Herbs have been used for centuries in the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. Even today’s anxiety prescription medication often contains an herbal component. That’s because these anxiety herbs have well known abilities to strengthen our body’s response to stress and also to promote relaxation and calm.
One of the main benefits to herbal treatments for anxiety is the cost. Herbal treatments are almost always much less expensive than prescription drugs. But the benefits don’t end there. The best herbs for anxiety will also have fewer and less severe side effects as well, making them safer to use. For instance, they’re nonaddictive.
That’s not to say there are no side effects. Every chemical action must also have a reaction (side effect) and every body reacts in its own way to herbs and other supplements. So you must be careful with any supplement you take. That’s why I recommend that you not take any herbal remedy without first running it by your doctor or pharmacist. Now let’s talk about the anxiety herbs themselves.
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, also known as Kava Kava, has been called “nature’s answer to stress.” It comes to us by way of Oceania and the South Pacific where it has a long history. It’s been used in Polynesia, for instance, for many years as the beverage of choice for relaxation. It’s also widely used in Europe to treat both insomnia and anxiety.
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
Passion Flower is so named because early pilgrims to the new world thought it resembled the crown of thorns and the nails on the cross of Christ. When it was first cultivated it was found to assist with digestion. Later, its natural sedative effects were discovered. Today, it is an effective calming herb.
Last Word
Most health food stores carry these herbs for anxiety so they’re easy to find. They’re sold in different forms too…teas, capsules, or liquid extracts, so you have many choices. It will probably take a little trial-and-error before you find the right form that works for you.
I personally find the teas to be the easiest to use. They’re easy to make and I enjoy a cup of tea after dinner; it’s part of a little pre-sleep routine I use to ease away the stress of the day. But you may find capsules or extracts more convenient for you. In any case, if you’re looking for some help managing your stress and anxiety, these best herbs for anxiety can give you some amazing results.
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