| Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health | | | | that cause drowsiness, may impair your ability to |
| problem, and include panic disorders, agoraphobia, | | | | operate a vehicle or heavy equipment. Do not take |
| generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and | | | | Kava Kava on a daily basis for more than four weeks |
| post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety disorders | | | | without consulting a health care provider. Take |
| develop due to an interplay between enviromnental | | | | frequent breaks from use. |
| and genetic factors. Cognitive behavior therapy is | | | | Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is most often used |
| useful for this disorder, as well as prescription anxiolytic | | | | for insomnia, but it can also be taken in the daytime to |
| drugs. | | | | reduce the effects of stress and anxiety. This herb is |
| However, many patients prefer a natural approach or | | | | often included in European formulas for heart |
| dislike the side effects of prescription drugs, and there | | | | palpitations, which often have anxiety as a component. |
| are many non-prescription supplements available to | | | | It is taken in capsule form, 500 mg daily, or 20-30 drops |
| help anxiety. Before starting natural supplements for an | | | | of tincture, or as a fresh tea. Passionflower, though it |
| anxiety problem, be sure to mention your concerns | | | | helps bring on natural sleep, does not have the |
| and get a general checkup from your doctor. | | | | sedative effects of many prescription sleeping pills. |
| Symptoms resembling anxiety and anxiety attacks | | | | Pulsatilla is a homeopathic remedy said to be most |
| can be caused by physical diseases such as hormone | | | | suitable for shy, hypersensitive people who tend to feel |
| imbalance, hyperthyroidism or cardiac arrhythmias. | | | | warm rather than cold. Homeopathic practitioners |
| However, if you are sure your problem is an anxiety | | | | recommend a 30C potency 2-4 times daily for relief of |
| disorder, the following supplements may be of help, | | | | acute symptoms, and 30C or 6C 1-2 times daily for |
| and often have fewer side effects than commercial | | | | chronic use. Homeopathic remedies use miniscule |
| pharmaceutical products. | | | | concentrations of compounds to "nudge" the body into |
| Chamomile tea is one of the best-known natural | | | | healing itself. They either help or they do not; there are |
| remedies for anxiety. Its affects the digestive tract and | | | | no toxic side effects. |
| the nervous system, thus it is helpful for people who | | | | Scullcup (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a relaxing and gentle |
| suffer from gastro-intestinal symptoms such as | | | | sedative for the central nervous system. It is very |
| cramps along with mental anxiety. It is recommended | | | | good for nervous tension and for nervous exhaustion |
| that patients drink fresh tea made with chamomile | | | | plus neurological and neuromotor problems. The dose |
| leaves, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of water, several | | | | is 10-20 drops of fresh plant tincture or 1-2 dropperfuls |
| times a day. It is also available in tinctures which can | | | | of dried plant tincture. Skullcap can also be sleep |
| be added to water. Chamomile capsules are | | | | inducing, but it is rarely habituating. |
| convenient to take along to work, and don't take as | | | | St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is commonly |
| long to brew as the tea. The usual dose is 250 to 500 | | | | used for depression, but helps anxiety as well. Use a |
| mg 3 to 4 times daily. | | | | 300 mg extract 3 times daily. Quality varies widely |
| Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a nerve tonic which also | | | | between brands; it is best to buy a product |
| has a restorative (adaptogenic) property. It has a | | | | standardized to contain 3-5% hyperforin and 0.3% |
| calming effect in cases of mild depression and anxiety, | | | | hypericin. It works by increasing the level of |
| and is also reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Damiana | | | | neurotransmitters in the central nervous system such |
| contains flavonoids that act on benzodiazepine and | | | | as serotonin and dopamine. Do not use this product if |
| GABA receptors. It exhibits anxiolytic activity, muscle | | | | also taking prescription antidepressants. |
| relaxation and sedation. Use 2-4 g of dried leaves | | | | Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has been used since |
| infused in a cup of boiling water; 2-3 cups are taken | | | | Greek and Roman times to promote sleep and |
| daily. Alternatively, 2-4 ml of a liquid extract or 3-4 | | | | relaxation. It can treat insomnia, anxiety, and stress |
| grams of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules taken | | | | related gastrointestinal upset. According to one theory, |
| twice daily can be substituted if desired. | | | | valerian affects the brain in a way similar to valium; |
| Damiana has demonstrated mild hypoglycemic effects | | | | while another theory holds that valerian contains |
| in animal studies. Patients with diabetes and | | | | GABA, a neurotransmitter which has a calming affect |
| hypoglycemia should use this plant with caution, and | | | | on the brain, or else influences the brain's natural |
| monitor blood sugar levels closely. Damiana has a | | | | production of GABA. Also, some reasearchers believe |
| traditional use as an abortive and is contraindicated | | | | that valerian affects serotonin levels in a manner |
| during pregnancy. | | | | similar to anitdepressant drugs such as Prozac. |
| Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) has a very quick | | | | If using valerian to treat insomnia, take the herb 30 to |
| calming effect on the nervous system and causes an | | | | 60 minutes before going to bed. It can be taken 2-4 |
| uplifting, euphoric feeling. It is also a muscle relaxant and | | | | times daily to help stress and anxiety. The |
| mild sedative. It is helps anxiety, tension, stress, irritability | | | | recommended dose of tincture is 30-60 drops, or a |
| and insomnia. Kava stops the mind from racing, often | | | | capsule or tablet of 300-500 mg. |
| a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder. The usual | | | | Some people feel groggy after taking valerian; if this |
| dose is 750 mg twice daily. Do not exceed 4 capsules | | | | occurs, lower the dose. Avoid hazardous activities |
| per day. | | | | while using valerian, and do not combine it with other |
| Kava Kava is a traditional Polynesian remedy, and | | | | sedatives, antidepressants or alcohol. Do not take |
| while it has been used safely by Polynesians for | | | | valerian for more than 3 weeks, as it can be |
| centuries, now that it has become popular worldwide it | | | | habituating. |
| has been linked to some cases of liver failure in people | | | | Verbena (Verbena officinalis) is a relaxing nervous |
| of other ethnic groups who have difficulty metabolizing | | | | system tonic indicated for a wide range of nervous |
| it. Ask a health care professional before use if you | | | | disorders including nervous exhaustion and stress. As |
| have a history of liver problems, frequently use | | | | a tincture, use 2-4 mls up to 4 times daily. Avoid use |
| alcoholic beverages, or are taking any medication. Stop | | | | during pregnancy as this herb is a uterine stimulant. |
| and see a doctor if you develop symptoms that may | | | | Withania (Withania somnifera) is an ayurvedic herb |
| signal liver problems (e.g., unexplained fatigue, abdominal | | | | sold under the name Ashwaghanda. It is a very good |
| pain, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, dark urine, pale | | | | tonic herb that is especially helpful for debility and |
| stools, yellow eyes or skin). | | | | nervous exhaustion due to stress. It has steriodal, |
| Do not use kava kava if less than 18 years of age, or | | | | adaptogenic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. |
| if pregnant/breastfeeding. Do not combine with | | | | It is also useful for panic attacks and phobic disorders |
| alcoholic beverages, or prescription anxiolytics or | | | | such as agoraphobia. Use 1 tsp powder 3 times daily. |
| antidepressants . Excessive use, or use with products | | | | |