Natural supplements for coping with stress?

**PrairieRose** · 05-28-2008, 12:23 PM

Gripey is having a stressful time at work right now. He's had some problems with it lately and we've been using Kava kava which does help but I'm wondering if there is something more effective available? Anyone have any experience with St. John's Wort and can you use both? TIA

**COUNTRYBUMPKIN** · 05-28-2008, 04:26 PM

Hi Lisa,

Natures Way makes a herbal formula that is called Ex-Stress. It has
a proprietary blend of Scullcap, Wood Betony, Black Cohosh, Hops, Valerian and Cayenne in it. Hope this helps. Lynn

**Michelle** · 05-31-2008, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by COUNTRYBUMPKIN

Hi Lisa,

Natures Way makes a herbal formula that is called Ex-Stress. It has
a proprietary blend of Scullcap, Wood Betony, Black Cohosh, Hops, Valerian and Cayenne in it. Hope this helps. Lynn

Lynn, have you tried this? If so, do you think it works? And is it safe to use with meds?

TIA

**Nishu** · 05-31-2008, 12:18 PM

There's a book called The Mood Cure that lists several supplements that might help. I followed the advice in the book and got fantastic results.

Unfortunately, I can't remember which supplements they were. =/

**PrairieRose** · 05-31-2008, 12:19 PM

You know what? I wanted to reply to this and say that I think it was actually caused by increasing the mgs. of CoQ10 that we have been taking! We upped from 30 (? I think) to 100 and it started almost immediately. When we finally pinned it down we both experimented with it and we think for sure it was that. Gave us both a jittery, nervous-y, wow I drank too much coffee feeling. It was much more pronounced for Gripey than me but since we've stopped taking it, it's completely stopped. It was causing him to almost have full blown panic attacks. Just so ya know.....he's ok now

**COUNTRYBUMPKIN** · 05-31-2008, 12:22 PM

Hi Michelle,

I purchased it a couple of months ago when my best friend passed away. I really needed something to calm my nerves. It worked very well for me. I took it again when my cat had to be put to sleep. As far as working with meds, I cannot answer that question for you. I am not on any meds myself. You would have to get your doctors approval for that. The meds I would be concerned about would be sleeping pills, anti anxiety or meds for depression. Taking this herbal blend with one any of those meds might really intensify the medications effects. So I would really check with a doctor. Lynn

**ubumartin** · 05-31-2008, 01:00 PM

Just remember that everything you take natural or otherwise has some side effects on your body. I had a friend who took St. John's Wart, she felt it helped her greatly with her stress but soon after taking it she developed red raised blotches all over her. Also, most over the counter herbal remedies are not tested and not regulated so please ask your physician and read the labels carefully.

**coffeechick** · 06-01-2008, 06:58 PM

I swear by super-B vitamins (I usually use the complete B vitamin, you can get them anywhere) and omega-3 fish oils. Both have been shown to help with mood issues. And I have plenty!

They don't make me less depressed as much as they make me more steady, and more able to cope with depression. Make sense?

Check with your doctor before you start taking any of this stuff, though. I've seen some nasty reactions. If he's a good doc, he'll guide you in the right direction.

**mom2three** · 06-02-2008, 04:07 PM

Vitamin D helps some. If you are stressed, it depletes magnesium. Does he have other symptoms of magnesium deficienncy such as trouble sleeping, palpitations, muscles and joint aches and pains, headaches, constipation?

**PrairieRose** · 06-02-2008, 04:29 PM

He had some insomnia but otherwise no. Since we've stopped the higher dosage of CoQ10 the anxious feelings have completely subsided. Thanks for your concern, everyone.