dkMommy Spot

Note:  Keep in mind I’m not a health professional.  The information I provide to you here is meant to be a stepping stone.  For more thorough information, please always search for a trusted doctor, qualified herbalist, or other health professional.

Not everything goes smoothly in life, but when you hit a personal bump in the road like anxiety disorder, it can all but derail you.  Everyone has periods of anxiousness or experiences raw nerves and sleepless nights from time to time, but for some of us anxiety hangs on, seemingly without any rational cause. Are there any herbs that can relieve anxiety?

My very first piece of advice is to seek professional help if you experience this anxiety for more than a few months.  Anxiety disorder can be very intense, and if you’ve ever experienced it, then you know.  While I do believe there are herbs that can help relieve symptoms, your best bet is to research these herbs beyond this article, then find a trusted professional (osteopathic doctors are often open to herb usage, but few MD’s are) and ask them if they think it will help.  Another wonderful option that has given many people help is neurofeedback. I highly recommend looking into that one as a chemical-free way to deal with many mental issues.  

There are several herbs that have been used through the generations to relieve the symptoms of anxiety.  Although it may sound rather simple, chamomile tea can certainly help calm an anxious person.  Taken one to three times daily, it even helps relieve allergy symptoms which have been known to exacerbate anxiety.  (Asthma is another anxiety and panic attack trigger.)  

We’ve all seen those annoying drug company commercials about how depression causes physical pain. This is actually true for many people.  Anxiety can cause physical pain as well.  But some people find a natural cure to this pain with kava, not to mention relief from anxiety and sleeplessness.  Maybe you’ve heard adverse things about kava, but these concerns are finally being put to rest.  To hear more about the issue, Herbal Ed has a great podcast that will tell you all about the benefits and safety of kava. Click the link and scroll down the page - there are three parts to the series and you’ll want to hear all of it - a fascinating podcast series.  

Another common herb for anxiety, as well as depression, is St. John’s wort.  I love this herb for many reasons and recently got the opportunity to harvest some in the wild.  A good St. John’s wort herb doesn’t smell very nice, but it is quite effective.  If you’re not prone to traipsing through the woods in search of your own herbs, St. John’s wort is readily available at health food stores.  But as with any herb, make sure you let your doctor know if you’re taking it.  If you’re already on any medications, in particular antidepressants, ask your doctor before you try any herbs.

While relieving anxiety may not always be simple, nature does provide several wonderful medicinal plants to aid us on our journey.  Learning what we can about these plants and natural remedies allows us to not only help ourselves but to pass that help onto others as well.  

September 11th, 2008 | Tags: anxiety disorder, herbal remedies, natural remedies for anxiety | Category: Herbalism, Mommy Care, Remedies | Subscribe to comments | Leave a comment | Trackback URL