Understanding David Winston's Formulas for Stress Relief

Because adaptogens are a special area of interest of mine, Herbalist & Alchemist offers a range of adaptogenic formulas to address different aspects of the condition. Delving into them in some detail seems a timely endeavor. 

Calm Adapt™ I designed this formula for high-strung people who cannot relax. The combination of herbs helps provide a serene, calm mindset, reducing agita¬tion, irritability, nervousness, and anger. It supports sleep qual¬ity, balanced mood, and mental focus.  Calming adaptogens (Ashwagandha, Reishi, Schisandra) are combined with nervines (Oat and Linden flower). Ashwagandha is an immune amphoteric and adaptogen that addresses occasional anxiety, and supports a healthy nervous system inflammatory response. Reishi is a mild adaptogen, nervine, immune amphoteric, cardiotonic and used for bad dreams, occasional sleeplessness, stress-induced conditions, and supports a healthy nervous system inflammatory response. Schisandra is distinctive in that while it is calming, it gives a person a clear, focused mind. Fresh Oat and Linden flower are two of my favorite nervines. 

Serenity Compound™ combines a mild adaptogen with four of the most effective nervines, and is useful for occasional acute stress to support mental resilience. Ingredients include the nervines Fresh Milky Oat, which helps restore the emotional foundation in people who become emotional labile and have exaggerated responses to minor problems, Skullcap, which is useful for stress-induced tremors, nervous tics, or “fly off the handle” anger. Chamomile is effective for stress-induced GI problems, occasional sleeplessness, and agitation. Linden flower addresses stress headaches and irritability. To round out these herbs I added Eleuthero, a mild non-stimulating adaptogen to decrease SAS (Sympatho-adrenal system) over reactivity and up-regulate beneficial molecular chaperones.          

Tension Relief™ contains Motherwort flowering tops, Oat milky seed, Bacopa herb, Blue Vervain flowering tops, Polygala root. This formula promotes a calm mind, and balances nervous system function. Occasional feelings of apprehension are the body’s normal response to stressful situations and are usually brief and relatively mild. This formula is for those who experience it on a more constant basis that may manifest itself in various ways such as relentless worry, irritability, insomnia, headaches, and social unease. In addition to emotional stress, fretfulness takes a physical toll on our bodies in the form of affecting blood pressure and increased production of the stress hormone cortisol. Chronically elevated cortisol lev¬els are linked to a range of health challenges. Tension Relief™ contains herbs that relieve the effects of both mental and physical stress so that we feel calmer and better able to handle challenges.

Kids Calmpound™, which balances healthy nervous system function, includes Catnip herb, Chamomile flowers, Oat milky seed, and Skullcap herb. This general nervine/sedative formula helps to calm children down and is for children who are anxious, having trouble sleeping, or have bad dreams. The herbs also have antispasmodic and mild analgesic activity which makes them useful for stress-induced stomach or headaches, bruxism, and muscle spasms. Skullcap is an excellent nervine and is indicated for stress-induced fidgeting, nervous tics, and emotional outbursts. Oat is highly nourishing and rejuvenating to the nervous system, so it supports children who are under stress and feeling anxious or irritable. Catnip and Chamomile are gentle nervines especially useful for people who internalize emotions in the gut.  

Phytocalm™ combines the sedative herbs Hops, California Poppy, and Valerian root, with nervines Skullcap flowering tops, milky Oat seed and Passionflower to promote relaxation and healthy sleep.  This formula is appropriate for men or women. This nervine/sedative formula is useful in mild to moderate cases of occasional sleeplessness, restlessness, worry, tension, and stress-induced headaches. Phytocalm™ also has antispasmodic and mild analgesic activity. It can be useful for muscle spasms, and tension headaches.

