HERBAL REMEDIES FOR ANXIETY

Anxiety is the second most widespread psychological problem which remains undiagnosed 75% of the time. In this anxious age, doubts and fears can become obvious as simple worries, free-floating anxiety, phobias (agoraphobia, social phobias, etc.), panic disorders and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. The obsessive-compulsive tendencies affect as many as 7 million Americans. Herbal remedies for anxiety offer the best touchstone to harmonize the traditional treatment.

Anxiety is the distasteful physical and emotional condition experienced by a person that may be a blend of fear, apprehension, or worry. Anxiety can be short term or the long term. In short-term anxiety, the person feels well after the cause of anxiety has gone away (for instance when one is worried about visiting a doctor with health report). The long-term anxiety, for example, those caused as a result of work stress or incompatible relations with important persons of one's life may persist for longer and can lead to other medical conditions such as tension, migraine headache, and high blood pressure. Mild anxieties can be handled with natural anxiety remedies which may include some lifestyle changes, herbal remedies, and herbs for anxiety. However, the chronic anxiety (connected with suicidal thoughts) must be referred to expert opinions of doctors with immediate effect.

Physical aspects of anxiety are stomach upsets, colitis, migraines, palpitations, hypertension, and sweating. Anxiety after trauma, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), is similarly increasingly common. Primary contributing factors included low blood sugar, food allergy, nutrient deficiency -fatty acids, B complex, etc. - and imbalances of the thyroid, ovaries or adrenals.

Herbal remedies for anxiety can help you get this nutrient in.

Prevention:

Scores of the herbs that help anxiety work on the same brain receptor sites just like drugs such as Valium. However, herbs are known to be gentler, safer and non-addictive. They possess relaxant properties but also nourish and strengthen the nervous system. There are hundreds of herbal remedies for anxiety and nervous disorders.

One of the foremost causes of anxiety is stress that may crop up when demands are greater than a person's ability to meet up with them. Improving the coping skills or managing the hassles and expectations in life can put a stop to anxiety. One can equally bring some lifestyle changes to control anxiety. Prevention and some habits are the most excellent natural remedies for anxiety. Here is a catalog of natural remedies for anxiety that can be employed by people who suffer from repeated anxiety attacks.

Exercise

- Be active to avoid the anxiety attacks. Exercise burns off extra adrenaline so jog, walk, cycle, or use exercise equipment such as a treadmill for at least half an hour four days in a week.

Meditation and Deep Breathing

- Gain knowledge of basic deep breathing techniques from some yoga experts or try it yourself by inhaling for longer than normal, hold the breath for some seconds and then exhale it. Meditation can also be used to soothe nerves.

Staying clear of Junk Foods and Drinks

- Refined Sugar and Carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, smoking and such other things should also be avoided to get rid of anxiety.

Warm Bath and Aromatherapy

- A relaxing bath at the same time listening to some soothing music can tranquil the anxious nerves. Essential oils used for aromatherapy can also be used to relax oneself and keep away from anxiety.

Being Positive and Relaxed

- Live positively, have a discussion with people of positive attitude, listen to music, spend some time doing your much loved work, pursue your hobbies, become skilled at saying no in uncomfortable situations, develop the attitude that things will turn out good, call for help when the workload is too much, read your favorite novel or book, speak to friends and family about the issues that unnerve you. All this will prevent anxiety attacks.

Herbal remedies

1. California Poppy

—Eschscholtzia californica

• A tension-relieving, tranquilizer, anti-anxiety and antispasmodic herb.

• Helps insomnia, quells a headache and muscular spasm from stress.

• Gentle, non-addictive action that is safe and sound for children and the elderly.

2. Chamomile

—Matricaria recutita

• Soothing effects, with action akin to drugs, i.e. such as Valium e.t.c.

• Minimizes effects of stress-induced chemicals in the brain, whilst promoting healthy adrenal hormones (e.g. cortisol). Relieves pain and spasms.

• Helps digestion, cramping and back pain. Promotes restful sleep.

3. Ashwagandha

- Is a vital Indian herb that has mild calming, anticonvulsant and antispasmodic properties. Ashwagandha can extensively relieve most of the symptoms of anxiety, panic attacks, and phobia.

4. Passion Flower

- Is a natural sedative that gives relief from nervousness and anxiety attacks.

