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Stress Remedies

| Modified on Mar 04, 2026
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The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Limit Caffeine
Posted by Stetephane (United kingdom) on 03/04/2026
 ★★★★★

I've also noticed that caffeine can sometimes make stress or anxiety symptoms worse, especially during periods of high stress or poor sleep. When I reduced coffee and switched to lower-caffeine drinks, I felt less jittery and more balanced during the day.

One option I discovered is hojicha, a roasted Japanese green tea that naturally contains much less caffeine than regular green tea or coffee. Some people prefer it when they want a warm drink without the strong stimulant effect.

I came across a helpful explanation about the benefits of low-caffeine hojicha tea and why people use it as a gentler alternative:
https://www.ancientextracts.co.uk/blogs/news/hojicha-powder-low-caffeine-tea

Sometimes small changes like reducing caffeine can make a noticeable difference in stress levels.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Posted by Art (California) on 11/24/2025 2891 posts

Hi Carolyn,

In case you don't get the answer you are seeking, Ashwagandha and Melatonin have shown significant efficacy at lowering cortisol levels.

This new study (October, 2025) illustrates how Ashwagandha Root Extract significantly lowered cortisol levels in this 12 month human study :

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.70096

Here is a relevant quote from the study :

' Serum cortisol levels decreased significantly (p < 0.001), while lipid profile and plasma glucose levels remained unaffected. '

In the following new study (November, 2025) in children, it was shown that oral melatonin significantly lowered cortisol levels also :

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41201777/

Here is a relevant quote from the study :

' Salivary cortisol levels also decreased significantly in the N₂O (p < 0.001, d = 0.91 [95% CI: 0.70-1.12]) and melatonin groups (p < 0.001, d = 0.74 [95% CI: 0.54-0.94]), whilst changes in the control group were nonsignificant (p = 0.48). '

Art

Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Posted by Carolyn (TEXAS) on 11/24/2025

I am suffering from high cortisol due to lifelong stress. I was told that vagus nerve stimulation would be helpful. Has anybody tried the Pulsetto or other vagus nerve stimulation devices and has it helped?

Ginseng
Posted by Paula (IL) on 04/11/2025

What kind of ginseng works for stress??

Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha
Posted by Bowtieman (Richmond, Virginia ) on 10/17/2022

I can use my blood pressure lower.. Did you take it in the am or evening… Thanks…

Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha
Posted by WENDY (OH) on 03/20/2022

Did it cause your any GI upset? IE Diarrhea etc.

Wim Hof Breathing Method
Posted by Suzy (Abbotsford) on 10/10/2021
 ★★★★★

Wim Hof Breathing Technique will immediately reduce stress and anxiety and is free, found online and only takes minutes With zero negative side effects.

EC: The Wim Hof breathing technique is as follows:

Sitting in a comfortable place, take 30-40 quick, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Then, take a deep breath and exhale; hold until you need to breathe in. Inhale again, as deep as you can, and hold it for 10 seconds. Repeat as many times as you like.

More details here: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/breathing-exercises

Poppy Seeds
Posted by Mandandi (Gaborone, Botswana) on 02/25/2020
 ★★★★★

Those suffering from stress usually have elevated level of various stress hormones, the most well known being cortisol.

Poppy seeds have been shown to reduce cortisol levels in the body. Blend them in smoothies, bake with them or boil them and drink as tea. Be careful though, they make the body so relaxed sleep comes very easily. So they are good for insomniacs too.

Other plants that work against stress are adaptogens - rhodiola, moringa, pine pollen, ashwaganda, cacao, maca, holy basil, etc. Read up on adaptogens.

Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha
Posted by Megan (Chattahoochee) on 06/13/2018
 ★★★★★

I also take ashwagandha for stress. It helps very much but you need to be careful with it so read up on all the side effects. I bought a different brand with more potency and it lowered my blood pressure like crazy. I stopped feeling the effects after a while so I take a 2 week break from the supplement. During that time I use tryptophan.

Rhodiola
Posted by Courtney (Granite Bay, Ca) on 11/15/2015

Effexor is poison. My daughter had a terrible time coming off of it. It took her about 9 months.

