Wednesday, February 4, 2009

What Are 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 doesn't mean that herbal remedies come with no side effects at all. These anxiety herbs definitely do have side effects, they're just more mild. Still, you should be cautious whenever you start to take any new supplement. Talk to your doctor or your pharmacist before you take anything new.

Valerian

Valerian has a strong reputation as a sleep aid. It can help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep for the whole night. It can also be used during the day as an aid in calming and controlling the effects of stress and anxiety.

Kava

Kava, also known as Kava Kava, has been called "nature's answer to stress." It comes to us by way of Oceania and the South Pacific where it has a long history. It's been used in Polynesia, for instance, for many years as the beverage of choice for relaxation. It's also widely used in Europe to treat both insomnia and anxiety.

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

This herb, native to the new world, was found to be both a useful aid to digestion as well as a strong sedative. The early pilgrims to America used it as a natural tranquilizer and today it works just as well.

Wrapping Up

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 the easiest to take while the extracts may be the most flexible; you can add them to just about any of your meals or beverages. Teas can be very flavorful and can give you more enjoyment. But whatever you choose, you'll be getting some serious help from these anxiety herbs, help that can ease your anxiety and stress. - 16004

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