What’s is the difference between Stress and Anxiety? This is an excellent question. Firstly, both are emotional responses, but stress is typically caused by an external trigger, such as workload or deadlines, or relationship difficulties. Symptoms of stress are both mental and physical and include irritability, anger, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping. Stress will dissipate once the situation or event that is causing it is over.

Anxiety on the other hand is the most common of mental health conditions in Australia, affecting 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men as according to a 2016 BUPA report. That was pre-The VID! Anxiety can make it difficult for you to function in a normal way. So it can affect your sleep, affect your ability to work, and affect your relationships at home because you don’t perform at a level that is expected to be normal. Someone experiencing anxiety can’t easily control these feelings and may not always know why they’re anxious. Anxiety can be very distressing for the sufferer.

WHAT’S IN IT AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

When Nature's Help created this product, they spoke to lots of women about how they managed their own levels of stress and anxiety. They were pleasantly surprised by the number of women who were not in favour of taking unnecessary medication. Their dedication to researching options and taking control of their bodies was very empowering.

Motherwort has a long affinity with the heart. Its Latin name “Leonurus Cardiaca” means “Lion’s Heart”, with cardiaca referencing this central organ. Nicholas Culpeper, who in 1652 wrote one of the first books on herb lore, The Complete Herbal, said "There is no better herb to take melancholy vapours from the heart, to strengthen it, and make a merry, cheerful, blithe soul as this herb, it makes women joyful mothers of children, and settles their wombs as they should be, therefore we call it Motherwort”. In 1869 William Cook, a prominent physiomedicalist wrote “As a tonic for nervousness and sufferings peculiar to women, and habitual restlessness, it is an agent deserving of the first consideration… The profession will find in it an antispasmodic tonic of the first order”. We couldn’t agree more.

St John’s Wort has many health benefits but first, a fun fact. St John's wort owes its name to the fact that it flowers at the time of the summer solstice on or around St John’s Day which is 24 June. It has been used to treat nervous conditions since ancient Greek times. Its main active ingredients of hypericin and hyperforin are responsible for its calming activity. Today it is widely recommended and praised for properties that support a healthy female hormonal balance during menopause. It’s a popular nerve tonic that calms the mind and relieves the hot flushes associated with mild anxiety.

Lavender has been documented for its therapeutic uses and properties for over 2500 years. Ancient Egyptians used it in mummification and perfume and during the Great Plague in London in the 17th century it was used in the hope it would ward off the disease. Studies show that lavender helps reduce the mild anxiety, excess nervous tension, and mood swings associated with menopause by reducing the body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol. Lavender also has another charming quality in that is used for calming an upset stomach and reducing nervous indigestion.

Lastly, we have added Passionflower. When you google Passionflower, you’ll find it’s famous for its many health and psychological benefits. We have added it for its ability to reduce symptoms of mild anxiety and nervous tension and provide relief for those who suffer from disturbed or restless sleep and nervous indigestion. But the bonus feature of the Passionflower is its ability to reduce mild neuralgia (pain) such as mild sciatica pain.

Another product using a fresh approach for a natural process, created for women by women. We only used 4 ingredients for the best results for you.

The Nature's Help team put this product together with an enormous amount of thought and care. We hope that for those women out there who take this product that you see relief in your symptoms. Living with stress and anxiety no matter how mild or severe is challenging. If symptoms persist though, please talk to your health professional.