Anxiety is very wide spread today due to our busy lifestyle and poor eating habits and although it’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, if you feel anxious without a reason and if these worries persist and affect your day to day life, you may have generalized anxiety disorder. Symptoms may include restlessness, feeling tense or on edge, irritability, impatience, or poor concentration. People may also notice changes in their physical health such as headaches, jaw pain, muscle tension, difficulty falling or staying asleep, dry mouth, fatigue, chest tightness, indigestion, bloating, excessive sweating and headache.
Natural Remedies for Anxiety
Listed below are some of the natural remedies that are being explored for anxiety:
Natural Remedy #1: Passionflower Herbal Remedy
One of the natural cures for anxiety is passionflower, considered to be an herbal remedy, otherwise known as naturopathy. Two studies involving 198 people examined the effectiveness of passionflower as an herbal remedy, a natural cure for anxiety. One study found this herbal remedy to be comparable to benzodiazepine drug health supplement. There was also improvement in job performance with using passionflower as a natural cure for anxiety and there was also less drowsiness with passionflower as a natural remedy compared with the drug supplement mexazolam, however, neither was statistically significant.
Natural Remedy #2: Body Work
Bodywork such as massage therapy, shiatsu, and other forms of bodywork are widely used as a natural remedy to diminish muscle tension, relieve stress, and improve sleep.
Natural Remedy #3: Mind/Body Techniques
Mind/body breathing exercises, physical exercise, yoga, tai chi, self-hypnosis, meditation, and biofeedback are just some of the natural remedies used for anxiety.
Natural Remedy #4: Valerian Herbal Remedy
Another naturopathic home remedy considered as a natural cure for anxiety is the herb valerian which is best known as an herbal remedy for insomnia. This herbal remedy is usually taken an hour before bedtime. It takes about two to three weeks to work and shouldn’t be used for more than three months at a time. Side effects of this herbal remedy may include mild indigestion, headache, palpitations, and dizziness. And although valerian tea and liquid extracts are available in health food stores, most people don’t like the smell of valerian and prefer taking the capsule form of this herbal remedy.
Natural Remedy #5: Kava Herbal Remedy
Native to Polynesia, this herbal remedy has been found to have anti-anxiety effects in humans.The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), however, has issued an advisory to consumers about the potential risk of severe liver injury resulting from the use of dietary health supplements containing kava.
Natural Remedy #6: Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Health Supplements
GABA is an amino acid that is known to play a role in the physiology of anxiety. Some prescription drug supplements for anxiety work by affecting GABA receptors in the brain. The degree to which orally ingested GABA health supplements can reach the brain, however, is unknown.
Natural Remedy #7: Aromatherapy
Plant essential oils can be added to baths, massage oil, or infusers. Essential oils that are used as natural cures for anxiety and nervous tension are: bergamot, cypress, geranium, jasmine, lavender, melissa, neroli, rose, sandalwood, ylang-ylang. Lavender is the most common and forms the base of many relaxing blends.
Natural Remedy #8: Winter Cherry and Siberian Ginseng Herbal Remedies
Adrenal glands are very important in understanding anxiety since it is almost always a sign of adrenal fatigue or overload. Winter Cherry and Siberian Ginseng are two excellent herbal remedies that will support your adrenal glands and give you immediate relief. Winter cherry as an herbal remedy has been shown to have a sedating effect on the body and helps to rebuild the digestive and nervous system while siberian ginseng as an herbal remedy has been used traditionally to stimulate and nourish the adrenal glands and increase mental alertness.
Natural Remedy #9: Health Supplements to Support the Adrenal Glands
The following health supplements are also recommended as natural cures for anxiety by supporting the adrenal glands.
• Vitamin C (2,000-4,000 mg/day)
• Vitamin E w/mixed tocopherols (800 IU/day)
• Vitamin B100 complex
• Pantothenic acid (1200-1500 mg/day)
• Magnesium citrate (800-1200 mg)
• Liquid trace minerals
• Adrenal Glandular
Recommended Supplements to Take
The following supplements are know to aid in the fight against Anxiety. Keep in mind that not every nutrient or supplement you swallow is absorbed by your body! Please read carefully the tab on the top of this page called HEALTH RESOURCES! It will explain to you why it is important to take the right supplements and nutrients. Our recommendations below we feel will give you the best possible nutrients and supplements on the market!
Essential Nutrients and Herbs to Take:
Please check with your doctor before taking any supplements, and also read the warning labels on each product, especially if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In addition, read the labels carefully when giving your child any natural supplement, to ensure that it is safe to give a child.
