Growing Herbs For Relaxation

There are plenty of ways to relax when you have a garden. Not only can a garden itself be a restful, relaxing place to spend some time, sitting with a good book, sunbathing or enjoying yourself with friends and family, but gardening can also be a relaxing pastime. Connecting with nature, enjoying fresh air, getting some gentle exercise and watching plants grow have all been shown to reduce stress and make people more content and relaxed. What better way to reduce stress and regain some balance in your life than growing herbs for relaxation. You will feel more relaxed through growing them and those herbs can then relax you at the end of a long day. Here are three of the most common herbs grown for their relaxing, anxiety reducing and stress-busting qualities:

Lavender

Lavender has long been used in the western herbal tradition and modern medicine has shown that it does have pain relieving, anxiety reducing and mood-stabilizing results when the essential oil is inhaled. Lavender essential oil has also been shown to reduce the severity of migraine headaches and to reduce the agitation experienced by patients in nursing homes. Fresh lavender grown in your garden can be used to fragrance your home, fresh or dried, or for a wide range of cosmetic applications.

Chamomile

Chamomile is perhaps the best known of all the herbs used for relaxation, usually in the form of a tea. A soothing cup of chamomile tea is the perfect way to end a long and stressful day. Not only does chamomile soothe nerves, it is also said to calm muscle spasms, aid in digestion, and help with dizzy spells or motion sickness. It is safe for both adults and children and studies have shown that it really does help everyone have a restful night's sleep.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is another relaxing herb to grow in your garden. A member of the mint family, it can also reduce anxiety, calm digestion and elevate mood. Traditionally, lemon balm is taken for restlessness and nervous indigestion but interestingly, a study from 2002 showed that it also enhances cognitive performance through the way it acts on acetylcholine receptors in the brain, meaning perhaps that you will be left feeling more in control of the situation and better able to cope with challenges you face.

There are of course many more herbs that are grown for their relaxing properties but growing these three should be a good start and could be the beginning of a more stress-free way of life for you and those around you.