We titrated similarly--very small reductions in mg's for 10-14 days at a time, then another very small reduction in mg's, etc. Towards the end, when her mg's were very low and difficult to split, we did water titration--you put the mg's that remain in a bit of water, let it dissolve, then drink half of the water and save the other half for your next dose.

Her doctor told her to come down 25 mg's at a time, then stop entirely after a couple of weeks. Ridiculous! When she followed 'doctor's orders', she felt like she was going to die. She had dreadful side-effects that landed her in the ER.

I did some research and had her titrate super-slowly, and while it took a long time, she was finally able to be FREE of it.

What a nightmare, though!

Rhodiola
Posted by Doug (Quebec) on 11/14/2015

I agree with not using Effexor. My wife finally got off it by very slowly reducing the daily amount. The following was the only way she could, without bad side effects. We actually took apart the capsule and counted the little balls. The first week we took out 5 percent and the following week another 5. After many months she was able to drop it all together. Hope this helps someone.

Rhodiola
Posted by Steve (Leicester, United Kingdom) on 09/04/2013
 ★★★★★

I have been suffering with anxiety since 2008. With Panic attacks, brain fogs, mind blanks, dizziness, tight chest, occasional palpitations, a couple of fainting sessions at the gym as well as after not eating all day- paramedic call outs and several trips to A&E and my Doctors.

The trouble is emotional stress through working in sales and in call centre/cold calling positions, coupled with moving house 8 times since then, money worries due to time off work and a small amount of debt. Not to mention relationship up heaval and my parents domestics.

I've had several tests including but not limited to blood tests to check my thyroids, hormonal levels, my heart function on a stress test, a bubble test and a Echocardiogram. - The only thing thats been found is that I have Gilberts Syndrome and a small hole in my heart (pfo). Neither of which are life threatening.

I still get some symtoms but I have found some assurance having the echocardiogram recently. It also helps if I eat cruciferous vegetables and a balance diet with omega 3 via hemp oil intake and fish. However stress often creaps up if I have too much going on in and outside work. So Ive had mind blanks, headaches, almost double vision, dizziness, General anxiety, being tense and having back pain even this month.

I tried L-Tyrptophan but it was only very mildly helping. Since then I have come accross Rhodiola. I have the Higher Nature Stress relief version. I have to say its been incredible alongside light excercise and weights. My mind is clearer, the dizziness is 10 times better and in the bedroom I dont feel as anxious. Im going to keep on with these but I seriously would recommend this to anyone with anxiety or stress related issues.

Stress Remedies
Posted by Jan (Chicago, Il) on 08/11/2013

Trying to find a cure for chronic T.E. and hair loss so I need to find a better way to deal with the major, continual stress I live with.

EC: For those interested in learning more about this condition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telogen_effluvium

Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha
Posted by Galaxy (Boston, Ma, Usa) on 05/20/2013

Additional note about ashwagandha; It did take three or four days for me to notice a much improved over all sense of well being. For more acute stress situations I add chamomile tea, but for long term overall stress reduction Ashwagandha has made an incredible difference. I wish I had known about this decades ago.

Ayurvedic Herb Ashwagandha
Posted by Galaxy (Boston, Ma, Usa) on 05/19/2013
 ★★★★★

I have found that one 450 mg capsule of Ashwagandha at bedtime helps to lower my overall stress level A LOT. My friend prefers to take one or two capsules in the morning. It is an "adaptogen" herb that helps to even out cortisol levels, and it really works for us.

Dietary Suggestions for Stress
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, Usa) on 12/20/2012

Hi Everyone, I am posting this because it's relevant to the holidays. It is an audio interview of David Wolfe speaking on foods and ways to help reduce stress. He's also speaking on reducing cortisol in our bodies. It is full of valuable information and what is causing stress.

http://theawareshow.com/s8/offer/wolfe#Replay

I hope you take the opportunity to hear what he has to say. I am always amazed at how I learn something new every time I hear him! Best to everyone, Lisa

Supplements
Posted by Sara (Sacramento, Ca, Usa) on 11/03/2011

Dear Earth Clinic Community,

I heard about Sensoril yesterday and do know much about it. It is supposed to be good for everyday stress and fatigue. I want to try it, but I want to know if anyone had any luck while trying this. I suggest if they open a new for this herb. Thanks and God bless you all.

