While most people experience bouts of anxiety from time to time, each year 40 million American adults suffer from at least one anxiety disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. These include generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic disorder, commonly known as panic attacks. Though the effectiveness of specific treatments for anxiety attacks varies among individuals, they are manageable with the right combination of treatments. These often include counseling and medication, but there are also herbal remedies for staving off anxiety attacks.
Step 1
Consult with a doctor about any herbal remedy you intend to try for your anxiety attacks. Even natural, herbal supplements have risks of side effects and interactions with medications and other herbs and supplements. Be sure to tell your doctor about all prescriptions and supplements you take, as well as any health conditions you have. Always follow your doctor's dosing instructions.
Step 2
Drink chamomile tea. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends one to four cups on a daily basis as optimal dosing. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) points out that chamomile is an herbal remedy for anxiety.
Step 3
Take liquid extract, tincture, capsules or tablets of chamomile if you prefer these forms to tea. Children should not take these supplements, but adult dosing is generally as follows, as cited by the NIH: Take from 1 to 4 milliliters of liquid extract or up to 15 milliliters of tincture three times a day. Chamomile capsules or tablets of 400 to 1,600 milligrams can be divided each day.
Step 4
Use lavender essential oils or extracts for aromatherapy and drink one to three cups of tea made from dried lavender leaves as an alternative to chamomile. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) suggest this as an herbal remedy for anxiety. For aromatherapy, use one or two drops of lavender oil in a pot of boiling water and inhale the fumes. To make tea, steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of whole dried lavender in hot water for 10 to 15 minutes.
Things You'll Need
- Chamomile supplement
- Lavender supplement
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