Herbs and Flowers for Stress, Insomnia and Anxiety

Herbs and Flowers for Stress, Insomnia and Anxiety

Juliette van der Meer

A cuppa tea is a great way to destress and get in a few moments of calm, and there are specific flowers and herbs which target bodily ails, stress and tension. We did some digging to find what the top flowers and herbs for anxiety, stress, restless minds and insomnia are and here are our top four!

Passionflower for Restlessnes

The king of herbs for anxiety, insomnia and calming the mind! Take it when you are "tired but wired" and can't shut down your brain when trying to sleep. Passion flower increases the brain's GABA production, the main neurotransmitter for calmness. GABA assists with pain, restless legs, ADHD, anxiety, tension and digestion to name a few.

Make a soothing tea by steeping the flowers in hot water until your desired strength is achieved. You can take passion flower at any time of the day or night, long-term; it is safe and non-addictive.

Valerian root for Insomnia

Valerian is well known for its sleep-inducing properties. Taken in small doses, it can improve ADHD and ADD. It can also help with muscle tension and pain. It has a powerful taste and smell, so don't make your tea too strong! Take it at night before bed as it is deep-sleep inducing.

Chamomile for Calming

Chamomile is one of my favorite teas to make before bed. It has a pleasant taste and aroma and is well known for calming body and mind. It has nerve support properties, reducing tension, making it easier to focus or sleep. Chamomile is so gentle, it can be given to children to sooth restlessness, irritability and colic. Brew in hot water until reaching your desired strength. I recycle the flowers or leftover tea as a skin cleanser and toner before bed.

Skullcap for Tension

Skullcap is wonderful for muscle tension, anxiety, tension headaches and regulating sleep. It soothes the nervous system, can help with panic attacks and even detoxifies. Steep in hot water to make a tea and serve in half-cups every few hours.

How to use these herbs

All our dried herbs and flowers can be made into tea by simply steeping in hot water for a few moments. There is something soothing, I find, in the very motions of making tea the old fashioned way: pouring water over flowers, waiting while it steeps, straining and finally enjoying the sips of your labour. I hope this inspires you to go make a calming pot of tea!

1 2

Natural Products

Passionflower Herb Cut (Passiflora incarnata) Dried - 75g

R 89.00
R 89.00
Liquid error (snippets/price line 157): divided by 0 Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
View full details

Adaptogens

1 4
View all

Related Reads

1

Juliette van der Meer

Fascinated with all things Nature, Science, Chemistry and Cosmetic Formulation; slave to four cats; my sweet tooth fuels my sweet nature.

I like to constantly learn new things. I also love crime series, which is totally not a red flag :)

I graduated from Rhodes University with a Degree in Geology but later switched to Cosmetic Science and haven't looked back - proof that flipping your life around can lead to much happiness.

BSc Hons, Adv. Dip. Cosmetic Science


Back to the Essentially Natural blog

Leave a comment.

Kindly note that comments require approval before being published.

Disclaimers

We love sharing DIY recipes, natural tips, and wellness inspiration with you! The content on the Essentially Natural Blog is here to inform and inspire, but it’s important to keep the following in mind as you explore:

Product Use & Medical Guidance

Unless specifically stated otherwise, our products and recipes are intended for external use only. Always follow usage instructions carefully, use ingredients mindfully, and patch test first whenever trying an ingredient/formulation for the first time. The content on our blog is shared for informational and educational purposes and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication, or managing a health condition, please consult a qualified healthcare provider before using new ingredients or remedies.

Results May Vary

Natural ingredients can do wonderful things—but they’re not one-size-fits-all. What works beautifully for one person may not have the same effect for another. Your skin type, health, and lifestyle all play a role in how your body responds, so please keep that in mind. We also can’t guarantee the shelf life or stability of DIY formulations. For longer-term storage or commercial use, professional testing is always recommended

Content Accuracy

We put a lot of love and effort into making sure our content is accurate and up to date. That said, things change, and honest mistakes can happen. Please use your own good judgment and cross-check information if needed.

Third-Party Content

From time to time, we may share advice, resources, or links from third parties we trust. While we select these thoughtfully, we can’t take responsibility for their accuracy or practices—so please explore with care.

Copyright & Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise noted, all content, images, and recipes on this blog are the property of Essentially Natural. We’re always happy when our community shares and spreads the word—just please do so responsibly and with proper credit.

If you’d like more information on any ingredient or topic, feel free to reach out to us—we’re always happy to help. Alternatively, click here to view our full Terms of Service.


Thank you for being part of our natural DIY formulation community ♡