Linden tea, as a sedative / relaxant / anxiety-reliever / concentration-booster.

[JONTON]

It seems like a common side-effect of too much introspection is anxiety, scatterbrainedness, lack of concentration.

I've seen some people on this forum condoning prescription drugs like Adderall to alleviate exam/university anxiety and boost concentration. But that doesn't appeal to me for various reasons, so I thought I'd share this.

In present day Spain and South America (and historically by the Aztecs) Linden and Orange Leaf (tila y naranjo) tea is drunk as a natural alleviator of the anxiety and consequent symptoms (constipation, scatterbrainedness, etc).

From wikipedia, regarding the properties of Linden blossoms:

Tilia flowers are used medicinally for colds, cough, fever, infections, inflammation, high blood pressure, headache (particularly migraine), as a diuretic (increases urine production), antispasmodic (reduces smooth muscle spasm along the digestive tract), and sedative. New evidence shows that the flowers may be hepatoprotective. The flowers were added to baths to quell hysteria, and steeped as a tea to relieve anxiety-related indigestion, irregular heartbeat, and vomiting. The leaves are used to promote sweating to reduce fevers. The wood is used for liver and gallbladder disorders and cellulitis (inflammation of the skin and surrounding soft tissue). That wood burned to charcoal is ingested to treat intestinal disorders and used topically to treat edema or infection such as cellulitis or ulcers of the lower leg.

I've tried it myself and it's delicious, and highly effective. Without going into too much detail: I feel better inside and out.

I don't know how easy it is to get your hands on linden tea elsewhere in the world, but if you can, I recommend it as a digestive and relaxant/sedative.

 

[Moocow]

It seems like a common side-effect of too much introspection is anxiety, scatterbrainedness, lack of concentration.

Hold up right here.
Introspection, if anything, should HELP your anxiety, scatterbrainedness, and improve your concentration, not make them worse. What exactly is your idea of introspection if it is detrimental to your mental health?

 

[JONTON]

I did say "too much". I.E., looking into yourself so deeply that you lose perspective.