Stress and anxiety are a way of life for most Americans today, but it wasn’t always like this. Among the Native Americans, anxiety was rare, in part because they derived tremendous peace and comfort from their spiritual beliefs. As a 17th-century historian observed, “They have no law suits and take little pains to acquire the goods of this life, for which we Christians torment ourselves so much.”
Life wasn’t perfect for Native Americans, of course. During times of grief, famine, or war, they experienced tremendous amounts of stress, just as people do today. The difference is that they couldn’t drive to the pharmacy to fill a prescription for the latest anxiety-soothing drug.
Fortunately, they didn’t need to, because they were well versed in herbs that calm the mind and spirit. Scientists today have found that herbs such as dandelion, valerian, hops, black cohosh, rose, and goldenseal, usually taken as a tea several times a day, have naturally sedating qualities. If time and convenience are factors, you can buy these herbs as supplements or tinctures in health food stores.
One of the best healing herbs, rose petals, can be used externally to relieve anxiety. Herbalist Ana Nez Heatherley recommends running a bath and adding fresh rose petals to the water. To complete the experience, you can indulge yourself by drinking a cup of rose petal tea and maybe even hold a rose tea compress to your forehead. It won’t be long before you’re feeling “rosy” again.
This ways to relieve anxiety article is taken from :
Healing Secrets of the Native Americans - Porter Shimer
