Anxiety is a part of everyone's life, but if you are experiencing anxiety frequently and it's interfering with your day-to-day activities, it might be time to do something about it. While there are several popular prescription medicines, from tranquilizers to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, you might be able to reduce your anxiety and depression through herbal supplements. Talk to your doctor. These herbs often have fewer side effects than prescription medications.
Kava
In his book, "The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook," Dr. Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D. says some of his clients have found kava to be as effective a relaxer as Xanax. Kava is a natural tranquilizer, and the most powerful anti-anxiety herb available. But kava isn't addictive, while benzodiazepines like Xanax or Klonopin are highly addictive, and a tolerance to them builds quickly. There are current studies of kava to determine if it is safe for the liver. In 2002, there were several reports in Europe of severe liver damage. Dr. Bourne believes this was due to improper processing. Because doctors regularly prescribe kava in Europe for anxiety, manufacturers were grinding up the leaves and stems to stretch their stocks. American kava is purely the root, and there has been no liver damage ever reported from using American kava. Most doctors seem to agree that patients can use kava safely for six months if you have no current liver conditions. Persisting beyond that could lead to liver damage. Potential side effects for kava include liver injury, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, headaches and hypersensitivity.
St. John's Wort
St. John's wort is a small flowering weed used around the world for the treatment of depression and anxiety. Doctors commonly prescribe it in Europe, and it has grown in popularity in the United States over the past two decades. A review of 29 trials published in October 2008 on "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" found that St. John's wort is as effective as standard antidepressants, while having far fewer side effects. The "PDR for Herbal Medicines" recommends a dosage between 200 and 1,000 mcg of hypericin a day. Check the amount of hypericin in your St. John's Wort supplement to determine the proper dosage. Don't take St. John's wort if you're on a prescription antidepressant. Potential side effects include hypertension, restlessness, fatigue, photosensitivity, frequent urination, headache, mania, hypomania, anxiety and hyperthyroidism.
Passionflower
In "1000 Cures for 200 Ailments," herbalism expert Dr. David Kiefer suggests that for restlessness, insomnia and anxiety, you try making an infusion from one to two teaspoons of dried passionflower steeped in a cup of hot water. It acts as a tranquilizer, and has an immediate effect. According to the "PDR for Herbal Medicines," passionflower has no known side effects when taken in proper dosages.
Griffonia Simplicifolia Seeds
Africans eat griffonia simplicifolia seeds to treat depression and anxiety. These seeds are incredibly effective at treating these mood disorders because they contain very large quantities of the amino acid 5-HTP. In fact, most supplemental 5-HTP is 100 percent griffonia simplicifolia seed extract. Several decades of study on 5-HTP as an antidepressant have produced very positive findings. A study published in the August 1998 issue of the "Alternative Medicine Review" found that 5-HTP, a metabolite of tryptophan, more easily crossed the blood-brain barrier, which led to an increase in the brain's production of serotonin. The study concluded that because of this, 5-HTP would be useful for treating depression and anxiety. Because it increases serotonin in the neural synapses, it can provide much of the same relief as SSRIs. Potential side effects of 5-HTP include heartburn, stomach pain, flatulence, diarrhea and vomiting.
References
- "The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook 4th Ed."; Edmund J. Bourne, Ph.D.; 2005
- "1000 Cures for 200 Ailments"; Editor Dr. Victor Sierpina; 2007
- "PDR for Herbal Medicines 4th Ed."; Thomson Healthcare Inc.; 2007
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: St John's Wort for Major Depression
- Alternative Medicine Review: 5-Hydroxytryptophan: A Clinically-Effective Serotonin Precursor
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