Herbal Treatment For Anxiety
From the butterflies in your stomach prior to an event, to the anxiousness to go to the dentist, anxiety can manifest in many forms. Although it's natural to feel anxious at times, prolonged anxiety can lead to health problems.
Herbal treatments can ease anxiety symptoms. As with prescription drugs it is crucial to consult your physician before adding any herbal supplements to your routine.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a flowering plant that is used to treat many health problems, including anxiety and insomnia. It's also used to treat skin conditions and is a mild sedative. Chamomile can be a useful way to reduce stress and anxiety. It is also beneficial for treating digestive problems. It is believed to relieve gastroesophageal acid-reflux disease and Indigestion. It is also effective in reducing stomach spasms which cause diarrhea.
Various studies have shown that chamomile can improve sleep and reduce anxiety symptoms. In a study of a limited size published in the journal Phytomedicine in 2016, chamomile proved to be a reliable long-term treatment for the generalized anxiety disorder. Researchers found that chamomile did reduce the severity of GAD however it was not able to eliminate it completely. It has also been found to improve symptoms of PTSD and phobias.
This herb has been used for centuries, and can have a calming effect on the mind and body. It is available in the form of tea or capsules and is a great remedy for insomnia as well as other conditions such as stomach and depression. It is a natural treatment for anxiety and can be used in conjunction with other herbs such as valerian.
Chamomile can have side effects, such as drowsiness and headaches, and may interact with other medications. It's important to talk to your doctor before combining herbal treatments or starting an entirely new medication, especially when you're taking prescription drugs.
I Am Psychiatry for anxiety that can be used to treat various conditions is passionflower. It's a more potent remedy than the chamomile and has been proven to reduce anxiety and insomnia. It also works for treating nervous disorders and headaches, as well blood-related ailments like hypertension. Passionflower is often used in conjunction with chamomile for more severe anxiety.
Like chamomile, this plant can be used in tea or capsules. It can be purchased at most major health food stores and is available on the internet. It's also known to prevent bone loss and boost the immune system's function, but these claims have not been confirmed by scientific evidence.
Passionflower
Passionflower has been used by herbalists since ancient times to ease tension and promote tranquility. It contains a cocktail phytochemicals, including flavonoids and alkaloids. Sterols, maltol and sterols, which have calming effects on the muscles, the nervous system and mind. It has also been proven to be effective in reducing anxiety levels, based on nine clinical studies. These studies examined the effects of Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower) preparations on anxiety levels during medical procedures like spinal anesthesia or dental surgery and on the quality of sleep. In the studies that were studied drops, syrups, and tablets containing passionflower extracts, were used.
The sedative properties of the plant are believed to be derived from flavonoids, which have been shown in animal studies to interact to receptors in the brain that increase the amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This neurotransmitter blocks certain brain signals, resulting in a sense calm. Furthermore, studies have revealed that passionflower can reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder.
Many health food stores as well as online offer it as capsules or tea. It can be taken at any time of day, however it's recommended to consume it an hour prior to the time of bed. Tea can be prepared with dried or prepackaged herb in boiling water. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Passionflower may cause dizziness and confusion in some individuals, but they are typically mild adverse effects.
To minimize the risk of adverse effects, it is important to be careful when choosing your supplements and follow the recommended dosages. Generally, you should not exceed 3.5 grams of extract of passionflower daily over a two-day period. A higher amount could result in dangerous side-effects like ataxia, or difficulty moving. This herb is not recommended for pregnant women as it can trigger contractions in the uterus. The herb is not recommended to be used in conjunction with some medicines, and it could interact with alcohol. If you are taking any medication, check with your doctor prior to attempting this herb.
Valerian
Valerian root is a well-known herbal remedy for sleep, but it can also aid in relieving anxiety. It functions as a mild sedative, and increases the levels of a chemical within the brain called GABA which can help reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. The herb can also improve the quality of sleep reduce menstrual cramps, stomach pain, and ease tension in the muscles.
Researchers aren't certain of how valerian root works, but they believe it could interact with neurotransmitters in the brain to lessen anxiety and stress. It is believed to work by binding with gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABA) in the brain and causing them become more active. This is similar to method prescription drugs like diazepam and alprazolam function.
The plant contains volatile oils and lignans that can increase serotonin, adenosine, and other chemicals that regulate the state of mind and sleepiness. Also, it contains valerenic acids which block GABA breakdown and raise GABA levels. This creates relaxation. It has been shown to be effective as a sleep aid in numerous studies, including one double-blind, placebo controlled trial that involved people suffering from insomnia. consumed either 400 mg of a valerian/hops mixture or a placebo. The treatment improved the participants in their subjective sleep experience and reduced their sleep duration.
The research is promising, but more research is needed to understand the mechanisms of action. Many studies use small samples and inconsistent dosing regimens making it difficult to generalize the results. In addition, the herb can cause drowsiness, so it is important not to take them when driving or doing dangerous activities.
Before taking any herbal supplements, make sure to speak with your doctor. It is also important to ensure that you're purchasing quality supplements and herbs from trustworthy companies. You should be aware that some supplements and herbs haven't been thoroughly tested. Always read the labels and stay clear of products that are not regulated by FDA. If your anxiety symptoms continue, you might look into psychological counseling (psychotherapy) to develop coping skills that can help reduce the symptoms.
St John's Wort
St John's wort is also known as Hypericum perforatum, is an herb that has antidepressant action. It can help alleviate mild to moderate depression symptoms, and some individuals with those conditions may also have anxiety. But it hasn't been proven effective in treating anxiety disorder on its own. St John's Wort can also reduce the effectiveness of certain medications, including birth control pills, medicines used to prevent rejection of organ transplants, and certain heart medicines. Consult your physician about it before you start taking it.
St John's Wort is available in herbal teas and capsules. It is recommended to purchase it from a trusted retailer and use it under physician's supervision. It's not a safe medication for children, pregnant women or those who are elderly. Some sufferers may experience adverse effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If you experience any adverse effects, stop using St John's Wort and consult with your doctor.
Besides its positive effects on mental health, St John's wort is used to treat a variety of ailments, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome pain that is transmitted through the sciatic nerve of the leg (called neuropathy) as well as burns, shingles and irritable bowel disorder. It is also used to aid in quitting smoking, and ease menstrual cramps and swelling.
Some studies suggest St John's Wort can boost mood even for those who don't have a mental illness. But it's not clear whether this is because of changes in emotional processing or due to a different impact, such as aiding people in remembering things better.
Some evidence suggests that St John's wort can relieve some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders, like anxiety and feeling overwhelmed. It might also help with social phobia and obsessive compulsive disorder however more research is needed to be sure.