Daily Adapt™ promotes energy and helps relieve stress. This balanced adaptogenic formula is energizing without being overstimulating for most people. Well-researched adaptogens Eleuthero, Schisandra, Rhodiola, and American Ginseng are combined with the nervine fresh Oat and nootropic Gotu Kola. It is appropriate for daily use. Since adaptogens enhance HPA axis and SAS function they also reduce elevated cortisol levels. More recent research also shows they act on a cellular level upregulating chaperone molecules (heat-shock proteins, FOXO, Neuropeptide Y), which act as stress mimetics, making us more resistant to stress and its effects.

Energy Adapt™ provides support for people who feel a lack of energy or mental clarity. Stimulating Adaptogens Red Ginseng, Rhodiola and Holy Basil support the endocrine and nervous systems, as well as immune, cardiovascular, and digestive function. Nootropics Gotu Kola and Rosemary support cerebral circulation and promote memory, focus, and concentration. Mimosa tree bark is a profound mood elevator that creates a feeling of happiness and lifts spirits.  Maca, a nutritive tonic and possible adaptogen,  enhances the effects of the other herbs and, when combined with the stimulating Adaptogens Red Ginseng and Rhodiola, provides support for male and female sexual vitality.

Emotional Relief™ contains extracts of St. John’s wort flowering tops, fresh Lemon Balm, Mimosa bark, fresh Black Cohosh root, fresh Night Blooming Cereus stem, fresh Holy Basil, and Lavender flowers. St. John’s wort was found in several studies to be effective for mild to moderate low mood (Singer et al., 2011 Bratstrom, 2009). I use it for hepatic or GI based emotional issues, for people with a sour attitude, bilious¬ness, and GI dysfunction. When combined with Lemon Balm, a mild mood elevator and nervine, those who have difficulty with a change of seasons  may find support. Mimosa bark is the most effective mood elevator I have ever utilized, helping to support those with grief, sadness, and other emotional issues. Black Cohosh and Night Blooming Cereus are indicated for “gloom and doom” and for menopausal melancholy. Night Blooming Cereus is also used for old-age and heart related emotional issues. Holy Basil acts as a mood elevator, mild adaptogen, and enhances mental clarity. Lavender is used for situational sadness. 

Women’s Calmpound™ is formulated to help restore emotional balance, especially PMS-related irritability, or peri-menopausal worry. The formula includes Chaste tree, which has been shown in human studies to lessen both PMS and peri-menopausal symptoms, especially emotional ones, and the calming herbs Motherwort, Blue Vervain, Skullcap, and Pulsatilla. The Eclectic Physicians first observed that the classic combination of Motherwort, Blue Vervain, and Pulsatilla are far more effective than either one is by itself.

Grief Relief™ supports emotional balance with Hawthorn berries, flowers & leaf, Rose petals, and uplifting Mimosa bark. This is a formula that I have used in my clinical practice for many years to help to start the healing process for people who are grieving or suffering melancholia, or emotional trauma. While these herbs are no replace¬ment for therapy, they seem to help people who are “stuck” in their pain. I feel it is especially useful for people suffering from broken hearts, stagnant sadness (chronic and situational), unresolved grief, and even some types of post-traumatic stress.

Mimosa bark is a profound mood elevator used in TCM. Roses have long been associated with emotional healing. Hawthorn is commonly thought of as a cardiac support remedy, but in my experience it also helps the emotional heart as well. Researchers have found that the heart not only pumps blood, but has receptors for many hormones and neuropeptides. The long-held belief that the heart is also the “seat of emotions’ turns out to have an actual physiological basis. I use Hawthorn for stess-induced palpitations, disturbed shen, and as a calming nervine. 

Stress Support Kit: contains four best-selling herbal formulas to promote balance of every-day stress: Serenity Compound™ - support for stress*, Tension Relief™ - supports a calm mind*, Daily Adapt™ - promotes energy and balances stress*, and Phytocalm™ - promotes restful sleep*. 

Managing stress requires a multipronged approach, including healthy diet, exercise, stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga, or Tai Qi, and herbs that help the body manage heightened stress levels, which includes both adaptogens and nervines. A healthy diet, exercise, and adaptogenic herbs can all be helpful. This is particularly important today given that the connection between stress reduction and improved immune health is well established.