Anger often occurs when we resist change, when someone disappoints us, or when our expectations are unmet. In Asian medicine, anger is characterized as Liver Fire Rising. Anger stimulates a contraction of chi (energy) that causes stress to the liver. Anger can cause shallow inhalation and strong panting exhalation, dizziness, contribute to high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, tight shoulders, stiff upper back, jaw tightness, eye problems, increased hydrochloric acid production, and ulcers. But what is more dangerous than the experience of anger is the repression of it. Pent up angry feelings can be a factor in hemorrhoids, migraine headaches, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease. Here’s how to calm down now by safely defusing anger.
CALMING SUPPLEMENTS
According to traditional folklore, herbs that help cool the liver and thus soothe anger include blessed thistle, dandelion root, licorice root, oat straw, and skullcap. Take them as a tea two to three times a day.
Along with behavior counseling, the amino acid 5-HTP (5-hydroxtryptophan) can help curb anger and violence by elevating serotonin levels. Take 50 mg twice daily.
A good daily supplement of calcium (1,000 mg) and magnesium (500 mg) helps to quell an angry countenance by nourishing the nerves and relaxing the muscles.
Cures from Grandma’s Kitchen
What you eat can change how you feel. So try eating yogurt, which is high in calming calcium, green, leafy vegetables provide nerve-nourishing magnesium. Lettuce also helps to calm anxiety, being high in the calming alkaloid lactucin. Include whole grains such as buckwheat, millet, quinoa, and wild rice and veggies such as sweet potatoes and winter squash. These will help keep your blood sugar on an even keel. Avoid stimulants like caffeine, sugar, and fruit juice that rev you up and put your body into panic-alert.
CALMING FOODS
Foods that benefit the liver and thus mellow the emotion of anger include artichokes, barley, berries, daikon radish, dandelion greens, green leafy vegetables, lentils, mung beans, rye, and sour green apples. Dandelion root tea helps to cleanse emotions of anger stored in the liver, according to traditional folklore.
CALMING ESSENTIAL OILS AND FLOWER ESSENCES
Essential oils that can be used to diffuse anger include basil, cardamom, chamomile, coriander, frankincense, geranium, hyssop, jasmine, lavender, lemon balm, lotus, marjoram, neroli, pine, rose, and ylang-ylang. Essential oils can be used as inhalations, in the bath, or diluted and used in massage. (For guidelines, see the section “Aromatherapy Preparations” on page 23.)
Flower essences are made by soaking flowers in spring water. Though subtle, they can be effective in helping to balance the emotional body. To learn more about flower essences, read any of the books about Bach Flower Remedies. Placing four drops of the following flower essences on or under your tongue or in a glass of water is also recommended:
• Cherry plum: For those prone to temper tantrums
• Heather: For those easily irritated
• Holly: For jealousy and sibling rivalry
• Impatience: To help you be more patient
• Walnut: For those going through big life changes
SOOTHING PRACTICES THAT DIFFUSE ANGER
In a journal, make a list of what aspects of the anger you are accountable for. Focus on what you can do about it. Avoid blaming.
It has been said that “art is toxic discharge.” So get out there and paint, write, create music, or find some way to express yourself and contribute to your own therapy.
Some people say that anger makes them “see red.” Try counting to 10 while you visualize the color blue. There may be some occasions where counting to 100 is what is takes.
Learn what triggers your anger and try to avoid those situations. Consider writing up a disaster scale and rating the things that make you angry from one to ten. You may find that some of them are not as important. Consider humor a more valuable ally than profanity.
In dealing with anger, it helps to affirm that you are angry. Be clear about what it is that is really bothering you. Take a breather and then discuss the conflict. Without attacking, let your feelings be known. Avoid statements like “you always” or “you never.” Listen to what the other person has to say and do your best to understand. If you need to, give yourself a “cooling off” period first. Finally, be willing to forgive!
Skip This!
Excess garlic and onions can aggravate the emotion of anger. Coffee and sugar can also make one more likely to fly off the handle. Be aware that allergens such as gluten, corn, and soy may cause inflammation, a sense of unease, and anger in some people.
This Dealing With Anger article is taken from :
The Country Almanac of Home Remedies - Brigitte Mars
