Stress can be deadly. According to the American Psychological Association, stress is linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver, and suicide. And, according to the Cleveland Clinic, stress can also significantly lower your immune system, leaving you ripe for infections.

"Eliminating or modifying stress factors in one's life is vital to protect and augment the immune response," Leonard Calabrese, DO, of the Cleveland Clinic says.

But instead of taking prescription medications to deal with stress, there are natural supplements that can help. Dr. Chris D'Adamo, an epidemiologist at the University of Maryland, tells Newsmax that "many prescription drugs for anxiety and stress like benzodiazepines may be problematic in the long run."

Dr. Ellen Kamhi, PhD, author of "The Natural Medicine Chest," says that stress-busting supplements can help control the high cortisol levels released when we are anxious that can wreak havoc with our health. Here are some suggestions:

1. B-Complex. Studies show that a B-complex supplement helps support the production of neurotransmitters and hormones that help facilitate a healthy nervous system.
2. Rhodiola Rosea. Dr. D'Adamo says that this herb is his first choice to increase resistance to stress. It's been studied extensively in many European countries and, according to the American Botanical Council, helps prevent stress, fatigue and acts as a powerful antioxidant to enhance immune system function.
3. Ashwagandha. The benefits of this plant are wide ranging but according to experts, it's a superstar when it comes to lowering your stress levels. A 2017 study reported in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, showed a 44% reduction in stress levels after taking Ashwagandha compared to just a 5.5% decrease in the placebo group.
4. Valerian. This herb native to Europe and Asia is also grown here in North America. It's used commonly to treat sleep disorders but is also effective in treating anxiety and psychological stress. According to studies, valerian seems to act like a sedative on the brain and nervous system.
5. Essential oils. Oils like lavender and citrus are wonderful for relieving stress and anxiety and for dealing with those troublesome sleepless nights, says Kamhi.