Herbs for Anxiety

Here is a list of herbs for anxiety. You can use these anxiety herbs as an alternative herbal treatment for anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety, situational anxiety and panic attacks.

Pilot studies suggest that rhodiola rosea has the potential to reduce anxiety and depression, improve mood and overcome fatigue.

Lemon balm or melissa officinalis has sedative properties which can help calm a person's nerves and relieve stress. You can drink a cup of lemon balm tea, take it as a daily supplement, diffuse lemon balm essential oil or add a few drops to a warm bath to give you the calming effect.

Kava kava herb also has mild sedative properties. According to a trial done at the University of Queensland on 60 people with chronic levels of anxiety, kava extract has shown to provide a natural alternative for the treatment of anxiety.

Just like lemon balm and kava, valerian root produces a sedative effect. It is known as a stress reducer and for anxiety relief. It is also a natural sleep herb and has been used as an alternative to sleeping pills.

A controlled research reported that a chamomile extract therapy done on patients with generalized anxiety disorder or GAD produced positive results by reducing the symptoms.

Taking ginseng supplement may help you feel rejuvenated. It is one of the herbs for anxiety that may help increase your body's resistance to stress, trauma and the anxious feeling because of its adaptogenic properties.

Some herbalists refer to gotu kola as the brain tonic. This herb may help relax the body, balance moods and reduce anxiety and stress.

St John's Wort is another one of the herbs for anxiety that may help maintain mood stability especially during menstrual and premenstrual periods and also menopause.

Ashwagandha or also known as the Indian ginseng is an adaptogenic herb and is used as a natural antidepressant. This herb is able to recharge the adrenal glands, balance the levels of cortisol and help your body cope with emotional changes.

A deficiency in GABA is one of the causes of anxiety disorder such as panic attacks. A preliminary study indicates that passionflower herb may be effective in treating the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder of GAD. The effectiveness of passionflower as a natural remedy for anxiety is due to the presence of natural chemicals that are able to increase GABA or gamma aminobutyric acid in the brain.

According to an in vivo animal study, the American skullcap herb or scutellaria lateriflora is another herb used for treating the symptoms of anxiety because of its sedative and relaxing effects.

Other herbs that have been traditionally used as anxiety herbs are catnip herb, hops, lavender wild jujube herb, wood betony and anacardium.

These herbs are available as supplements in the form of liquid extract, capsules, tablets, tinctures and herbal teas. You can also buy the whole and dried herbs to make your own tea. Other ways to use the herbs for anxiety is to buy pure aromatherapy essential oil, diffuse it and inhale the scent, use it as massage oil or add it to your bath. Click the link to find out other alternative and natural remedies for anxiety.

Even though these herbs for anxiety have the potential to treat the symptoms of anxiety, always check with your doctor first before taking them to avoid interactions. It is especially necessary to seek professional advice if you are taking prescription medication or anti depressants, are pregnant or breastfeeding or have a medical problem.

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