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5 Herbs That Can Help In Easing Your Anxiety

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Rebecca Siggers
5 Herbs That Can Help In Easing Your Anxiety

Did you know that anxiety is the most common mental illness in the U.S.? At least 18.1% of the U.S. adult population suffers from anxiety every year. This is about 40 million people, yet only 36.9% of these individuals seek treatment. Anxiety can have many effects on your health and can prevent you from living a fulfilling life. Some people don’t even realize that they suffer from anxiety and just take the symptoms as part of their normal behavior. What they may not know is how much it impacts their lives. 

It is advisable to seek treatment if you notice that you have anxiety symptoms. But treating anxiety isn’t easy, and some people don’t respond to conventional treatment. You can try alternative therapy if you realize that nothing seems to work. Cannabidiol (CBD), for example, has proved useful for many people. Search for a weed store near me and order some CBD for anxiety.

Other herbs that may help with anxiety include: 

 

Chamomile 

Chamomile is one of the most used herbal remedies. It’s a flowering plant that looks like a daisy flower. You may dismiss chamomile since it doesn’t have the strong odor associated with most herbal remedies, but it has strong calming effects.

Most people take chamomile in the form of tea to relieve stress and anxiety, but you can get it as an extract, tablet, or even skin cream. The tea is more effective and fast-acting. You may not even have heard of chamomile before, but functional-medicine practitioners estimate that people consume 1 million cups of chamomile daily. That’s how popular this herb is.

 

While it has many calming ingredients, the most potent chemical in chamomile is apigenin, which influences the neurotransmitter GABA. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate fear response.

Chamomile is effective for mild anxiety, but you can also use it for moderate anxiety. Just add 2 to 3 teaspoons of chamomile powder into a cup and add water. Steep for about 7 minutes and strain. You can drink it any time of the day when needed. 

 

Valerian

Valerian is native to Asia and Europe, where it has been used to manage anxiety, depression, and insomnia. But you can find valerian at your local health store in the form of tablets, tinctures, and powder for tea.

 

While many people use valerian to relieve anxiety and find it effective, there is little evidence to support its effectiveness. The herb has mild calming effects that could be effective for general mild anxiety. 

Sometimes, anxiety can result from poor sleep quality. Valerian’s calming effects can help you get better quality sleep and focus better the next day if you struggle to sleep. But if you have severe insomnia, you may have to take it for several weeks before you start to see effects. 

 

Ashwagandha

 

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which is a chemical that influences neurotransmitters and hormones that regulate stress response. Like many herbs, ashwagandha is a traditional herbal medicine used in India. Recent studies show that ashwagandha reduces the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. When you are anxious or stressed, the levels of cortisol shoot up. 

Often, naturally stressed or anxious people have an imbalance in cortisol production, with the body producing higher cortisol levels than usual. Ashwagandha doesn’t just help with anxiety; it also improves sleep quality. 

 

You can take ashwagandha in liquid tincture form or as a tablet. Because it has mild anti-anxiety effects, you may have to take higher doses to feel its effects.

 

Passionflower

 

Passionflower is rich in flavonoids and alkaloids that influence GABA, resulting in a calming effect. Most people find its effects to calm both the mind and body. It helps calm the body for anticipatory fear, which is a major cause of various anxiety forms. 

Passionflower can lower anxiety within 30 minutes of administration. This makes it a great relaxer if you suffer from conditions like stage fright. If you are about to perform a task that makes you anxious, you can just take a cup of passionflower 30 minutes before to help you relax.

 

Kava 

 

Kava is, perhaps, the most effective herb for anxiety. Its roots have significant anti-anxiety effects that match conventional anti-anxiety medication’s effectiveness but without the side effects. Kava is also fast-acting, and you can feel the calming effects in just 15 to 20 minutes. If your stress response kicks in, just drink some kava, and you will relax almost immediately.  The good thing about kaval is that it relaxes the muscles, which often exacerbate anxiety, without sedating your brain. 

Experts recommend using kava as an emergency remedy rather than a long-term treatment. The chemicals in kava could damage the liver when it’s used for extended periods. But if you are faced with stage fright or other forms of acute anxiety, it could be an excellent remedy. 

 

Conclusion

 

Herbal medicines are great when you know how to use them. However, some could carry potential side effects and need careful use. It is advisable to talk to your doctor or an alternative medicine expert before using any herbal medicine.  

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Rebecca Siggers
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