When there is a lack of ease in the body, it starts to create disharmony amongst us as a whole, leading us into a spiral of a loss of connection to the pleasures of life. Stress is a feeling of emotional or physical tension that can lead to us feeling forgetful, have headaches, a lack of energy or focus, tiredness, upset stomach, substance abuse, diarrhea or constipation, even weight loss and weight gain. It can be sneaky, so sneaky that sometimes we don’t even notice that these symptoms are being caused by it because we are mostly looking out for the big reactions such as: high blood pressure, skin problems like acne or eczema, menstrual problems, anxiety, and depression. Now there are many factors that can cause us to be stressed especially with rates of living and the environmental problems that we are facing in our days. Let’s remember though, with every problem there is a solution, and when it comes to helping the body there are MANY.
One of my favorites as some of you may know is food & herbs. Food is medicine, and it is a way that can help us integrate back into our environment. Food is a reflection of nature and nature is pleasurable. She’s sensual and inviting filled with life and even death but in a way that brings even more life. She is the perfect example of ourselves. Showing us how we too can find regrowth from the things we shed and how we can be resilient, vibrant, and nourishing. I’ve decided to share with you all something that I absolutely love and find extremely affective. When I feel stressed, overwhelmed, and uninspired, the one thing I mostly crave is something floral and refreshing. I want something to bring me back to the feeling I get after laying in the sun next to a cooling river stream, jumping back and forth from the water to the warm rocks, letting the sun kiss my skin as I lay in fresh air that is surrounded by trees. Feeling so alive again, so inspired, and charged.
Two words, Sun Tea. Yes, you heard me right. You can leave herbs in a jar, close the lid and place it in the sun for hours and it will pull out the medicine from the plants and create a thirst-quenching, restoring tea, purely for your enjoyment. Magic in a jar I like to think. Radiating, nourishing, sun magic.
The herbs I picked for this are especially good for Stress. Lemon Grass, Rose, and Lavender. Three simple but POWERFUL herbs.
Rose, my absolute favorite, is a flower of beauty first native and discovered by the ancient civilizations of China and then spread and cultivated by the Middle East. This is a large staple in the culinary world for Middle Easters but for the Westerners, we love to use it in other ways such as teas and tinctures. It is cooling, an anti-inflammatory, helps open the heart, aids depression, grief, and is used often in times of transitions.
Lemon Grass, another wonderful herb. Native to Sri Lanka and South India but now grows in many countries around the world. The stalks are very common in Asian cooking, but to brew the lemongrass to make tea is another potent method. Studies have shown that it helps relieve anxiety, lower cholesterol, relieves bloating and can help boost red blood cell levels. Lastly, good old Lavender. Since ancient times, lavender has been used to treat many different ailments, mental and physical. Mental health issues, anxiety, depression, headaches, nausea, and even acne. Other possible benefits for the heath are: sleep improvement, reduction in blood pressure, helps combat fungus growth, and can help lessen menopausal hot flashes. All these herbs have medicine that is so large and beneficial to all that we are dealing with as a collective. Even just the simple smells of them can help sooth our minds. Together, let’s start a new trend that can be so simple but yet so effective. Coming back to natures gift to help heal our minds, bodies, and sooth our spirits.
Recipe:
16 0z. mason jar with lid
2 tbl. dried Rose
Full pinch of Lemon Grass (enough to fill the palm of the hand)
1 tbl. Lavender
16 oz. of filtered water
Place herbs in the jar and fill with water. Tighten lid on then place in the sun for at least 4 hours. Longer is best! Then strain into another jar and enjoy <3
Together we can heal. I hope this brings you joy. -Chelsea
About the Author
Chelsea Shapouri is a Lifestyle Consultant for women and an Elemental Yoga Instructor based in Santa Cruz, CA. In her work, she offers Ayurvedic lifestyle modalities, Yoga, Breath work, Meditations, and Ayurvedic Recipes. Every client and student is rare and special to her. Chelsea’s mission is to find their unique rhythm, their primal-natural state, and from there support them with techniques and recipes that are meant for their bio-individuality. Harmony for the emotional body, physical body, and mental state is the embodiment she lives by and wishes to offer. Bringing people back home to themselves with techniques they can simply do themselves is what she lives for. The art of service is the art of love and she shares what has helped her heal for the hope to help others heal. Stay connected to Chelsea and read her story through social media or her website: https://primal-harmony.com/
