Anti stress type herb relief?

[Faery-Wings]

I am looking for some ideas to help deal with some stress/anger/depression issues I am having. I have looked into St John's Wort, which I have used quite successfuly for SAD. But I'd rather take something more of an "as needed" type thing as opposed to a "one pill two times a day" regimine.
It could be herbal or homeopathic, or Bach. I am just not sure which direction is the best to go in. I looked around medherb.com and holistic online.com and just wound up more unsure.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[mothwench]

well, the thing about most herbal remedies, especially when treating things like nervousness and depression, is that they usually only work when taken regularly, as a regime, as you call it.
here's some herbs to look up:
lemon balm, catnip, passion flower, lavender, and valerian are all herbs that you can take regularly without worrying about any side effects. (as opposed to st. john's wort which makes your skin sensitive to sunlight)

[Avalon]

There's a famous Bach Flower Essence (actually a mixture of a few) called "Rescue Remedy", which is supposed to work wonders when you are under stress. Here's the link to the official Bach website...maybe he can find a specific essence to help him with his issues - good luck

http://www.bachcentre.com/

[StarryDancer]

My vote goes to plain old chamomile tea, with a spoon of honey. Drank buckets of it in college, and it really does soothe. Now I find I enjoy it particularly in winter, as it smells of summer flowers.

[Cappy]

When I was realy stressed out I would take catnip, hawthon and scullcap. It worked miracles. If you have a heart condition or blood pressure problems leave out the hawthorn (which stimulates the heart) and the sculcap(which lowers blood pressure)

[KestrelsFlight]

On St. Johns Wart...
take three 300 ml caps (preferably the over the counter with b vitamins) with a cup of green tea, hot. And at some point daily
The amino acids in the green tea allow your body to process the St Johns wart much faster, you will feel the result with in 48 hours.
If it is really bad take one standard cap of Valerien, most over the counters sugest three for helps sleeping but one usaully takes the edge off with out drowsiness. the first time you do this, make sure that you dont have to drive in the next two hours because for some even a little causes drowsiness. I find that it does not, in a smaller dose. Valerien is a muscle relaxer with very mild mood effect, (most tend to feel lite and/or happy) No physical addiction and so far no cross effects with other medication or assosiation with liver problems
kes

[Mnemosyne]

You're into aromatherapy, Chyrssi, so have you thought of relaxing lavender scents? It works for me. Also, an energizing smell like mint works since when I'm all pumped up, I don't feel like I have time to worry- got so much to do. Here's also what I do when I'm bummed out by the lousy weather; I try using a spring smelling lotion. For example, I have a honesuckle one and a freesia one. It reminds me of happy thoughts of spring.

BB

[asamananara]

Kava Kava. Prepared the traditional way, not as a silver-bullet
pill-popper.
Cannabis.
Both plants have relaxing and stress reducing spirits, and
used ethically and responsibly, can greatly enhance one's
enjoyment of life by eliminating our cultural addiction to
stress. As needed.

[mucgwyrt]

Beware of St. Johns Wort however - it interferes with the contraceptive pill.

[Jenet]

I tend to use St Johns Wort and Valerian as teas for destressing and I have heard from various people that it (SJW) can interfere with the pill, does anyone know how exactly and what doses are "safe"? All I've ever heard is interferance with no elaboration and I'm intrigued.

Jenet