Friday, February 27, 2009

Stress Relief - The Best Herbs for Anxiety

By Stephen Jablonski

Are there any so-called "anxiety herbs?" In a word, yes. There are many herbs that have been known to man for 100's of years and several of them have been useful in treating 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 is a powerful anxiety herb. You can use it in the daytime to manage your stress and anxiety. You can also use it at nighttime to calm you down after a long day. And to help you get a restful, full night's sleep.

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

One of the oldest anxiety herbs known to man, St. John's Wort has been used for over 2000 years. While it's quite effective at reducing small to moderate anxiety, it also comes with more pronounced side effects than other herbal remedies. In particular, it can interfere with other drugs that you might be taking, so you need to exercise more care when using this herb.

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.

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 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. - 15255

About the Author: