We've heard a lot about cortisol: whether it's good, whether it's bad, whether it needs to be lowered; in short, it's a river of information and we don't always know if it's true or not.
First we need to understand what cortisol is. Cortisol is a hormone produced by our adrenal glands (which are above our kidneys) when our body is stressed. It plays a role in our metabolism, the immune system, and helps increase our blood glucose levels (which helps us have more energy to move, or run, in case of emergency).
It's absolutely essential for our bodies to function properly, especially when you really need to move to survive. But the problem is that our modern city lifestyle keeps us in a state of stress far more than normal or desirable, and this can disrupt our sleep cycle, metabolism, immune system, and much more, throwing our overall well-being off balance.
Obviously, serious disorders of this hormone must be treated with medication and a specialist, but if that's not your case, I invite you to incorporate into your daily routine the consumption of herbal teas containing the following ingredients, as they will naturally help to "lower stress" and therefore bring cortisol levels down to appropriate levels:
- Melissa (Melissa officinalis): This herb, also known as "lemon balm," has been proven in scientific studies to be effective in reducing anxiety, improving negative moods, and promoting a sense of calm (among other benefits) thanks to rosmarinic acid, also present in mint, rosemary, and sage.
- Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): This flower, so common for making infusions in our country and known for its digestive effect, is also a great ally in reducing anxiety and stress. It is mildly sedative thanks to a compound called epigenin, which induces drowsiness when it binds to GABA receptors in our brain, making it ideal for "calming our nerves" and helping us return to our calm.
- Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): The effectiveness of this root in "helping us sleep" is widely known due to its sedative effect, and this is thanks to the valerenic and valerenol acids (compounds present in the plant) that act on the body's GABA receptors.
GABA (GABA-aminobutyric acid) is a chemical messenger that helps regulate nerve impulses. Increased GABA levels decrease brain activity, thus promoting relaxation, reducing stress and anxiety, and contributing to improved mood.
The downside of this root is its unpleasant smell, thanks to the valepotriates it contains. However, these compounds seem to have anxiolytic and antidepressant effects on the body. That's why we usually find it in capsules and not fresh. The good news is that at EURO TE we've developed an herbal tea containing it that doesn't taste bad!
- Blue butterfly or Bluebell (Clitoria ternatea): This flower from Thailand, in addition to turning your infusion a beautiful blue color, has as its main property being "nootropic" ( in this article I share much more information about it) and this helps our brain to function or communicate better, helping us to lower anxiety and therefore cortisol.
- Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): We've all used lavender essential oil at some point to soothe ourselves with its rich aroma. This plant family contains linalool, believed to be the compound that helps reduce restlessness and stress; its anxiolytic effects are well-known.
- Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis): Aspalathin, an antioxidant exclusive to this plant, has been studied for several effects (if you want to know more, I invite you to read these articles that delve into its various benefits: Rooibos: with unique antioxidants , Rooibos: rich in minerals , Rooibos: against colic and reflux , Rooibos: helps the respiratory system ) including being anxiolytic and helping us relax.
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): This plant, which as its name suggests brings us "peace," is used to treat nervousness and anxiety, as well as headaches. It is believed that its flavonoids vitexin, isovitexin, apigenin, and chrysin are responsible for these effects by increasing GABA levels (similar to what happens in the case of valerian).
- Other plants that can help you manage cortisol healthily, and which we do not currently carry at EURO TE, are the adaptogens Rhodiola, Tulsi and Ashgawanda.
In addition to drinking these infusions, I recommend meditating while drinking them; this will help your brain relax even more and allow you to have a moment of peace and tranquility all to yourself.
There are many other practices that help lower cortisol, such as exercise, mindfulness, play or leisure, personal connections, etc.
I'm sharing with you a list of EURO TE herbal teas that contain one or more of the herbs I just mentioned. I hope you find the peace you need in every cup of herbal tea you prepare.
- Lucky Rabbit
- Quiet Night
- Relax
- Chamomile Lavender
- Blue Pillow
- Fresh Pillow
- Zero Stress
- Honey Bee
- Blue Life EURO TE line: Teas and herbal infusions with Blue Butterfly or Blue Bellflower
- Lavender Flower
- Lavender Powder
- EURO TE Rooibos Collection
Olivia Medina
Tea Master, EURO TE
