Anxiety is the body's natural response to danger. When a real threat is present, chemical changes occur in the brain and the body, prompting the individual to take action to remain safe. Unfortunately, an individual with an anxiety disorder feels threatened, even when he is safe. His heart may race, he may become short of breath, pale, dizzy or nauseous, or he may experience the fight-or-flight reflex. If you suffer from frequent anxiety with no logical reason, you may benefit from some herbal remedies. However, if the problem does not subside, see your physician to rule out a more serious condition.
Adaptogens
Some herbal treatments do not reduce stress but they assist the individual in adapting to the feeling, thereby lessening the emotional and mental impact stress causes. Knows as adaptogens, these herbs include wild yam, licorice root, milk thistle, skullcap, Siberian ginseng, panax ginseng, borage, chamomile, stinging nettle and wild oats.
Anxiety Reduction
St. John's wort may be beneficial for anxiety sufferers, especially if taken daily over a few weeks. Holistic practitioners in India use gotu kola to treat their patients with anxiety. Valerian, kava, lavender, lemon balm and passionflower may also offer some relief. A certified herbologist or a doctor of naturopathy should make an initial examination and recommend the correct dosage.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Known as TCM, traditional Chinese medicine uses herbs and plants to treat various physical ailments. TCM relates anxiety to a disrupted flow of energy in the body and suggests the use of green tea and the cordyceps mushroom to relieve stress and encourage relaxation. Reishi, another mushroom with medicinal value, may be beneficial, but it may interact with other anxiety medications and you should consult your doctor before taking it.
References
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, Volume 1"; Jacqueline L. Longe; 2005
- Native Remedies: Herbs for Anxiety
- Mayo Clinic: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
