Mother Earth provides medicine for all forms of healing, helping in many aspects of our overall well-being. Her medicines are strong and they heal our minds, bodies, and spirits.
Psychiatric Disorders such as anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder and phobic conditions can be treated naturally just as any physical ailment or disorder can. Mother Earth’s medicine is amazing in that way.
Typically, people who deal with a psychiatric disorder are prescribed psychotropic drugs to help treat their symptoms. Psychotropic medications such as tranquilizers, sedatives, and antidepressants affect our mental activity, behavior, perception, and contain mood-altering stimulants. There are many natural ways to treat these same issues and in many cases, there are little to no side effects. Always do your research and discuss the introduction of any new remedies with a licensed and trained practitioner or holistic healer before trying new things.
The Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) is a very beautiful flowering perennial that grows on either vines or shrubs. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this plant has so much more to offer than mere beauty. The flowers, leaves, and stems are all used to make teas, tinctures, extracts, and infusions to treat several different psychiatric issues. This calming herb is used to treat insomnia, anxiety, hysteria, and even seizures. The effects are similar to yet milder than those of Valerian, which is also efficient for treating insomnia and anxiety.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a more familiar herb found in many local health stores. It grows well in the wild and has been used for centuries for the relief of depression, PMS, menopause, and inflammation. The plant is also effective for treating mild-to-moderate depression with fewer side effects than many pharmaceuticals. There is a possibility that St. John’s Wort can interact with other prescription medications, so be sure to check with the professional before you combine it with other medications.
Kava-Kava (Piper methysticum) is another ancient medicine that has been used throughout the centuries in religious and cultural ceremonies that take place in Hawaii and other islands of the Pacific Ocean. It is consumed in teas, tinctures, and pill form, providing relaxation with full mental clarity. Many prescription medications that are used to relax a person also alter their mind and focus. The effects of the Kava plant are similar to Xanax or Valium, but these effects are provided from a natural source. Kava is also a good alternative for people dealing with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and phobic conditions.
Rhodiola rosea is a flowering perennial that loves the cold weather. People in Russia have used it for many years to help with the extremely cold weather along with the stress and anxiety that comes with it. It is also well known in traditional Chinese medicine as it is used to treat altitude sickness and various other conditions. Studies show that Rhodiola promotes an overall feeling of well-being and it also supports various mental functions. Rhodiola also improves the symptoms of anxiety instead of masking them.
Skullcap (Scutellaria) is a member of the mint family. Traditional Chinese medicine uses it to clear away and ward off evil. It is used to treat inflammation, diarrhea, and even hepatitis. There are two different varieties that are used as medicine: Scutellaria lateriflora which is American Skullcap, and Scutellaria baicalensis, or Chinese Skullcap. According to information provided on PennState Hershey Medical Center, American Skullcap is used to treat a wealth of conditions, ailments, and illnesses, and it is also used to treat serious neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, and even anxiety and depression. Chinese Skullcap is also used for numerous ailments but it doesn’t affect depression or anxiety like the American strain does.
Medicine is everywhere! It’s in the water, Earth, and air. As always be sure to do your own extensive research. I can’t stress enough how important it is to discuss any new treatments, natural remedies, or Earth medicine with a professional practitioner or a licensed herbalist.
Psychiatric Disorders and conditions are just as important as the physical ones. For those of you out there who do not want to be on prescription medications, please know that there is another way: the old ways. A cup of Valerian Root and lemon balm tea can seem a bit more pleasant than prescription pills (and the side effects that so often come along with them).
*FUN FACT* The Passion Flower not only produces beautiful flowers but most of the species produce a small tasty fruit, called passion fruit. They’re easy to grow, beautiful to look at, and make a tasty snack.
