Page 11 - WholeLifeWoman

WHY AM I ALWAYS HUNGRY? REASON # 1 HIGH CORTISOL 15

with a low dose of valerian root extract and L-theanine for an even more relaxing
effect. I fall asleep faster with chamomile than I do with most sleep aids, plus it

doesn’t leave me groggy in the morning. You can also drink chamomile during
the day if stress is high.

One evening in Ireland, before I knew much about nutrition, I happened to
drink some strong chamomile tea. They have great European herbal teas there,

very potent. I guess I’d been stressed. Living in a country that’s not your own can
do that, no matter how much you love it.

I was just watching TV, some American sitcom. I got so relaxed and started
laughing so hard, I literally fell off the couch, drunk on that fabulous feeling of
being stress free. It was such a release.

Chamomile does what it’s supposed to do. It lowers stress – from the

inside out. But that’s how it is with the best solutions. They don’t have to be
complicated or expensive. They just have to be effective and healthy. Speaking of
healthy, here are a few situations where chamomile should be avoided:

s During pregnancy (chance of uterine stimulation)

s While taking cyclosporin or blood thinners, or if a person has a
bleeding disorder

s If you have allergies to plants in the same family – daisy, ragweed,
aster, chrysanthemum, marigold

Last week a Chinese friend, Li Xuan, showed me a tiny yellow box with a clear

round window. Inside, I saw that it held a single chamomile flower—good for
one cup. Then she made the tea. The flower floated up to the top of my glass and
spread itself out into its full original shape—a big beautiful blossom—floating in
my tea.

All our days deserve those moments. Energy doesn’t always come from
stimulation. Sometimes it comes from a dose of real calm. And since cortisol
goes down at the same time, it’s just about perfect. Combine chamomile with

magnesium spray and watch the world go by. Let go and let yourself be.