Anxiety, Featured, Health Care, Herbal Remedies

8 Top Herbal Remedies For Social Anxiety

[toc]Social anxiety is a mental condition where a person feels deep anxiety regarding social interaction. He or she is awkward looking in front of other people and such as person does his or her best to avoid social interaction of any kind. Persons suffering from this mental health problem also feel physiological symptoms of anxiety such as breathlessness, difficulty in breathing, inability to stop sweating and a dry throat during the social interactions.

social anxiety

A person can be treated using medication and therapy for curing this problem. But, herbal remedies can often be an effective way out for people suffering from this condition. Herbs which can be used to treat this mental health condition include Valerian, Kava, Passionflower, Chamomile, Skullcap, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Green Tea and St. John’s Wort.


Best Herbal Remedies For Social Anxiety

Chamomile

Chamomile is known botanically as Matricaria Recutita. This nervine herb is a natural sedative and relaxant. It can soothe the person’s mind and ease tension and anxiety. Chamomile contains tannic acid and anthemic acid. Indigestion caused due to anxiety can also be treated using this herbal remedy. Chamomile is very effective for making the person relaxed and warding off the mental agitation characteristic of social anxiety.

You can make refreshing tea from the dried leaves of this herb and consume it regularly for relief from the mental and physical problems experienced during social anxiety. Chamomile tea can also be made using teabags available in the health stores. This herbal remedy should be avoided by persons who are allergic to flowers of the daisy variety such as Rag Weeds and Asters. Pregnant and nursing women should also avoid this herbal remedy as Chamomile can cause uterine contractions.

chamomile tea


Valerian

Valeriana Officinalis is the botanical name of this herb. It is most effective in relaxing the person while he or she is interacting with others in a social situation and therefore is a very good herbal cure for social anxiety. Valerian root also contains sedative properties which promote sound and restful sleep at night. As such, it is an effective remedy for people with all types of anxiety disorders including social anxiety.

Valerian also works as well as allopathic medication such as Valium in treating mental problems and mental illness. Valerian root extract can be taken by persons who suffer from moderate to severe social anxiety so as to rid them of mental agitation and worries.

valerian


Skullcap

Scutellaria Lateriflora is the botanical name of this herb. This herb is also called Baikal Skullcap. Skullcap contains flavanoids such as baicalin which relax the body and initiate anti-anxiety mechanisms in the human body. Due to this, Skullcap is a very effective herbal cure for anxiety problems such as social anxiety.

This herb is also known as Helmet Flower because of its helmet shaped blooms. In fact, Skullcap is also the name given to denote the helmets worn by European soldiers in medieval times. This herb can be taken in the form of an extract for good results.

skullcap


Green Tea

Green Tea is botanically known as Camellia Sinensis. Green Tea is full of antioxidants which bring relief from the stressors that cause social anxiety. Green Tea counters the physiological symptoms of social anxiety such as elevated heart rates and sweating palms. It also promotes calming neural activity in the brain.

Some of the other benefits of this herb are that it improves cardiovascular health and also lowers the impact of anxiety and stress on the human body. You can drink 3 to 4 cups of Green Tea in a day to lower stress levels and make yourself less anxious and more calm during social interactions.

green tea


Kava

Piper Methysticum is the botanical name assigned to this herb. Kava contains active ingredients called kavalactones or kavapryones which relax the body and calm the mind. This herb is native to Fiji. Popular in the South Pacific Islands for being used to brew drinks, this herb has a relaxant effect on the body without lessening mental or cognitive clarity in a person. Kava is used in Asian nations such as Indonesia to make salads and dishes.

Kava leaves can be steeped in hot water for 3 hours and then the liquid can be strained and drunk to get relief from social anxiety. Kava leaves can also be added to dishes and salads for good results.

kava


Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is known in Latin as Melissa Officinalis. This herb is rich in anxiety relieving terpenes which makes it an ideal cure for social anxiety. Lemon Balm is a soothing relaxant which calms the person in the presence of others. Regular intake of Lemon Balm tea will make a socially anxious person more calm and confident while meeting and speaking with other people.

This herb also has a aromatic smell which makes the person feel pleasant and relaxed. Lemon Balm can even be combined with other herbs such as Valerian to make a socially anxious individual more in control of his or her anxiety and the mental as well as physical symptoms accompanying it.

lemon balm


Lavender

Lavandula Augustifolia or Lavender is a herb with anxiety relieving properties. Lavender oil can be used to massage the body of the person suffering from social anxiety. Lavender oil relaxes the body and eases constriction in the muscles. You can also add a few drops of Lavender oil in a vaporizer and inhale its steam for soothing the mind and easing tension from the body.

Lavender oil can also be added to the bath water and you can take a healing bath to make you more at peace with your emotions, if you are a socially anxious person. Lavender has an aromatic and uplifting fragrance which also makes a person feel happier and less worried.

lavender oil


Passionflower

Known botanically as Passiflora Incarnata, Passionflower is a good herbal remedy for social anxiety. This herb makes a person feel less tense. It relaxes the body and gives the person much needed relief from stressful,anxiety provoking thoughts and emotions when immersed in social situations. Passionflower can be taken in the form of extract, supplement or capsule for beneficial results.

Passionflower tea can also be taken for relief from anxiety. Flavones called chrysin which are found in this herb ease mental anxiety and the physical symptom accompanying it. Thus, Passionflower is an ideal remedy for socially anxious persons.

passion flower