If you’ve struggled to keep your center while maintaining a sense of peace lately, you are not alone.

According to polls, Americans’ stress levels have risen considerably in 2022 due to the pandemic, rising inflation, foreign conflicts, politics, climate, and the economy.

It is no exaggeration to say we are living in challenging and unprecedented times.

However, during times like these, we must be especially proactive in protecting ourselves from the effects of chronic stress.

In addition to practicing good mental and emotional hygiene, self-care, and self-compassion, herbs can be unexpected allies for restoring that sense of peace and tranquility we all crave.

The following are our top 5 picks for herbs for peace and tranquility.

5 Herbs for Peace and Tranquility

Ancient texts reveal that human beings have always turned to native plants to support, calm, and protect them during times of uncertainty and transition.

In Ayurveda, for example, herbs like Tulsi (aka Holy Basil) are used to provide clarity and peace of mind. And having a Neem tree on one’s property is considered a symbol of protection and good fortune.

In Native American culture, sage is considered a sacred herb with purifying properties that help dispel negative energy and spirits.

The following are five easy-to-find and affordable herbs to help balance your stress response and restore a lasting sense of peace and tranquility. 

#1: Chamomile

Chamomile is one of the most common herbs in “calming” teas. It can also grow wild on roadsides, fields, or even between sidewalk cracks.

Chamomile’s sweet fragrance, resiliency, and adaptive nature speak to its herbal properties. 

Research has shown it is effective for: 

• Promoting calmness
• Reducing occasional anxiety
• Supporting healthy sleep 
• Soothing minor skin irritations 
• Supporting a healthy stress response that results in optimal mental and emotional well-being.

Chamomile’s peace-giving benefits can be explored through various senses, including: 

• Taste—in teas like our Tulsi Honey Chamomile, recipes, or tinctures.
• Sight—spend some time gazing at a patch of chamomile and appreciate its gentle beauty and resilient nature.
• Touch—pick a few Chamomile flowers or grab a handful of dried flowers, hold it to your heart and see if you can tap into its calming energy.
• Smell—Chamomile essential oil is in a class all its own and works as an instant calmer. Always look for only 100% pure, organic/wildcrafted essential oils. These are wonderful to use when you cannot sit down to make a cup of tea, take a tincture, etc.

#2: Rose

Few of us haven’t taken solace in the timeless beauty and soothing scent of roses. 

Rose is considered a symbol of love worldwide and is used in many traditional ceremonies. Its aroma is a most sacred scent, which is attributed to its calming and comforting effects.

Most of the research on roses is centered on their essential oils, which have been shown to have a relaxing effect on humans by decreasing autonomic nervous arousal. 

In other words: it brings down our stress levels. Subjects in this particular study reported feeling more relaxed, calm, and less alert than those in the control group.

Its believed to work by stimulating the olfactory nerve. This nerve is one of twelve cranial nerves which resides in the nasal passages and sends messages to the brain.

Rose petals can also be taken as a tea, such as our Tulsi Sweet Rose tea, or used in recipes and beverages. 

As always, look for organic Rose petals and essential oils, as flowers are often heavily sprayed with pesticides, fungicides, etc.

 #3: Tulsi 

Also known as Holy Basil and “The Incomparable One” in Sanskrit, Tulsi is considered a sacred plant.

As one of the most revered Ayurvedic herbs, it has many uses and benefits, including supporting immunity, kidney function, digestion, skin health, inflammatory response, the heart, and much more.

However, it is Tulsi’s adaptogenic nature that makes it helpful for promoting peace and tranquility. Adaptogens are a class of herbs that help the body adapt to stress by supporting adrenal health.

Per a study published in the Nepal Medical College Journal, Tulsi has also shown promising benefits for generalized anxiety disorder. 

At Organic India, Tulsi is our flagship herb and is available in a wide variety of teas and capsules. 

We also highly recommend growing your own Tulsi (which is very easy, even in a pot). The scent and energy of the plant are incredible for grounding and uplifting the spirit. Fresh Tulsi is also lovely infused into cold drinks or added to your favorite recipes.

To learn more about Tulsi, check out: What Is Tulsi? All About Holy Basil.

 #4: Gotu Kola

Gotu Kola, also known as the herb of longevity, has a long tradition of use as a brain, nervous system, and mood-supportive herb. It’s also been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda for depression, anxiety, and other mental/emotional imbalances.

Like Tulsi, it is an adaptogen that helps balance our body’s stress response and increase resiliency during trying times.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology revealed that Gotu Kola has anxiolytic activity. This allows it to bind to cholecystokinin (CCK) receptors.

CCK receptors have been shown to play a role in the cause of fear and anxiety. Thus, plants that can bind to them can have a positive effect on those who suffer.

 #5: Lemongrass

Lemongrass, also known as citronella, is commonly used throughout Asia as a bug repellant, a culinary spice, and as a tea to support digestive health, promote restful sleep, tame tension, soothe menstrual cramps, and support immunity.

Its scent is also known to have a calming and cleansing effect and can be found in many essential oil blends.

Think of it as Asia’s Chamomile—well-known for its calming and stress-relieving properties.

Research has shown that, as Gotu Kola mentioned above, Lemongrass’s essential oil has anxiolytic-like effects that appear to support a normal stress response in mice.

Peace for All

In Ayurveda and other herbal and culinary traditions, it is believed that the intention with which the plants are grown, harvested, and prepared plays a role in their effectiveness and ability to nourish.

In other words, when herbs are grown and harvested with peace, love, and joy, that is transmitted energetically. 

At Organic India, we take this traditional wisdom seriously. This is why we’ve been dedicated to regenerative farming, ethical land stewardship, fair pay, and farming partnerships since our inception.

Plus, our organic, non-GMO herbs are minimally processed to maintain herbal potency and prana. 

We do not add any fillers, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives to our products. And all our herbs are air-dried in the sun or shade and processed in our certified organic LEED facilities.

In short, our herbs are held in a sacred space of peace, appreciation, and respect from seed to bottle. 

We hope you enjoy this peaceful energy and intention as you sip our organic teas, take our capsules, and create your own concoctions with our powders and bulk herbs.

Peace and prosperity to all!