What herbal ingredients can relieve stress？

There are many stressors in daily life, which affect the quality of life as well as interpersonal relationships.
Economic uncertainty is an important source of stress. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), 83 percent of American adults cite inflation as a stressor, with 57 percent saying that having enough money to cover expenses is their main source of financial stress right now. In the same survey, 27 percent of adults said the stress they experienced made it impossible for them to function, including 46 percent under the age of 35. Seventy-six percent even said their stress had affected their health, causing headaches (38 percent), fatigue (35 percent), nervousness or anxiety (34 percent) and/or feeling depressed or sad (33 percent).

What herbal supplements can relieve stress?
When it comes to coping with stress, plants offer diverse ingredient solutions, and market research shows that consumers are actively buying herbal supplements. According to HerbalGram's herbal market report, citing data from NBJ, retail sales of herbal supplements totaled approximately $12.35 billion in 2021, a 9.7 percent increase over the previous year's total sales.

Ashwagandha

The study found that in both animal and human trials, the plant significantly reduced biomarkers and symptoms of stress. This herb can relieve stress by attenuating the increase in cortisol and corticosterone. These two components are the main stress hormones in humans and rodents and are elevated during stress and play, respectively. It may also relieve stress by regulating the immune system. Animal models have shown that the plant may stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, lowering immune and inflammatory biomarkers that increase in response to stress stimuli.

Bacopa monnieri
Another promising adaptogen herb that may provide support for stress and mood is Bacopa monnieri. This herb may be more associated with cognitive health, but there is growing evidence that it may also benefit stress and mood. According to SPINS, in the 52 weeks leading up to October 30, 2022, pseudopurslane ranked among the top selling herbs in the cognitive health category, both in natural channels and mainstream multi-channels, with sales up 20% and 10.6%, respectively, compared to the previous year. Preclinical studies suggest that purslane may be neuroprotective.

Rhodiola rosea
As an adaptogen herb, Rhodiola rosea is gaining increasing attention in the sports nutrition category, where it can support and restore the body's endurance.

Saffron
Another promising stress-supporting ingredient is saffron extract, which is made from the dried stigma of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), a perennial herb in the iris family. A recent randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel group design study found that a proprietary saffron extract was able to reduce subclinical depressive symptoms and increase resistance to stress