Anxiety is your body's normal reaction to a perceived threat or danger. It can make you more alert and focused, and can play an important role in activating coping methods to stressful situations. However, when levels of anxiety remain unnecessarily high or have a detrimental impact on your functioning, finding ways to relieve the anxiety can be important to your health and well being. Traditional Chinese medicine views anxiety as a disruption of your energy flow, or qi, and takes a holistic approach to rebalancing your entire system, according to the Health and Wellness Resource Center.
Herbal Mushrooms
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum or Ling-Zhi) is a medicinal mushroom with a long history of being used to treat anxiety and insomnia in Chinese medicine, according to the Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. The cordyceps mushroom, or caterpillar fungus, is also used to treat anxiety. However, while these mushrooms are regulated by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as dietary supplements, unlike approved drugs, supplements are not required to be manufactured under specific standardized conditions, so researching a brand is advisable, as is consulting a doctor or experienced herbalist before initiating treatment.
Green Tea
There is some debate as to whether Chinese green tea relieves anxiety. A study published in "Biological Psychology" found that theanine, an amino acid in green tea, seemed to counteract anxiety by inhibiting nerve cells in the cortex of the brain. However, green tea also contains caffeine, which stimulates the heart, increases blood pressure and can lead to insomnia and agitation.
Herbal Combinations
The Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation suggests the combination of Shu Gan Pian, Zhi Bai Di Huang and Gui PI Pian as an effective treatment for anxiety. According to the foundation, these herbs treat the liver, which processes the flow of energy and emotion; the spleen, which is related to anxiety and worry; and the kidney, which is associated with fear. By strengthening these organs, the body can more effectively deal with stress symptoms.
