sida cordifolia)
It is a rejuvenating Ayurvedic herb known for its ability to strengthen the nervous system and enhance resilience to stress. It helps in reducing mental fatigue, anxiety, and restlessness, making it an excellent remedy for those experiencing chronic stress and burnout. Bala is particularly effective in nourishing and calming Vata dosha, which, when aggravated, can lead to nervous tension and exhaustion. It also supports physical strength and vitality, helping the body cope with the effects of prolonged stress.
How to Use
Some herbs are easily available in fresh form, others may be bought in powders and tablets form.
Herbal Teas – Tulsi, Brahmi, or Licorice tea can be consumed daily for a calming effect.
Herbal Powders and tablets – Ashwagandha, Jatamansi and tagar powders may be mixed with warm milk or honey before bed. They may also be consumed in the form of tablets.
Oils for Massage – Brahmi, Jatamansi and Bala infused oils for scalp massage to calm the mind.
Incorporating these Ayurvedic herbs into your daily routine can help balance the nervous system, reduce stress, and bring a sense of calm and clarity to the mind.
Conclusion
Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to stress relief by addressing the root causes of mental and emotional imbalances. Adaptogenic herbs like Ashwagandha, Brahmi, Shankhapushpi, Jatamansi, Bala, Mulethi, Tagar and Tulsi helps calm the nervous system, balance cortisol levels, and enhance resilience to stress. These ayurvedic herbs and formulations are not only effective but also inexpensive and without any side effects.
In addition to herbs, lifestyle practices such as Abhyanga (oil massage), Yoga and Pranayama, Meditation, and a balanced diet support emotional stability and mental clarity. By aligning daily routines (Dinacharya) with natural rhythms, Ayurveda promotes a state of inner harmony and long-term stress management.
Embracing Ayurvedic principles allows individuals to cultivate peace, vitality, and emotional strength, leading to a healthier and more balanced life