Sleep, Stress & Mood

Hypericum perforatum

St John's wort extract may help with mild to moderate depressive episodes, but it seriously interacts with many medicines, including the pill.

Dried Herb & Tea

Valeriana officinalis

Dry extracts of valerian root may help with mild nervous tension and sleep problems; they work gradually, so use them for 2–4 weeks.

Dried Herb & Tea

Rosa damascena

Distilled from Damask roses, one of the world's most precious essential oils. Small aromatherapy studies suggest it may help ease anxiety.

Essential Oil

Crocus sativus

The world's most expensive spice. Meta-analyses found 30 mg of saffron extract daily helped mild-to-moderate depression symptoms.

Spice

Ocimum basilicum

An aromatic culinary herb. Traditionally used for indigestion and wind; calming effects have only been seen in animal studies.

Dried Herb & Tea

Crataegus spp.

Hawthorn leaf and flower are traditionally used for palpitations linked to mild anxiety, after a doctor has ruled out serious heart disease.

Dried Herb & Tea

Humulus lupulus

Hop strobiles are traditionally used as a tea to relieve mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep, taken 30–60 minutes before bed.

Dried Herb & Tea

Rosa damascena

The fragrant water left from distilling Isparta roses. Traditionally used as a skin cleanser and toner; food-grade rose water also flavours desserts.

Floral Water

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender flower tea is traditionally used to relieve mild symptoms of stress and exhaustion and to aid sleep in adults and teenagers.

Dried Herb & Tea

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender oil is traditionally used as a bath additive to relieve mild symptoms of stress and exhaustion and to aid sleep.

Essential Oil

Melissa officinalis

Lemon balm leaf tea is traditionally used to relieve mild symptoms of stress, to aid sleep and for mild bloating and wind in adults.

Dried Herb & Tea

Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos

Linden (lime) flower tea is traditionally used to relieve symptoms of the common cold and mild symptoms of stress in adults and older children.

Dried Herb & Tea

Passiflora incarnata

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata) herb tea is traditionally used to relieve mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep.

Dried Herb & Tea

Lavandula stoechas

Spanish lavender, growing around the Mediterranean. Traditionally used for nervous tension and cough; it contains camphor and fenchone, unlike true lavender.

Dried Herb & Tea

Vanilla planifolia

The fermented fruit of an orchid. It flavours desserts; the calming effect of its scent has only been studied in small early trials.

Spice