Prescription medications are rarely the first choice for those
suffering from mental health issues. While most doctors are quick to
prescribe these powerful medicines, far too many have severe side
effects – including personality changes – that should make them a last
resort for those seeking help with
anxiety.
Luckily, there are many herbal remedies and supplements available for
those living with anxiety. These natural remedies have fewer side
effects and are made with all natural ingredients, and some of them are
as powerful or more powerful than many prescription medications.
In this article, we'll take a look at a comprehensive selection of
the herbs that may be effective at treating specific types of anxiety,
as well as specific anxiety symptoms. There are herbs that are
effective for anxiety itself, as well as several herbal remedies that are perfect for issues related to anxiety, such as:
- Heart Palpitations.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Emotional Instability and More.
What Symptoms of Yours Are Anxiety?
Depending on your specific type of anxiety (GAD, OCD, PTSD, and more)
there may be many different symptoms, including rare symptom.
Herbal and natural remedies are simply a great way to treat your
anxiety and your anxiety symptoms. They're non-addictive, won't change
your personality, and are generally free of side effects when taken as
directed.
Before you even begin to examine natural anxiety treatments, remember
that the only way to effectively fight anxiety is to understand your
anxiety and your symptoms. Check out my free anxiety test now. I developed it specifically so that you can get a free snapshot of your anxiety, and treatment recommendations.
Natural Treatments to Reduce Anxiety Symptoms
Catnip is a unique herbal anxiety remedy. Part of the mint family,
catnip is designed to treat many of the various symptoms of anxiety. It
may be used to alleviate stomach cramps, spams, and irritations (which
often occur in those with anxiety). It may also reduce some of the
headaches caused by insomnia, improve appetite, and – perhaps most
importantly – ease muscle tension and stress in those with severe
anxiety.
Chamomile is a natural sedative that is best for mild anxiety.
Chamomile is used to calm nervousness, both in the mind and in the
stomach. It can reduce digestive discomforts and improve appetite in
those with a great deal of stress.
It has also been linked to reducing headaches and improving liver and
lung health. Most experts recommend that chamomile only be used as a
temporary treatment, not a long term solution. Chamomile is also popular
for anxiety in children.
Fennel isn't for anxiety specifically, but it is linked to treating
some of the most common symptoms of anxiety, including digestion,
coughing (many with anxiety have a nervous cough), and asthma (
anxiety
can exacerbate asthma symptoms). It may also act as an analgesic,
diuretic, and antispasmodic – the latter being useful for some types of
anxiety.
Kava (also known as Kava Kava) is possibly the most effective herbal
supplement for moderate and severe anxiety. The Kava root has been
extensively researched for its effects on stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
Unlike other herbal anxiety supplements, kava is not only effective for
anxiety symptoms – it's effective for anxious thoughts as well.
However, kava has been linked to a few health scares, so it's advised to
talk to your doctor before taking kava, especially if you drink
alcohol, take any other medicines, or have any liver problems.
Hops is useful for more than just beer. Hops has a long history of
medicinal applications. It's used to fight insomnia, stress, and
headaches. It's also beneficial for indigestion, general nervousness,
and may help reduce fever.
Hops has also been used for lowering uric acid levels in the body,
treating infections and skin disorders, and provide some relief from
rheumatism, though these are often unrelated to anxiety.
Motherwort's primary medicinal use is for treating menstrual
discomfort. But it is also favored by pregnant women as a way to manage
stress and pregnancy tension and anxiety. It's not recommended for those
in the first two trimesters, but it is believed to be effective at
stimulating circulation without an increase in pulse rate, lowering
blood pressure, fighting heart palpitations, and inducing calmness
without any associated fatigue.
Passionflower is a lot like Kava, except without the side effects.
Passionflower is considered best for mild to moderate
anxiety, although
it may still be valuable for severe anxiety. It works by reducing muscle
tension and insomnia, calming the nerves to prevent agitation, mood
swings, headaches, and hot flashes from anxiety. It's not recommended to
take passionflower if you are using any MAOIs.
Skullcap has sedative, tonic, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Skullcap may be used to sooth overly twitching muscles, and may help
manage both epilepsy and restless leg syndrome (RLS). Many people use
the natural sedative properties of skullcap to fight insomnia,
restlessness, rapid heartbeat, and even depression. It should be taken
as directed, and should not be used by pregnant women.
St. John's Wort is not designed for anxiety specifically, but it is
very effective for fighting depression, which is often comorbid with
anxiety symptoms. St. John's Wort is also an effective mood lifter. It
has also been used for diarrhea, gastroenteritis, viral infections of
the chest, lungs, and genitals, and many other valuable medicinal uses.
Valerian Root is an incredible effective sedative. It's used
primarily as a sleep aid, but the sedative qualities of valerian are
effective at soothing muscles and reducing mental and physical tension
so that you can easily relax. It may also be used to relieve uterine
cramps, persistent coughs, and bronchial spasms. It is not recommended
for children under 12, pregnant women, or anyone taking other
antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs.
General Guidelines for Using Herbal Supplements for Anxiety:
- Avoiding mixing herbs with prescription medications or alcohol without consulting a doctor.
- Never abuse herbal remedies (take more than recommended).
- Do not use herbal remedies for an extended period of time without talking to a doctor.
- Check to make sure you are not allergic to an herb before you use it.
- Always combine herbal supplements with healthy lifestyle choices.
How to Use Natural Remedies to Treat Anxiety
No medicine (natural or otherwise) should be the only treatment for anxiety.
The reason herbal medicines are so beneficial is because while you
use herbal supplements you can also learn valuable anxiety-coping
strategies. Prescription anxiety medications dull anxiety and the brain
too much, and make it much harder to learn to cope with stress, while
herbal and natural remedies keep your mind intact for learning to
control anxiety symptoms.
In addition to herbal supplements, there are several breathing
exercises, alternate coping strategies, diets, and physical exercises
that are effective for anxiety. Some people also find relief by reducing
their ingestion of stimulants (coffee, soda, etc.) and alcohol.
Drinking more water may also be effective.
Finally, remember that non-medicinal strategies are also natural ways
to treat
anxiety. Desensitization and improving your internal dialogue
are both effective anxiety control methods.
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