Know of any herbal suppliments used for anxiety?!


Question: Know of any herbal suppliments used for anxiety.?
I'm going off my medication cause I can't afford it without insurance anymore...Health Question & Answer


Answers:
I've had times in my life where I was heavily sedated on drugs like Ativan, Buspirone, and anti-anxiety/antidpressant meds like Paxil and Wellbutrin. I have found herbal alternatives that work for me, and, have worked for others.

As I take it, what you are looking for is natural herbs that will calm the nervous system, which (not-ironically) are the same herbs that are used for insomnia, at lower dosage. I take it your depression is anxiety-related as is common when the duo arises, therefore taking anything that will calm the nervous system will too help your depression.

I highly recommend Valerian. You can find it (and most, if not all, of the herbs I'll mention in this post) in grocery stores near the organic foods (usually on the same aisle that sells herbal teas, etc.). Side effects are minimal, and in me, none.

I'll list the natural supplements I've tried in order of effectiveness (for me):

Kava Kava.
Most powerful herbal sedative I've tried. Brings intense calm with no lack in clarity of thought. The liver toxicity warnings are relevant but only at very very high doses. Try teas, Yogi Teas has a very good mix.

Valerian.
My personal favorite. Take the lowest effective dosage that will bring you the most calm without compromising awareness, since higher doses (though safe) are great for insomnia (but you're not trying to go to sleep from the Valerian :D). Extremely effective and a great overall sense of well-being. There is no hangover effect of lag or tiredness as is the norm of western medical stress/insomnia relievers over the counter and prescription.

Hops.
Many people associate hops with beer, and, well, they are right. It is the same ingredient that is brewed for beer, and, truly, as in its herbal form, is a great remedy for nervous anxiety, irritability, and IBS.

Passion flower.
Effective anti-spasmodic that offers a calm "mildly" sedating effect.

Scullcap/Skullcap.
Effective for anxiety, nervous tension, and tremor/convulsions, and has been effective for relieving tension headaches, anorexia nervosa, anxiety disorders, fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, insomnia, torette's syndrom, seizure/movement disorders.

Bacopa ("Waterhyssop" "Brahmi").
An Aryuvedic herb in which clinical research in lab animals shows promising results in same or greater effectiveness as Lorazepam with NO side-effects of amnesia or drowsiness. Human testing pending, however, research will discover that the claims are the same in humans.


There are great proprietary blends, but if you go with a blend, look for one (most of them are) that has Valerian as the main active ingredient, as it more than likely will be the ingredient that will bring you the most beneficial results (the others are good because they add a different *type* of calm and mental awareness).

Utilized alone, or in conjunction with other herbs, these herbs are all non-habit-forming, non-toxic, and are safe for most people, including children, but I must remind you to use caution when taking any medicine while on any pharmaceutical.

Take these herbs as pills, tincture, or tea (I do not recommend smoking them), it is a matter of preference. I enjoy them as herbal teas, as the warmth is inherently calming and relaxing.

Do not forget your B-vitamins. Often overlooked, yet essential.

Please use wisdom and research.

Do not overlook the benefits of meditation. Start 5-10 minutes and up to 15-20 minute sittings in the morning before you start your day. If there is a magical cure-it-all, it is meditation.
Health Question & Answer

Negative emotions (like sadness, stress, anger, etc.) causes your Serotonin production to be low; when your Serotonin level is low, you are more prone to getting Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, etc.

Medication like Antidepressants (SSRI - Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor) helps to boost Serotonin level.
But there are natural ways to do it without medication. There's this strange herb called "St John's Wort" - it is said to be more effective than Prozac. No, it is not for mild depression only and ignore those sayings. In fact, it does help anxiety and panic-attacks as St John's Wort works like prozac. Other natural ways will be exercise, diet, more exposure to light, etc.

The problem is that, even if your Serotonin is balanced... you have that "learned behavior" in your mind. You need to break that initial cycle to destroy that learned behavior - Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) does this. A technique that you can use without CBT will be Distraction... There are several other techniques to help cope them!
Ok, to use Distraction: Firstly, try to....

Extracted from Source.Health Question & Answer

Kava Kava is illegal in Canada so I cannot recommend it. Valerian Root smells like rotten flesh (I have used it so I know) unless you buy the coated pills.
The one supplement that I can recommend is L-Theanine ( a natural Amino Acid) that is extracted from Green Tea. It is amazing for anxiety. It is Non-Sedating and Non-Addictive.
Good Luck!Health Question & Answer

Bach's Rescue Remedy is always good to have on hand for attacks.

also the following nutrients are usually helpful:

Multivitamin & mineral complex
B-Complex
Vitamin C
(For nutritional balance and adrenal support)

Calcium 2000 mg daily - a natural tranquilizer
Magnesium 600 mg daily - relieves tension, spasms, tics
B-1 50mg 3 times daily - has a calming effect on the nerves.
B-6 50mg 3 times daily - important in the production of certain brain chemicals.
Zinc- 50 mg daily - can have a calming effect
Chromium Picolinate - 200 mcg. daily - Chromium deficiency can produce symptoms of anxiety.
Health Question & Answer

it can be managed wel by homoeopathy the safest natural way of medication
Anxiety:
Painful apprehensive uneasiness of mind
usually over impending anticipating ill.It can b felt under diff.cond.;when alone after eating/drinking
wid other physical n mental complains abt financial/bznss matter/in a particular environment.

Common in Yng adlts

Psychological Factors:As a result of failure
:A fear Response
Clinical Manifestations:Referable 2 N.Sys imbal n commonly include palpitations,shortness of breathlessness,dryness of mouth,heaviness of head,giddiness n blurring of vision,xcessive sweating particularly in palm and soles

Psychological Manifestations:Irritability n a morbid fear as if something dreadful is going happen.

Management:
Hospitalisation-acute anxiety.
Anxiolytics
Yoga and meditation

Homoeopathic Medicines:
Aur,Aur,Bry,Calc,Merc.c,Puls,Veratrum alb,Phos

It can be managed by having proper homoeopathic treatment/
u can go2 near by homoeopath/ u can feel free 2 contact me/
log on 2 www.health4all.co.inHealth Question & Answer

St. John's Wort or Valerian these are both good.
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/...
http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/Anxiet...
http://www.clarocet.com/resources/info/a...
http://www.anxiety-and-depression-soluti...
The sites are information purposes only.
Hope this helps.

Health Question & Answer

I've read that valerian root and valerian tea is good for anxiety. The capsules can be purchased at walmart. I've read to take 8 or 9 capsules which exceeds the recommended amount listed on the bottle in order to get the better results.Health Question & Answer

The best I know of is called Panicyl. It is an herbal supplement for anxiety disorders and you can get it without a prescription. It is the one I use and it works great.

Hope this helps!Health Question & Answer

kava kava, I haven't used any of it personally but it's in my medicine cabnet, I was told by my doctor that it's mild and works great. Health Question & Answer

I take 5-HTP, I've also taken St.John's Wort, Sam-E, all have worked pretty well, I'm just bad about remembering to take them!. (don't take them all together!)Health Question & Answer

My husband takes Relora, SAM-e, and valerian root is very helpful also.Health Question & Answer



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