Herbal Cure For Anxiety

4 October, 2011 No Comment

Anxiety is a common psychological disorder that frequently requires long-term treatment. However, prolonged intake of conventional anxiolytic drugs could produce adverse physical and behavioral side effects. With the rising incidence of generalized anxiety disorder worldwide, we often look for alternative safer anti-anxiety therapies.

For centuries, certain herbs have helped to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. The anxiolytic effect of herbs in curing anxiety has been demonstrated in experimental studies and clinical trials.

Herbal Cure for Anxiety

Passionflower

Passionflower is widely recommended in folk medicines for attenuating the symptoms of anxiety-related disorders. It is used for reducing nervousness and restlessness. Anxiety causes sleep disturbance. Passionflower also functions as an herbal sedative. Clinical trials with passionflower suggest that consuming a cup of passionflower tea daily, helps to improve sleep within a week. Sound sleep reduces anxiety naturally.

Kava

In many cultures, an intoxicating drink prepared with kava is consumed for reducing restlessness and anxiety, and improving sleep. The anxiolytic property of kava has been demonstrated in studies. Unlike conventional anti-anxiety drugs, this natural anxiolytic does not cause mental impairment. Kava could attenuate primary as well as secondary anxiety disorders. Inability to manage stress leads to primary anxiety. Prevalence of an underlying health disorder leads to secondary anxiety. Kava is usually well tolerated. Rarely, it causes liver damage. Risk of liver damage is especially higher among people who take kava for a prolonged period or consume large doses of the herb.

St. John’s wort

The flowers of Hypericum perforatum, commonly known as St John’s wort, are used in folk medicines for treating anxiety. The components present in St. John’s wort help to balance the neurochemicals in the brain. By improving the activities of dopamine and serotonin, it helps to regulate the mood. In approximately 85% people diagnosed with generalized anxiety, depression accompanies anxiety. Mild to moderate depression could be treated with St. John’s wort. This natural anti-anxiety herb might help to reverse the adverse changes in the brain induced by elevated level of stress hormone.

Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba is a natural anti-anxiety agent. This medicinal herb also helps to maintain the normal cognitive function in people suffering from anxiety and stress. Anxiety could lead to cognitive impairment. People with generalized anxiety disorder frequently have trouble in recalling information. Risk of memory loss owing to chronic anxiety might be prevented with Ginkgo biloba.

Lavender

Lavender oil is used in traditional medicine systems for reducing anxiety. The aroma of the essential oil extracted from lavender helps to calm the mind. Studies suggest that this natural anxiolytic helps to reverse changes that occur in specific regions of the brain following anxiety.

Lemon balm

Lemon balm helps to reduce anxiety and restlessness. The anti-anxiety herb helps to calm the mind, by normalizing the activities of the brain tissues. It also helps to reduce secretion of stress hormone.

Valerian

Valerian is a popular herb used for treating anxiety disorders. It could help to heal mental disorders such as social phobia, panic disorders, posttraumatic stress disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder in which anxiety is the primary symptom.