Strong Relax & Relieve

Strong Relax & Relieve is a complex, synergistic formula built which uses an elegant technique of building upon modular herbal units which balance and optimize potency. The key herbal module activates the system via a foundation of gotu kola and hawthorn to balance, open and support mind and heart. Drawing inspiration from Chinese formulation techniques and Vitalist traditional blends, each ingredient of this formula has been thoughtfully selected for its dove-tailing contribution to bring you strong support during even the most challenging and stressful times.

About these herbs:

Gotu kola is a mild-tasting powerhouse of an herb—bringing cool and clear skies of mental clarity, strong and body-wide support to calm any hot, irritated-feeling areas. It works especially well with emotional upset which is disturbing the body, as tissues heat up and cause pain and swelling. It is traditionally used as a specific herb for the brain, as well as overall support during tissue healing.

Hawthorn’s white flowers, lacy leaves and bright reddish-orange berries have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and are used widely for supporting cardiovascular health. A gentle balm for a broken heart as well as the physical body—hawthorn has it covered.

Together, gotu kola and hawthorn hold the foundational vessel of this formula—like being held within two loving hands—upon which are added relaxing nervines, sedative helpers, and grounding, calming elements which synergistically provide a trustworthy friend for traversing grief, panic, shock, anxiety, stress and overwhelm.

The next herbal module is formed by a relaxing triad of nervine herbs—skullcap, passionflower and California poppy. A calming synergy connects deeply with the body to guide it towards a calm and relaxed state. If sleep is needed, it will assist, while not being overly sedative.

The next two herbs give a boost to what we know as ‘heart-based’ emotional spaces. Rose brings a gentle happiness and acts like a teddy bear balm during heartache and loss. It reminds us of sweetness and sings a lullaby which points us towards better futures and heart-centered presence. Albizia is commonly known as the mimosa tree—and like the little pink fireworks of its flowers, it brings a spicy zing of joy. Helping to break out of even the most persistent, ‘forever-feeling’ difficult emotions and mindsets, albizia brings the potential for moments of ‘break-through joy’ even while navigating grief, depression and loss.

Gentian is known as a very strong, cooling bitter, utilized in digestive formulas. Yet through the years of developing a relationship with this plant and its effects, our formulator found another use of the plant—as a strong nervine, or nervous system calming herb. When we get riled up emotionally and mentally, it can form an energetic cloud of heat and activity in the head, making it hard to calm down and break free of mental loops. Gentian is like sitting atop a cool slab of granite—bringing the energy swiftly down into the rest of the body like a cooling waterfall.

Ginger is known as a digestive aid, as well as a very warming herb—enhancing flow through the system. It is utilized in a small amount in this formula as an enhancer, traditionally known to help drive the other herbs to the places they need to go in the body.

And lastly, we have valerian, known for its relaxing, sedative effects. Woody, earthy and pungent, it blends well with the energies of the gentian as it brings calm and ease to the psyche. In typical formulas, the European valerian is used, but herbalists have noted a small percentage of people find European valerian has the opposite effect and makes them feel “buzzy” or not sleep well. Luckily, American herbalists have found that the species of valerian found here in the Pacific Northwest, valeriana calycosa, is much more reliable in its relaxing effects. Therefore, we have included wild harvested valerian ethically harvested from the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. Its deep, earthy scent wakes our inner senses and reminds us of safe communion with forested lands.

Consult with your doctor or other health care practitioner before using this product.