Anxiety can produce a wide range of both physical and psychological symptoms, including feelings of tension, nervousness, worry, irritability, hopelessness and frustration. Anxiety can also cause insomnia and an inability to cope with daily life. Most people experience some level of anxiety during their lives, but those who suffer from constant and sometimes unexplained anxiousness may have an anxiety disorder. Many herbs can be helpful in treating anxiety, but some are more effective than others.
Passionflower
If you have anxiety, taking passionflower may help to relieve your symptoms. Some medical studies have found that taking passionflower produced the same effectiveness in relieving anxiety as some prescription benzodiazepines medications, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Passionflower is among the medicinal plants called "nervines," which are nerve tonics used in traditional herbal medicine. The University of Michigan points to a double-blind study that found taking 45 drops of passionflower extract per day for four weeks was equally effective as 30 mg per day of the commonly-prescribed anxiety medication oxazepam. You can take passionflower as a tea, fluid extract or tincture. For adults only, the University of Maryland recommends steeping 1 tsp. of dried passionflower in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes, and drinking three to four cups per day to treat anxiety. Alternatively, you can take 10 to 30 drops of the passionflower fluid extract, or 10 to 60 drops of the tincture three times daily.
Valerian
Valerian has similar effects as passionflower, but is stronger. Valerian is more commonly used to treat insomnia, and the results of medical studies on valerian's effectiveness in treating anxiety have been mixed, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Valerian is often combined with other herbs like lemon balm, St. John's wort or passionflower to treat anxiety. Valerian is also considered a "nervine" herb, and in some studies, taking valerian combined with passionflower helped to reduce anxiety symptoms, according to the University of Michigan Health System. The University of Maryland advises taking 150 mg of valerian supplement two to three times per day to treat anxiety, but not if you're taking a medication with sedative-like effects, have liver problems, you're pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Chamomile
Chamomile is another herb that's sometimes suggested for treating anxiety, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Chamomile has been used as a traditional folk remedy for anxiety and insomnia. Test tube and animal studies have shown that chamomile contains compounds that produce calming effects, notes the University of Michigan Health System. The University of Michigan recommends drinking 1 cup of chamomile tea three or more times daily to treat anxiety.
Essential Oils
For an instant calming effect to relieve anxiety, you can use the essential oils of lemon balm, bergamot and jasmine as aromatherapies, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The University of Maryland advises placing several drops of essential oil in a warm bath, in an atomizer, or on a cotton ball for use as aromatherapy to reduce anxiety. Lemon balm has also shown positive effects in treating anxiety when taken orally, according to several double-blind studies cited by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Taking a combination of valerian and lemon balm has also been studied with positive results.
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