Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Best Herbs for Anxiety

By Stephen Jablonski

Herbs have been known to man for thousands of years. They were the first medicines ever used. And they provided the blueprint for the development of all of our modern drugs and drug therapies. Though they've been around for a long time, they're still useful and effective today, especially for the treatment of stress and anxiety.

Herbal treatments are less expensive than prescription medications and offer a cost effective alternative to drugs. Herbs for anxiety treatment also have fewer side effects and the side effects they do have are usually much less severe than their drug counterparts. That's because herbs are milder. Of course, this also means they work more slowly and take more time to be effective.

That's not to say there are no side effects. Every chemical action must also have a reaction (side effect) and every body reacts in its own way to herbs and other supplements. So you must be careful with any supplement you take. That's why I recommend that you not take any herbal remedy without first running it by your doctor or pharmacist. Now let's talk about the anxiety herbs themselves.

Valerian

Valerian has long been known as primarily an aid to deep, restful sleep. However it's calming effects can be used during the day as well. Small doses during the day can help control the nervous, anxious feelings you can get when faced with today's stressors.

Kava

Kava was first used in the South Pacific islands where it grows easily and abundantly. There it was cultivated into a relaxing beverage used in nearly every household. From there, it made its way to Europe and the West where it is used as an effective treatment for anxiety and insomnia.

St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort has been around for a very long time. It was first used in ancient Greece to treat depression. Over the years, its anti-anxiety properties have been discovered and put to use. You must be careful of the side effects of this herbal remedy however because St. John's Wort can interfere with the drugs you may already be taking.

Passion Flower

Passion Flower is a plant native to the Southeastern United States, parts of Argentina, and Brazil. It has been typically used as both an aid to digestion and as a natural tranquilizer. A small dose taken just before bedtime has been known to promote a restful sleep.

A Final Word

All of these herbs are useful in the treatment of anxiety disorders and you can find them in most health food stores. They come in different forms, capsules, liquid extracts, and teas. And while they all produce much the same effects generally, you may find that they each work a little differently on you. Which one works best will probably take a little trial and error.

Capsules are convenient. Extracts are very flexible. And teas are the best tasting and most enjoyable. But in any case, these best herbs for anxiety can become a significant tool for you to use to help manage your anxiety. - 15343

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