Herbal Remedies for Anxiety

Herbal Remedies for Anxiety

Anxiety or nervousness is a worry or uneasiness about something about to happen. Anxiety can occur due to apprehension about something like a forthcoming exam but requires a solution if it is persistent and interferes with daily activities. Herbal remedies are worth trying because they are natural and work favorably within the body due to lack or minor side effects. Herbal remedies for anxiety medicine is cheaper and forces "listening" of the body to target the source of the problem instead of masking symptoms.

  1. Lavender

Lavender is a famous aromatherapeutic herb that helps to diminish anxiety enhance sleep and mood. Lavender is from a Latin root lavare, meaning wash, possibly because it is popular in baths for body purification. Lavender capacity for herbal anxiety relief has been sampled for many years. A double-blind, randomized study in 2010 showed that lavender could reduce anxiety symptoms for people with generalized anxiety disorder effectively as Ativan. Another study showed lavender essential oil helped to reduce test anxiety among nursing students.

Lavender has a variety of active compounds that offer various benefits, including compounds with anti-anxiety and sedative effects. A 2019 review analyzing over 100 studies went through analysis to determine the effect of lavender on anxiety. The reports from many studies were that various lavender administrations, especially oral supplementation caused a positive effect on the anxiety levels. Lavender aromatherapy showed promising results. Studies showed that lavender could help to reduce anxiety when someone uses 80-160mg every day. In addition, it helps to remedy insomnia, fatigue, and depression.

  1. Lemon Balm

Lemon member is a mint family member that has been in use for many years from the middle ages to combat anxiety and stress. The users also used it to improve digestion and promote sleep. The body generally tolerates lemon balm. A 2014 research suggests that lemon balm also helps to improve cognition in addition to anti-anxiety benefits. StudyTrusted Source in 2018 investigated the effectiveness of lemon balm as one of herbal remedies for anxiety in people with insomnia. The participants in the study got lemon balm at night for four weeks. The results showed decreased levels of anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

Eighteen volunteers in another double-blind study controlled by placebo got two separate doses of a standardized lemon balm extract for seven days. They got either 300 or 600 mg. Those who got 600mg lemon balm dose had elevated mood that increased calmness and alertness. Another study documented that lemon balm used with other herbal preparations helps to reduce anxiety. Participants demonstrated increases in activities related to relaxation after taking lemon balm in the form of lozenges. Studies show that supplements with 1,000 mg of lemon balm help to ease symptoms of anxiety.

  1. Chamomile

 Chamomile is a widely used ancient medicinal herb that helps treat various ailments, including hay fever, hemorrhoids, gastrointestinal disorders, and muscle spasms. It is also a mild tranquilizer because it contains Apigenin, a compound that binds benzodiazepine receptors. It has similar effects to an anti-anxiety medication called benzodiazepines.

Chamomile contains a variety of beneficial compounds that promote relaxation, especially for people with anxiety. Many people use the herb as tea without caffeine, although some people with generalized anxiety disorder and searching for herbal anxiety relief take it in pharmaceutical-grade doses. Chamomile improves anxiety due to its effects on the anxiety symptoms more than a biochemical response that it can create. Chamomile improves anxiety symptoms like irritability and insomnia by relaxing the muscles, reducing blood pressure, and improving sleep.

  1. Valerian

Since the second century, Valerian has been an anxiety and insomnia treatment, but it became popular in the 17th century. It is a herb that one can use as a supplement in tea form like chamomile. The Valerian plant contains active compounds with sedative properties that make it a herb to trim down anxiety.

Scientists believe that valerian as a herbal anxiety relief increases gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain, similar to brain-relaxing drugs like diazepam (valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). A 2019 study investigated if valerian root extract has an impact on functional brain activity. Participants got valerian or placebo supplements thrice a day in a 4-week study. EEG results showed that the group that used the valerian group demonstrated changes in the parts of the brain with a connection to stress and anxiety. Studies further show that using 100mg of valerian can change the brain′s chemistry and its relationship to anxiety and reduce nervousness. 

  1. Passionflower

Native Americans were the first to passionflower or maypop for medicinal purposes. They were using it to treat hysteria before settlers across America started to use it as a sedative. Researchers believe that passionflower increases relaxation by reducing the activity of some brain cells. Both happen because it increases levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid.

The Journal of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics published a study on the efficiency of the passionflower. It showed that its efficiency in treating anxiety problems in people with GAD was the same as Oxazepam (Serax) drug. It does not work fast like Oxazepam, but the advantage is that it interferes less with job performance than medicine. Another study showed that giving passionflower to patients waiting for surgery reduced anxiety among those who got a placebo. It also assisted in faster recovery from anesthesia.

Herbal remedies for anxiety are healthier and help take control of health, including reducing and eliminating anxiety without relying on prescription medications. A healthy lifestyle routine helps to optimize the benefits. They include practicing relaxation techniques like meditation, exercising 5 days a week, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep at night because inadequate sleep can cause anxiety. It is also essential to avoid nicotine, alcohol, and other harmful substances for herbal remedies to become beneficial.

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