Herbal Remedies for Anxiety Can be Very Effective

There are many herbal remedies for anxiety. These herbs can be used as an alternative to medicines which are used to treat this disorder. If you are currently taking prescription medication for symptoms of anxiety, I encourage you to speak with your doctor before supplementing your medicine with an herbal remedy.

Herbal Anxiety Remedies - Goal of Treatment

Before we discuss the various herbal anxiety remedies, let's talk about treatment goals. Treatment first involves eliminating whatever the physical causes of the symptoms may be. It is then important to identify the cause of the anxiety, alleviate the acute symptoms, and introduce any lifestyle changes that may be needed to improve your quality of life.

Common Symptoms of Anxiety

Herbal remedies for anxiety are used to treat the following symptoms: rapid breathing and lightheadedness, feeling shaky, excessive sweating, dry mouth, heightened awareness, headaches caused by muscular tension, a pounding heart, tightness in the jaw and chest, tingling in the face and hands, indigestion, nausea and butterflies, insomnia, and a repeated urge to urinate or have bowel movements.

It’s important to note here that many of these symptoms can be signs of other health issues. To be on the safe side, check with your doctor to be sure that you don’t have any other serious health problems.

You should also understand that it’s perfectly normal and even healthy for everyone to have feelings of anxiety every now and then. What separates the garden variety anxious situations we all face from generalized anxiety disorder is the duration of the anxious symptoms. If you experience symptoms of anxiety on a regular basis for longer than six months, then natural remedies for anxiety should be considered.

Herbal Remedies for Anxiety

Both of the following remedies are meant to be taken as a decoction. A decoction can be made by combining the herbs in a ceramic or glass pot, add 3 cups of water. Bring the contents to a boil and let simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink 1 cup twice daily.

Mix 10g of Chai Hu(hare’s ear root), 12g of Bai Shao(white peony), 12g of Bai Zhu(white atractylodes rhizome), 15g of Fuling(poria), 5g of Bo He(field mint), 12g of Dang Gui(Chinese angelica), 5g of Gan Cao(licorice), and 12g of Zi Su Zi(perilla hips). Another formula is: Mix 12g of Tai Zi Shen(psuedostellaria), 15g of Bai Zhu(white atractylodes rhizome), 15g of Shan Yao(Chinese Yam), 12g of Yuan Zhi(Chinese senega root), 12g of Suan Zhao Ren(sour Chinese jujube seed), 5g of Chen Pi(tangerine peel), and five pieces of Da Zhao(Chinese jujube).

A tea can be made from ½ oz of dried lavender, oats, linden flower, catnip, and lemon balm. Add four teaspoons of this mixture to 1 quart of boiling water. Let the herbs steep for 8-10 minutes and strain. Drink the tea while it is still warm. You should drink 4-6 cups a day, but only after meals.

Herbal Supplements You Can Take

Passionflower - This herb has long been used to alleviate the symptoms of insomnia and anxiety. There have been various studies that suggest its effectiveness for people who suffer from anxiety.

However, there are side effects associated with it. They include vomiting, rapid heart beat, nausea, and drowsiness. Also, don’t take this herb in combination with sedatives.

Panax Ginseng - This herb, also called Korean Ginseng, is one of the best herbal remedies for anxiety in my opinion. It’s considered an adaptogen. This means that it helps the body adapt to stressful and anxious situations. Consult your doctor before taking this herb if you have high blood pressure.

Any of these herbal remedies for anxiety will help to alleviate the symptoms and will have a calming affect on you. When combined with deep breathing and aromatherapy you will find the anxiety melting away.