Understanding Adaptogens: Herbs That Help Your Body Handle Stress

Let’s face it - stress is part of life. But when it becomes chronic, it can impact everything from your mood and hormones to your sleep, digestion, and energy. If you’ve been feeling wired but tired, anxious, or simply off, you’re not alone - and your body might be asking for support.

Enter adaptogens and calming herbs - natural plant-based remedies that help the body adapt to stress, support the nervous system, and gently bring you back to balance.

While true adaptogens help regulate stress hormones like cortisol, there’s a beautiful crossover with calming, nervine herbs that support relaxation, rest, and emotional resilience. Together, these herbs work synergistically to soothe, strengthen, and support - especially important for women in their 30s, 40s, and 50s navigating busy lives and hormonal shifts.

Let’s take a closer look at five of the most loved calming herbs and how they help your body handle stress naturally.

Passionflower: Calm the Mental Chatter

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a gentle but powerful herb that works by increasing levels of GABA, a neurotransmitter that helps relax the nervous system. It’s especially helpful if you struggle with anxiety, racing thoughts, or sleeplessness related to stress (1).

Lemon Balm: Mood-Lifting and Gut-Soothing

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a beautiful lemon-scented herb from the mint family. It’s known for its uplifting, anti-anxiety effects and is also a natural digestive aid - ideal for women who feel stress in their gut. Lemon balm may help regulate mood and promote a sense of calm clarity (2).

Lavender: Aromatherapy and Beyond

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is more than just a calming scent. Taken as a supplement or tea - or used in aromatherapy - it’s been shown to reduce cortisol, promote calm, and improve sleep. Lavender also has mood-stabilising effects, making it a beautiful botanical for stress-prone days (3).

Valerian Root: Deep Nervous System Nourishment

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is often called “nature’s Valium.” It’s deeply soothing and best known for its sleep-supporting properties, but it also helps quiet the mind and ease muscular tension, making it ideal for burnout or stress-related fatigue (4).

Hops: Unexpected Stress Support

Yes, the same hops used in beer also have medicinal properties. Hops (Humulus lupulus) are calming, mildly sedating, and support restful sleep and stress relief, particularly when paired with valerian or passionflower (5).

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re juggling a busy household, shifting hormones, or a demanding career, these stress-supportive herbs can help anchor your wellness routine. They're not about numbing your experience - they’re about helping your body adapt, restore balance, and build resilience over time.

From tea rituals to gentle supplements, these herbs invite you to reconnect with calm in the most natural way.

References:

1. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics. (2011). Passionflower and GABAergic activity
   

2. Nutrients. (2021). Lemon Balm and Neurocognitive Support
   

3. Phytomedicine. (2020). Lavender and Cortisol Reduction
   

4. Sleep Medicine Reviews. (2020). Valerian Root in Sleep and Stress
   

5. Planta Medica. (2007). Hops for Anxiety and Sleep Disorders