Herbal remedies for anxiety

A friend of mine shared this on Facebook.  It is from the website Nature Hacks.

Anxiety often robs a person of the normal joys and pleasures of life. So much focus may be placed on the things which cause anxiety that it can be difficult for those who suffer from anxiety disorders and panic attacks to relax and enjoy their employment, their family or their friends. Thankfully, there are a number of herbal remedies and alternative therapies available to help reduce anxiety and restore full enjoyment of life.

There has been a good deal written about Kava. In fact, research has shown that it is an effective treatment for anxiety; however there are grave concerns regarding the safety of Kava. It has been connected with liver failure and more research is needed to guarantee its safety. In 2002 the Federal and Drug Administration (FDA) issued strong warnings about the use of Kava and some countries have banned its use altogether.

Even though the safety of Kava is in question, there are other herbal remedies that have been proven both safe and effective in treating anxiety disorder and panic attacks.
 
Passionflower:
This central nervous system depressant provides an overall feeling of calm. It is ideal for use both during the day and in the evening when sudden anxiety may set in or when waking from a nightmare. Passionflower also helps with anxiety-related conditions like insomnia and gastrointestinal disorder. A word of warning though for those using a MAO inhibitor: Speak first with a trusted medical professional before taking passionflower.
 
Valerian:
Probably the best known of all the anti-anxiety herbals, valerian impacts a person in much the same way as Valium, but without the side-effects and addictive qualities. Valerian relaxes the muscles making it easier to sleep and is therefore ideal for those looking to improve the quality of rest they get each night.
 
Lemon Balm: Another safe and effective herbal remedy for anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Lemon balm is known to reduce anxiety and improve sleep.
 
Green Tea:
Brimming with antioxidants this herbal remedy is known to reduce signs of aging, aide in weight loss, improve heart health, boost the immune system, and even protect against cancer. In addition, green tea contains Theanine which is proven to be both safe and effective at reducing stress and relieving anxiety.

Natural alternative to Alzrazolam (Xanax) for anxiety

Source: Prevention

Key Statistics: Women are 60% more likely than men to experience an anxiety disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.  

Natural Remedy: Write It Out. Anxious feelings may start out small but can spiral out of control. Each time you have an anxious thought about a certain situation (such as speaking in front of your managers at work), physical sensations such as butterflies in your stomach or nausea may accompany it, setting off a vicious cycle. Journaling can help you better understand what triggers your anxiety and what helps it, says Nomita Sonty, PhD, associate clinical professor at Columbia University. Here are her tips for keeping a journal:

• Take 10 to 15 minutes every day to write about your experiences, including your anxious ones.
• Start by asking yourself: What happened to me today? What triggered nervous feelings?
• Then note how you reacted to those feelings. (Believing that the worst would happen magnifies feelings of anxiety.)
• Finish by recording how you dealt with it and how it made you feel. For example, if you drank alcohol to help curb your anxiety but ended up feeling worse later, write that down. Or if you notice that each time you got anxious you went for a walk and felt better, write that down too.

“Journaling about your thoughts, feelings, and actions can help you become more aware because you can look back at your entries, so it’s easier to identify your triggers and patterns of behavior,” says Dr. Sonty.
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I used to do this a long time ago and it did help somewhat.  Mostly it helped me create this list of causes and this list of coping mechanisms.  I don't have panic attacks as much anymore but do take medication for it.  I think it would be a good idea for me to start doing this again when the anxious moments arise.  Definitely cannot hurt and if I learn something from it then it is most definitely worth it. 

Natural alternative to Sertraline HCL (Zoloft) for depression

Read more at Prevention.

Key Statistics: Women are 70% more likely than men to suffer from depression, reports the National Institute of Mental Health.  

Natural Remedy: Put More Fish on Your Dish. Some research finds that fish oil can have an anti-depressant effect. “Studies show that eating omega-3 rich seafood two or more times a week may be linked with a 50 percent lower rate of depression,” says Dr. Miller. She points to Iceland, where they eat a hefty 225 pounds of cold-water fish such as char, herring and cod per person per year—and have surprisingly low rates of seasonal affective disorder and depression despite long, dark winters. By contrast, Americans average out at 48 pounds of fish per person. To get your dose of omega-3s, try having a daily teaspoon of cod liver oil. Dr. Teitelbaum recommends also recommends 1 capsule of Vectomega daily. Or make an effort to eat low-mercury fish (high-mercury swimmers such as swordfish have been linked to birth defects) twice a week. Go for grilled salmon when ordering at restaurants, or make your own light tuna salad by mixing low-mercury canned tuna, such as Fishing Vessel St. Jude (find out where to buy at www.tunatuna.com), with greens and 2 tablespoons reduced-fat olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. Sardines are another great choice, says Dr. Miller. “If you are not a fish lover you can still get your omega-3s by eating leafy greens, seeds such as flax or pumpkin, walnuts, and free range meats and dairy, ” Dr. Miller adds. 
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I'm always looking for natural alternatives to my medication.  I know that my depression is strong and great enough that I'll probably never be able to be off my medication but anything that can give me a little boost is worth checking out further.  So I'm going to do this.  If I notice that it is working, I will definitely report back to spread the word.