Anxiety Herbal Remedy
A little bit of anxiousness is normal, but when a person feels anxious persistently and without reason it may be due to an anxiety disorder. Some symptoms of an anxiety disorder are restlessness, felling tense or on edge, impatience, irritability, and lack of concentration. Anxiety can have physical implications as well such as headaches, muscle tension, jaw pain, insomnia, fatigue, chest tightness, indigestion, dry mouth and excessive sweat production.
There are some natural remedies that can help reduce anxiety symptoms. Some people choose massage therapy, acupuncture and relaxation techniques such as yoga. There are herbal remedies that are used to treat people with anxiety. Some of the more popular ones are:
Passionflower- This herb has shown some promise in treating anxiety. It works similarly to benzodiazepine drugs.
Valerian- The herb valerian is often used to treat insomnia, but may also be used to treat mild anxiety. It can be taken in capsule or tea form.
Kava- The herb kava is found naturally in Polynesia. It has been found to have anti-anxiety attributes. However, the FDA has issued an advisory to consumers about the potential risk of liver damage from supplements containing kava.
Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)- This amino acid is known for its role in the physiology of anxiety. Some prescription anti-anxiety drugs work by affecting GABA receptors in the brain. Adequate testing has not been done to determine the effectiveness of orally ingested GABA supplements however.
Aromatherapy- Essential oils can be put in baths, infusers, and massage oils to relax and reduce anxiety. Some of the best essential oils to reduce tension are bergamot, geranium, cypress, lavender, neroli, rose, sandalwood, and ylang-ylang. Lavender is used the most in relaxation blends.
Anxiety disorders should be taken seriously. It is important to see your doctor before starting any new medications including natural herbal remedies. Some herbal remedies may have adverse side affects or reactions when mixed with other medications or conditions.
