In the past two months, as the gravity of the COVID-19 pandemic has suddenly changed all of our lives, we’ve seen an unprecedented demand at Acupuncture Atlanta for immune support products. Understandably so, given these special circumstances. We are all looking for a little more protection against an illness that researchers are only beginning to understand more each day.
One important arena that many of us may be neglecting in this situation is our overall mental health and stress levels. Of course, there are plenty of legitimate reasons to be stressed right now: being stuck at home, uncertainty around income stability, fear of yourself and loved ones getting sick, telecommuting while suddenly managing children’s education, keeping the pantry and refrigerator stocked, and so much more.
Staying Calm
It’s undoubtedly a battle to maintain a calm and clear state of mind in these times, but in terms of staying healthy, it may also be the missing link to a strong immune system. Various studies confirm that mental and emotional stress depress key markers of immune defense, such as natural killer cells, gamma interferon, and lymphocytes 1. Chronic elevation of corticosteroids released during stress depress our overall immune response and ability to cope with mental and physical challenges in the long run.
Positive lifestyle changes can certainly help rebalance stress levels if you aren’t already doing them:
- moderate exercise
- eating less sugar and processed foods
- mind/body exercises like yoga and tai chi, meditation, and progressive relaxation exercises
can all help improve stress response and immune function.
However, with the added stress of our current state, you may find you need added help to get back in balance. For many, even with very good health habits, anxiety and stress are high, and sleep may also be significantly disrupted.
Natura’s Tranquility
This month’s featured product, Natura’s Tranquility, is a very appropriate formula for these times, or during the everyday hustle and bustle that we will all return to in the coming months. Natura’s founder and chief formulator, Donnie Yance, has an encyclopedic knowledge of traditional herbs from around the world, modern functional nutrition, and a keen sense of how to successfully blend elements of both to create effective and safe formulas.
Tranquility combines amino acids along with standardized extracts of well recognized herbal remedies from Traditional Chinese Medicine and eclectic herbal practices around the globe going back centuries. Standardized extracts are used in order to ensure clinical potency of active ingredients of each herb. The formula is delivered in vegetarian capsules, and is free of all common allergens.
Tranquility is carefully formulated in a way that supports anxiety and stress relief as well as nourishment for stress response systems in the body. While it is also designed to help with sleeplessness, it does not promote a drowsy, sedated state. Tranquility supports rebalancing the mind to a clear and relaxed state during active hours of the day, but can also be taken before bedtime.
Ingredients and Dosage
The suggested serving is two capsules daily. As always, ask your practitioner for further guidance if you have questions about advanced usage. Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients and their purpose in the formula:
- Glycine
The amino acid Glycine is a GABA precursor, and it helps block activation of excitatory neurotransmitters, having an overall relaxing effect on the nervous system. Glycine also has neuroprotective properties and plays other important roles in nerve function 2.
- Passion Flower
Originally discovered in Peru centuries ago, Passion flower has been cultivated and used around the world as a gentle sleep and anxiety aid. Tranquility uses a standardized extract with 4% active flavonoids.
- Skullcap
Skullcap is a widely used traditional herb for sleep and relaxation. Preliminary research also suggests that skullcap may enhance mood and has a carryover effect of reducing anxiety after use 3.
- Jujube Seed
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jujube is a deeply nourishing herb used to support relaxation, sleep and mental clarity. It contains unique triterpenes called jujubosides which are associated with its relaxing and restorative 2.
- Kava
Kava famously originated from the South Pacific and has been used for 3000 years to help restore the mind and body from overwork, sleeplessness and anxiety.
- Cyracos ® Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm has been used especially throughout Europe for centuries as a calming nervine herb, as well as for soothing stomach upset. It is rich in antioxidant flavonoids and other compounds, and is recognized as a medicinal tea by Germany’s Commission E for sleep and stomach issues 4.
- Suntheanine ®
Theanine, a novel amino acid found in tea, helps support mental clarity and calm awareness without sedation. It is also a precursor to calming neurotransmitter GABA. Some studies suggest that L-theanine may encourage alpha brain waves, commonly associated with a calm mental state 2.
- Saffron(Crocus Sativus) Bulb Extract
In recent studies, saffron extract has exhibited positive effects on reported symptoms of anxiety and depression. It may have an influence on serotonin production, and its active compounds called crocins appear to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective qualities 5.
- Lavender Flower Extract
Lavender extracts in various forms are hugely popular for skin care, aromatherapy, tea and more. Lavender flower extract for internal use appears to have positive effects on anxiety, pain perception, mood and overall mental status 6.
- Magnolia Bark Extract (50% Honokiol and Magnolol)
In TCM, Magnolia Bark, known as Hou Po, is traditionally prized for its many restorative properties. In addition to support for anxiety, magnolia bark extract has been used to help with adrenal function, inflammation and pain, digestive upset, and also has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties 7.
References:
1. American Psychological Association, Published on the web. Feb 23, 2006. https://www.apa.org/research/action/immune
2. Manufacturer Product Page. https://naturahealthproducts.com/tranquility.html
3. Brock,C.et al. ‘American Skullcap: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of its effect on mood in healthy volunteers’. Phytother Res. 2014 May; 28(5):692-8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23878109
4. American Botanical Council. Published on the web. 2000. http://cms.herbalgram.org/expandedE/LemonBalm.htm...
5. Davis, Mark, ND. Natural Medicine Journal. ‘Saffron Powerfully Modulates Anxiety and Depression’. Dec. 2016 Vol 8 Issue 12. https://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/journal/20...
6. Koulivand, Peir Houssein et al. ‘Lavender and the Nervous System’. Evidence Based Complement Altern Med. Published online 2013 Mar 14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612...
7.Dharmananda, Subhuti, PhD. ‘Magnolia Bark’. Published on the web March 2001. http://www.itmonline.org/arts/magnolia.htm