5. St. John's Wort

- Is an excellent herb for anxiety that acts as a natural antidepressant.

6. Ginkgo Biloba

- This herb enhances blood circulation in the brain and improves mood.

7. Hops

—Humulus lupulus

• Soothes nerves ease anxiety, restlessness, and tension. It is good for headaches from stress, sleep loss, indigestion or effects of alcohol.

• Its sedative properties are not suitable for use during the depression.

8. Kava Kava

—Piper methysticum

• Decreases anxiety, fear, and tension; relieves stress from various emotional, interpersonal and career factors. Improves performance.

• Relaxes muscles alleviate pain, insomnia and promote calm sleep.

• Compares to tranquilizers and benzodiazepines for anxiety.

9. Lemon Balm

—Melissa officinalis

• Relaxing and tonic herb that reduces anxiety, restlessness, and nervousness.

• Tackles panic disorder, palpitations, racing heart, overactive thyroid easily.

• For digestive disturbance from stress or anxiety; nausea, indigestion, colic.

• Anti-depressant. Good in synergistic use with other herbs.

10. Linden

—Tilia Europaea

• Reduces tension and promotes relaxation; mild mood-enhancing qualities.

• Protects against ill health due to stress, anxiety and overactive adrenal glands, together with high blood pressure, palpitations, and gastric ulcers.

11. Motherwort

—Leonarus cardiaca

• A relaxing, refresher herb and mild sedative that soothingly relieves tension, anxiety when feeling under pressure. A heart, uterine and thyroid tonic herb.

• Relieves symptoms such as a racing heart and shallow breathing.

12. Passionflower

—Passiflora incarnata

• The sedative herb that alleviates anxiety, tension, spasms, pains, neuralgia.

• Promotes soothing and revitalized sleep; induces relaxation, mild ecstasy.

• Tender action, appropriate for nervousness in children and the elderly.

13. Skullcap

—Scutellaria laterifolia

• This herb not only relaxes but tones and renews the nervous system. Calms oversensitivity.

• Handles hysteria, depression, and fatigue relieves stress during PMS.

• A perfect pain reliever and antispasmodic. Reduces restlessness and nervousness.

14. St. John's Wort

—Hypericum perfoliatum

• It has an excellent effective long-term action for anxiety and tension, including irritability and depression. And for mood changes during menopause and for pain syndromes, including fibromyalgia, arthritis, and neuralgia.

15. Valerian

—Valeriana officinalis

• Possess sedative and muscle relaxant properties; also good for anxiety, stress, muscle tension and pain, nervous cramps, restlessness, insomnia, overwork.

• For lessening off drug dependency (either medical or recreational drug).

• Take care of after effects of chronic flu.  It improves poor concentration.

16. Vervain

—Verbena officinalis

• Relaxing nerves. It reduces tension and strengthens the nervous system.

• Reduces anxiety induced by stress, PMS or menopause, calms panic.

• Valuable for lingering depression after a cold or flu. Tones up the liver.

17. Wild Lettuce

—Lactuca virosa

• Mild tranquilizer, soothing an overactive and excitable nervous system.

• Very proper for anxious children or adolescents. Helps with sleeplessness.

• All-purpose pain reliever and antispasmodic, particularly for irritable coughs.

18. Wood Betony

—Stachys officinalis

• The tranquilizing action which relieves tension, anxiety and nervous exhaustion.

• Calm an overactive, over-sensitive state. Alleviate headaches and neuralgic pain.

• It strengthens neurological function and improves memory, clarity.

19. Soak 10-12 raw almonds in water for about 8 hours and strip off their skins. Mix together the almonds with a cup of warm milk, little ginger, and nutmeg. Take this preparation before going to bed.

20. Put in equal amounts of baking soda and ginger powder in water for having a warm bath.

21. Massage the whole body with warm sesame oil as well as the scalp and the bottoms of your feet.

Other oils such as those of sunflower, coconut, or corn oil can also be used for a massage before bath.

Take celery and onions- raw or cooked- with meals for a number of weeks. They both contain good amounts of potassium and folic acid whose deficiencies also bring about anxiety.

22. Peel and inhale an orange whose aroma is considered to reduce anxiety. Orange juice with a teaspoon of honey and a bit of nutmeg can also be taken to relax the nerves.

Excerpt From: Spencer Garret. “Alchemy of Herbal Medicine.” iBooks. 2017