Top 7 Herbal Remedies to Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is an emotional feeling that you get in life. Having anxiety for some time is not abnormal because all people experience this feeling at one time or another.

Anxiety is also people’s way to show they are concerned about something. Mild anxiety may even be beneficial because it enhances your perceptual field, meaning that your reflexes and senses become more active.

However, when anxiety sets in regularly with no apparent reason or anxiety disrupts your daily activities, it may be time for you to seek a psychiatric evaluation because these may be signs of general anxiety disorder or a kind of anxiety-related disorder.

Management of anxiety involves administration of anxiolytic drugs. However, these drugs may have various negative health effects such as sedation or CNS depression so people find ways to manage anxiety using natural remedies. There are various herbal remedies that you can use to manage your anxiety attacks. These include:

• Valerian

Valerian with a scientific name of Valeriana officinalis is a herbal remedy primarily for insomnia. It is also used to manage mild forms of anxiety because of its calming effects. Valerian is taken an hour before bedtime to manage anxiety and insomnia at night. Valerian should not be taken for longer than three months to prevent side-effects such as headache, indigestion, palpitations and dizziness.

• Passionflower

Passionflower is another herbal remedy for treating insomnia and anxiety. The effects of assionflower are similar to benzodiazepine drugs in managing anxiety. Passionflower is considered safer than taking benzodiazepines for anxiety because it causes less drowsiness and improves the performance of people taking it. Passionflower should not be taken along with other sedatives, in order to prevent serious CNS depression.

• Kava Kava

Kava kava or simply kava, is a native herb to Polynesia. It produces anti-anxiety effects similar to other anti-anxiety herbs. However, the efficacy of kava is under controversy because of various adverse events that have been reported such as liver damage that required people who took it to undergo liver transplants. It also causes sedation that may impair your daily activities. If you plan to take kava supplements, be sure to consult your physician prior to use.

• Aromatherapy herbs

Herbs that are commonly used for aromatherapy such as lavender, chamomile, jasmine, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, cypress, rose and others may also help reduce anxiety. These herbs provide relaxing effects when used in aromatherapy. People who are anxious or stressed usually experience relief after aromatherapy sessions.

• St John’s Worth

St. John’s Worth is an anti-depressant herb that can also manage anxiety-related disorders. St. John’s Worth is available in powder form, but you can also use the fresh herb to prepare your own tea.

• Meadow Sweet

Meadow sweet is another effective herbal remedy for anxiety as well as for headaches and dizziness related to the condition. Meadow sweet can be taken as a tea or in pill form as a dietary supplement. People who are sensitive to aspirin should avoid this herb because it may also lead to hypersensitivity reactions. In addition, it should not be used to manage fever and headaches in children because it may cause Reye’s syndrome, a type of liver toxicity.

• Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a natural remedy to elevate the mood of people suffering from depression and anxiety. It acts by improving the circulation to the brain. However, people with bleeding tendencies should avoid taking it because of its blood thinning effects. Discuss with your physician regarding the use of this herb.

These herbs may be safer to use than drugs, but consulting your physician is still the best option to safely reduce anxiety.

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About the Author: Amanda is a freelance writer who writes on the topics of health and fitness from time to time. She recommends taking a multi-vitiman and incorporating Pure Formulas Supplements to maintain a healthy diet.