Anxiety has become a very common state of mental illness these days, which when not treated properly can lead to several other health disorders. Treating your anxiety with natural herbs is a safe and effective way to deal with it.
10 Herbal Remedies For Anxiety
Ashwagandha
Also called as Winter Cherry, this traditional Indian medicine helps stabilize your mood and also boosts your immune system to withstand stress.
Ashwagandha is proved to be highly effective in the treatment of anxiety, depression and many other mental disorders. It has anti-bacterial properties and also boosts your sexual strength.
Ashwagandha is available in the form of tablets, capsules and as a liquid infusion. Traditionally, 1-2 g of this herb root is boiled in water or milk for about 20 minutes and taken 3 times a day. Get advice from a doctor or herbalist for proper dosage.
Valerian Extract
Valerian treats anxiety rapidly, often in less than a hour. It is a Liver tonic that acts as sedative and heals muscular tension, pain, cramps, restlessness and insomnia, also improving concentration. It is very effective for panic attacks.
Valerian generally comes as a supplement capsule, although some teas contain this herb as an additive for calming your mind. A standardized Valerian extract should contain a minimum of 0.8% Valerian acid to work well and make sure not to take it for more than few weeks at a time. Visit a doctor or a herbalist before using Valerian.
Passion Flower
This is another common herb used for treating anxiety, insomnia, tension, spasms, nervousness related pain, seizures and hysteria. It is a mild sedative that induces relaxation and promotes good sleep. It is also helpful in treating irregular heartbeat and excitability.
It is available in the forms of capsule, tablet, liquid extract and tincture. The herbal supplements use the flowers, leaves and stems of the plant. Generally 90 mg of the drug or 45 drops of its liquid extract is prescribed for anxiety.
Green Tea
This is a drink that is made by steaming dried leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant. It contains a natural amino acid called L-theanine which has a significant anti-anxiety effect.
It induces relaxation without any kind of sedation, thereby helping in promoting a calming effect and restoring your normal brain activity. It also stimulates the immune system, improving your focus and learning power.
Most green teas contain 10mg of L-theanine per serving, but the recommended dose for treating anxiety related problems is between 50-200mg. However, it is recommended to increase your green tea intake gradually, according to symptoms.
Chamomile
Chamomile is another herb that has been used for a long time to treat stress, anxiety, sleeplessness, depression and panic attacks. It is a good aid for sleep that helps calming your nerves. Chamomile is a great remedy for sleep and its effects last for a long time.
It is used as a herbal tea in general and is often served with honey or lemon. It also comes in other forms like capsule, liquid extract and topical cream. 1-4 cups of Chamomile tea can be taken daily.
In capsule form, 400-1600 mg of chamomile should be taken daily in divided doses. The liquid chamomile extract should be take in 1-4 ml doses 3 times a day.
Lemon Balm
This is an excellent herb to normalize your blood pressure and keep your anxiety at optimal level. It belongs to mint family and has calming effect. It helps in curing insomnia, excessive worrying, depression and promotes sleep and good appetite.
Lemon Balm is generally used as a fragrant in herbal teas. It also comes in other supplement forms like capsules, extracts, tinctures and oil. 300 – 500 mg of dried lemon balm can be taken as capsules 3 times daily.
1/4 – 1 teaspoonful of dried lemon balm herb can be taken in the form of tea 4 times a day. Herbal combination of Valerian and lemon balm is reported to be very effective in treating anxiety and sleep disorders.
Wild Lettuce
Wild Lettuce, also known as bitter lettuce or lettuce opium, is a traditional, sedative herb that has calming, relaxing and pain relieving effects. It is good for insomnia and is also useful in treating anxious children.
It has sedative and psychoactive properties and was earlier used to treat a number of ailments like asthma, cough, headaches, pain, sore muscles and menstrual problems.
Wild Lettuce is available in leaves and powdered forms. Generally it is advised to take 30-120 mg of the herb about 30 minutes before bed time.
Siberian Ginseng
Eleuthero is the other name of Siberian ginseng that comes from the roots of a shrub growing in Siberia and Asia. The herb is often used in maintaining and restoring the natural mental alertness.
It has a sedative effect that decreases stress and anxiety. It also boosts your immune system and increases your athletic performance. Generally, it is available in the form of tea.
The supplements come in the form of powder, tablets and capsules. 500 to 3000mg of Siberian ginseng is recommended per day in capsule or tea form according to the condition of the patient. Take this herb for no more than two or three months at a time.
Lavender Oil
Lavender is another mint related herb like lemon balm that comes with a pleasant aroma and has soothing effect. The lavender oil distilled from the flowers is often combined with other herbs such as linden for treating anxiety, depression and sleep related disorders. It acts as a sedative and also helps in relieving headaches and gastrointestinal pain.
Lavender oil is available in many health foods, vitamins tablets and supplements. Make sure they use 100% pure essential oils. The oil is also used for massage. One can also use lavender pillows to reduce their anxiety and help relaxation.
Skullcap
Skullcap is an effective herbal sedative useful in soothing anxiety, stress and worries. It is a common herb used in Chinese medicine and is very effective in treating insomnia, nervous tensions, convulsions, inflammation and other related conditions.
It treats anxiety disorders by preventing changes in the levels of those hormones. Both the leaves and shoots of this herbal plant are used in herbal supplements. It is available as tea, powder and fluid extract. It is important to consult a doctor before using skullcap.
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Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.
