The Best Herbs for Anxiety
Are there any so-called “anxiety herbs?” In a word, yes. There are many herbs that have been known to man for 100′s of years and several of them have been useful in treating stress and anxiety.
Herbs for anxiety treatment offer an effective alternative to today’s drugs. They’re usually available without a prescription, they’re less expensive, and they’re nonaddictive. On the other hand, herbs for anxiety or any other affliction will work much slower than prescription drugs. Their effects are milder so you’ll need to exercise more patience when taking them. But this is an acceptable trade-off for the minimal side effects.
That doesn’t mean that herbal remedies come with no side effects at all. These anxiety herbs definitely do have side effects, they’re just more mild. Still, you should be cautious whenever you start to take any new supplement. Talk to your doctor or your pharmacist before you take anything new.
Valerian
Valerian is a powerful anxiety herb. You can use it in the daytime to manage your stress and anxiety. You can also use it at nighttime to calm you down after a long day. And to help you get a restful, full night’s sleep.
Kava
Kava was first used in the South Pacific islands where it grows easily and abundantly. There it was cultivated into a relaxing beverage used in nearly every household. From there, it made its way to Europe and the West where it is used as an effective treatment for anxiety and insomnia.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is a medicinal herb that dates back over 2000 years to the days of Hippocrates. He used it to first treat depression but in today’s world, it has been found to be an effective treatment against the effects of moderate levels of anxiety. It comes with certain side effects though as it may increase your sensitivity to sunlight and also interfere with the effectiveness of other drugs you may be taking.
Passion Flower
This herb, native to the new world, was found to be both a useful aid to digestion as well as a strong sedative. The early pilgrims to America used it as a natural tranquilizer and today it works just as well.
Wrapping Up
All of these herbs are useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders and you can find them in most health food stores. They come in different forms, capsules, liquid extracts, and teas. And while they all produce much the same effects generally, you may find that they each work a little differently on you. Which one works best will probably take a little trial and error.
Capsules are the easiest to take while the extracts may be the most flexible; you can add them to just about any of your meals or beverages. Teas can be very flavorful and can give you more enjoyment. But whatever you choose, you’ll be getting some serious help from these anxiety herbs, help that can ease your anxiety and stress.