Alternative Medicines For Anxiety

Everyone feels anxiety from time to time, but if you find that you are anxious most of the time, and your anxiety is interfering with work and relationships, then you may seek help in the form of life changes, therapy or medication. Doctors prescribe antidepressants, benzodiazepines or buspirone for anxiety relief, but these medications may have unpleasant side effects. Many herbs treat anxiety disorders effectively and without dangerous side effects.

Kava

Kava (Piper methysticum) is used throughout the Pacific Islands as an herbal relaxant. The active ingredients in kava are its kavalactones, which enhance the role of gamma-Aminobutyric acid, or GABA, in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter---a chemical that carries messages between nerve cells. As the body's main inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA regulates the excitability level of nerve cells, especially nerve cells that control muscle movement. The kavalactones in kava enhance GABA neurotransmission, thereby producing a calm and relaxing effect. Some kavalactones also counter anxiety by inhibiting the enzyme known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) that breaks down serotonin. Once this enzyme is inhibited, more serotonin can remain between nerve cells and this reduces depression and anxiety. A study published in the February 2006 issue of "Phytomedicine" found that out of eight herbs studied, only kava had demonstrated anti-anxiety effects in humans.

California poppy

California poppy (Eschscholtzia californica) is in the same family as the opium poppy, but it has no narcotic effect. It is used to treat anxiety, especially when accompanied by sleep problems, pain or panic attacks. A study published in the August 2001 issue of "Phytotherapy Research" found that California poppy had a preference for binding to the benzodiazepine receptors in the brain, which may explain its calming effect. Another study, published in the December 2004 issue of "Alternative and Complementary Therapies" found that at lower doses the herb reduces anxiety, and at higher doses, it induces sleep. Do not use California poppy if you are pregnant.

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a popular herb for nervousness and anxiety, and it also acts as a sedative. Lavender has powerful volatile oils that are used in aromatherapy to treat anxiety. A study published in the May 2007 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that lavender volatile oil had an effect similar to diazepam, a benzodiazepine drug prescribed for anxiety disorders.

Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is an herb used to treat insomnia, problems with concentration, heart palpitations and panic, all of which may be related to anxiety. A study published in the December 2008 issue of "Planta Medica" found that the flavonoids in passionflower were its principal constituents. The study also stated that the anxiolytic effects of passionflower were comparable to the benzodiazepine drug diazepam, and that passionflower's anti-anxiety properties were due to the plant's enhancement of GABA, an inhibiting neurotransmitter that has a calming action on the central nervous system.