Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder associated with a fear of being in crowds or public places. If you have agoraphobia, you may experience panic attacks with dizziness, rapid heartbeat, dyspepsia, sweating and chest pain. Psychotherapy, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medication are conventional treatments for agoraphobia. Herbs may also help relieve the anxiety and symptoms of panic attacks. Consult a professional before starting herbal therapy.
Herbal Actions
Herbs for agoraphobia include nervine relaxants to calm your nerves and relieve anxiety. If you also suffer from headaches, dyspepsia and muscle tension due to anxiety, antispasmodic herbs may be helpful. These herbs should not substitute for professional psychotherapy if needed, but they may complement other therapies. Check with a knowledgeable practitioner before using herbs if you are also taking antidepressants.
Chamomile
Chamomile, or Matricaria recutita, has a long history as a remedy for stress and anxiety. The flowers are rich in essential oil and flavonoids, and have sedative, nervine, antispasmodic and tonic actions. In their 2000 book, "The Herbal Drugstore," Dr. Linda B. White and medicinal plant expert Steven Foster recommend chamomile to relax your nervous system, ease muscle tension and reduce anxiety. Chamomile may also be helpful for nausea and upset stomach, which often accompany panic attacks. Do not use this herb if you have allergies to members of the Aster family.
Kava
Kava, or Piper methysticum, is an ancient woody shrub native to Polynesia. Traditional healers use the roots and rhizomes as a sedative to relieve anxiety. Kava contains a group of chemicals known as kavalactones. In their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk and biologist Michael Wink explain that kavalactones bind to neuroreceptors and act like benzodiazepines, producing a tranquillizing, muscle-relaxing effect. Kava is a potent herb, so consult a knowledgeable practitioner for advice about safe dosage and preparation. Do not combine with other antidepressants or anti-anxiety medicine.
Passionflower
Passionflower, or Passiflora incarnata, is a creeping vine found throughout Eastern and Southern North America. Herbalists use the leaves and stems to treat all kinds of anxiety disorders. Passionflower contains alkaloids that bind to serotonin receptors and have sedative and anti-anxiety actions. White and Foster state that you may use passionflower for severe daytime anxiety, which makes it a useful herb for agoraphobia. Do not combine this herb with MAO inhibitors or other types of antidepressants.
References
- "The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster; 2000
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
