Stress

Everyone is subject to various stimuli in the environment. These stimuli elicit various responses to stress from our bodies, which serve the purpose of preparing us for changes in the environment. This is common to all lifeforms and increases the ability of the organism to survive when threatened in any way.

Stress responses can be very diverse, ranging from heightened blood-pressure and quickened heartbeat to faster respiration and changes in blood-flow.

Illnesses caused by stress

Stress is a part of everyday life. Too much stress, however, may lead to poor health. A person under prolonged or heavy stress is in danger of developing a wide range of stress-related illnesses.

Health problems arising from stress can be as varied as anxiety,  gastric ulcers, cardiovascular disease, depression and musculoskeletal disorders, to name only a few.

Herbal stress remedy

SagaVita contains plant material that increases vitality and has a calming effect. A naturally occurring mixture of so-called furanocoumarins in the Icelandic angelica herb can be useful for alleviating stress. Compounds in this mixture block the effect of enzymes MAO-A and MAO-B and help to reduce cortisol, a well-known stress hormone.

Consult your doctor before using dietary supplements for stress. Natural remedies might help, but alternative medicine does not replace regular treatment.

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References:

Anxiolytic effects.
Furanocoumarins with affinity to brain benzodiazepine receptors in vitro. Bergendorf O. et al. Phytochemistry 1997; 44: 1121-1124.

Energizer effects.
Cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibition by coumarins and furanocoumarins. Sardari S. et al. Pharmazie 1999; 54: 554-556.

Effects of various coumarins from roots of Angelica dahuria on action of adrenaline, ACTH and insulin in fat cells. Kimura Y. et al. J of Medicinal Plant Research 1982; 45: 183-187.