Ayurveda, in Sanskrit, means "the science of life," and according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the end goal of ayurvedic remedies is to keep your body and mind in alignment, which helps keep you healthy. Anxiety is a condition involving the mind, but it can display itself physically through a racing heartbeat, muscle tension and sleeplessness. The ayurvedic explanation for anxiety, according to NCCAM, is an imbalance of the vata dosha--the life force that involves heart function, breathing and the mind. Ayurvedic home remedies for anxiety address both pieces of the puzzle through massage therapy, meditation and diet.
Massage and Acupressure
Massage therapy is used in ayurvedic tradition to ease anxiety. Massaging tense muscles helps you relax, and the physical relaxation may in turn help your mind stop racing with anxious thoughts. HolisticOnline recommends a full-body massage if possible, in order to calm the body. If you are under time constraints or do not have a partner who can administer a massage, a short scalp or foot massage can also relieve both physical and mental tension. Acupressure--an element of the traditional Chinese practice of acupuncture---might also serve as a calming measure. Applying pressure to a point in the center of your left hand calms what is called your prana, or life force. Find the right pressure point by making a fist so that your fingertips touch the center of your left palm. Use your right hand to apply pressure to the top of your middle finger, and hold for one minute.
Yoga and Meditation
In addition to massage, a therapy in which another person manipulates your muscles and tissues, actively participating in anxiety-reduction activities is part of the ayurvedic tradition for nervousness or anxiety. Yoga and meditation are two treatments that demand inner focus, and also allow you to become aware of your body's movements in attempt to bring your mind and body together in harmony. If you have not recently participated in much physical activity, consult with a physician before beginning a yoga class or routine. Find a type of meditation that appeals to you. If you are not comfortable with chanting, for example, just find a quiet time and spot in your home in which you can clear your mind and focus on positivity.
Dietary Approach
Anxiety remedies in the ayurvedic tradition can be approached from a dietary angle as well as through physical and spiritual treatment. HolisticOnline suggests taking a calming herbal tea made from 1/2 tsp. each of valerian and musta and one cup boiling water. Almond milk spiked with ginger and orange juice, and sweetened with honey, can also ease anxiety, according to ayurvedic practitioners. Dr. David A. Frederick, an ayurvedic physician, recommends relieving anxiety by taking supplements of an herb called shankhpushpi. According to Dr. Frederick, 275 mg daily of shankhpushpi manages your body's production of stress hormones, which rise when you are anxious or upset.
References
- NCCAM: Ayurvedic Medicine: An Introduction
- HolisticOnline: Anxiety
- "Natural Health"; Ease Anxiety With Shankhpushpi: Ayurvedic Doctors Prefer This Mood-Soother Over Kava-Kava; Franceen Shaughnessy; September 2002.
- Jiva Ayurveda: Anxiety Disorder
- Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health: Healing Anxiety and Depression: An Ayurvedic Perspective