B Vitamins
Posted by Ann (Bastrop, Texas, Usa) on 07/29/2011

I ditto this post about the B-50 vitamin complex keeping the hair from turning gray. I am almost 63, and have been taking a stress formula B-complex regularly (1 or 2 caps a day at breakfast and/or lunch) since 1975. Have endured LOTS of stress! I have a little bit of silver around my temples, but the overall affect is healthy chestnut brown. Too bad it didn't prevent wrinkles!!!

EarthClinic has been my favorite website since my strep throuat was cured overnight with ACV and a pinch of cayenne in warm water (gargled) in 2008. A unique and valuable service!

Information
Posted by Rob (Manhattan, Ny) on 05/30/2011

informative interview with Dr. Maté on the stress disease connection and other fascinating info...

http://www.democracynow.org/2011/5/30/dr_gabor_mat_on_the_stress

B Vitamins
Posted by Coco (Teaneck, Nj) on 05/13/2011
 ★★★★★

This is for Connie from Salt Lake-Utah. Thanks so very much for all your help and info. It is about a month now , I started with liquid B complex made as a live culture. The progress was minimum and I was sceptical... But after a month O'''h Dear Got what a difference. Today I saw my dentist an unpleasant guy who is just conveniently close to my home. Normally I would sweat and shake like a Jello. Today for the first tome in years I was totally calm. AMAZING!!!!! It looks really like my nerves needed this protection, so I am going continue.. 20 drops at the morning and 20 at the afternoon. Thanks Connie again for your advice....

Dhea
Posted by Seaangel (Colorado Springs, Co) on 05/11/2010
 ★★★☆☆

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Hi Ted, I took your advice a couple of months ago regarding the dhea during a period when I was under high duress. it was amazing how it turned me around, un fortunately now i had to stop due to a horrible breakout in acne, i cut my dosage down to 25mg a couple of times a week, but ended up having to stop still. Would keto dhea have the same effect (as far as acne) or would it be the solution?

I have been a user of the ACV and VCO for a long time, so ive tried everything to pinpoint the acne probblem, including starting and stopping dhea. thank you, have a blessed day!!

Meditation
Posted by Tim (Berkeley, Ca) on 10/18/2009
 ★★★★★

Stress Remedies - Meditation

The best way for me to reduce my daily mental and emotional stress is to meditate. It is not as easy as taking a pill but it is more effective in the long run. There are many different styles of meditation but the basic theme is that you sit down and calm your mind, slowing down or stopping the stressful thoughts that you don't even realize are zipping through your mind.

Here is a good article to give you a brief overview.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/HQ01070

I would recommend that you also go to youtube.com and do a search for "meditation" and watch some different videos to get a sense of what it is all about. You might also want to go to the library and get some books on meditation or find a local meditation group where you can practice and learn from others. Don't expect overnight results, as a matter of fact it will probably take you about 10 sessions before you start to get some results, but hang in there because it is worth it.

Laughter Is...
Posted by Hope (Sacramento, Ca) on 10/15/2009

Thank you Dierdre - It made my day - pure Delight!

EC: Glad you guys enjoyed it!!

Laughter Is...
Posted by Lisa (Thousand Oaks, Ca, USA) on 10/15/2009

So, I called everyone over as I began this and could see it was the metro of France- at least it appeared to be. Paris is one of our all time favorite places and we all gave a collective sigh to see it. Well, we watched and then the laughing became infectious here as well as in that metro car! What fun and a good laugh! Laughing definitely lifts the spirits...

Laughter Is...
Posted by T (Maryland, Usa) on 10/15/2009

Thank you for sharing this - absolutely brilliant! It says so much, yet without a word. Nice to have a good laugh, too (you really can't help yourself!). Loved it!

Laughter Is...
Posted by Deirdre (Earth Clinic) on 10/15/2009

You should have heard our household last night when we watched this fantastic short movie called Bodhisattva in metro. Snicker, snicker, ha ha ho ho hee HEEEE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdQnuqFlD7U

Enjoy!

Multiple Remedies
Posted by Sheila (Toronto, On, Canada) on 09/26/2009

Thanks very much for the advice. I find it very helpful.

Take care,
Sheila.


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