The grind of everyday life is no joke. And if you’re feeling the pressure, you’re definitely not alone. Stress is an inevitable part of being an adult, but the good news is that there are plenty of ways to combat it. Mother Nature gives us everything we need to live a healthy life. This includes plants that help fight negative feelings like stress and anxiety. Some of these medicinal herbs are known for their calming properties, while others boost your mood and energy levels. No matter what it is you’re looking for, you can certainly find it in nature. To learn more, here are the best herbs for stress relief and how you can incorporate them into your weekly, or even daily, routine.

Lemon Balm

Not to be mistaken for the fruit, lemon balm is a cool, little plant that can ward off stress. A member of the mint family, this special herb has a light, citrusy scent. And when you mix it with water, it can be a seriously refreshing beverage, too.

How To Use

Tea: Try steeping fresh or dried lemon balm leaves in hot water to make an herbal tea. Or, if you prefer to make it cold, serve it over ice for a unique iced tea that tastes like lemonade.

Chamomile

One of the most popular herbal ingredients for relaxation, chamomile is widely used all over the world. The adorable white and yellow flower is known to have a soothing effect on humans, which can help reduce anxiety.

How To Use

• Tea: The most common way to use chamomile is by making a tea. To make it, scoop about a tablespoon of dried chamomile flowers into a cup, then fill it with hot water. Let it steep for several minutes, and enjoy.
• Bath: You can soak achy joints and muscles in a relaxing chamomile bath by adding dried chamomile flowers to warm bathwater.

Passionflower

Though not many people know about it, passionflower is another useful herb that can help treat anxiety. And because it can calm the mind, many people use it to help them relax before bed so they can fall asleep faster.

How To Use

• Tea: Drinking passionflower tea before bed is a healthy practice if you want to sleep better at night. To do it, steep the dried herb in hot water, then sip on it to help you unwind.
• Tincture: A tincture is a concentrated liquid extract that you can take kind of like medicine for a quicker effect. To make a passionflower tincture, simply add some drops to water, juice, or whatever beverage you like, then shake, and enjoy.

Pro Tip: Passionflower isn’t always available at your local grocery store. If you have difficulty finding it, try a nearby health food shop, pharmacy, or garden center instead.

Holy Basil (Tulsi)

Holy basil — a.k.a. Tulsi — is a natural substance called an adaptogen that helps manage stress. It’s great for promoting mental balance and overall well-being, which is why many people use it in their everyday routines.

How To Use

• Tea: Like the other herbs, simply add holy basil to a pot of hot water, then let it steep. When it’s done, drink it throughout the day to keep the negative energy away.
• Cooking: Though other types of basil are more commonly used, Holy Basil is a fabulous ingredient to use in marinades, infused oils, stir frys, and more.

Lavender

Boasting soothing properties that can improve your mood, lavender is a major player in aromatherapy. It can be found in a number of health and beauty products, from skincare balms to hair creams. And if you need it to keep calm, it can help with that, too.

How To Use

• Aromatherapy: If you have an air diffuser, add several drops of lavender essential oil to incorporate a calming scent in your room.
• Pillow Spray: To make a pillow spray, shake up some water, several drops of lavender essential oil, and a touch of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Before you go to sleep, spritz a little bit on your pillow to help you relax.