Natural Remedies for Anxiety & Stress

Everyone experiences anxiety and stress from time to time---a stalled car, a missed deadline, a silly argument with a friend. All of these situations can cause stress that at the moment may feel unbearable, but that eventually pass. However, if you suffer from chronic anxiety or stress, every day can feel unbearable. The pressure of constant tension and worry can exhaust you mentally and physically, making it difficult to accomplish even small tasks, much less attend to your family and job. Prescription medications have enjoyed much success in relieving chronic stress and anxiety, but if you are looking for a more natural solution, you do have options. But beware: never take any herb, vitamin or other supplement, especially if you are already on a prescribed medication, without consulting your doctor first.

Catnip Tea

Believe it or not, it's not just for kitty. According to HerbalRemediesInfo.com, catnip tea is useful for people with insomnia, and is even gentle enough for children. Used alone or in combination with other herbs, you can safely use catnip tea to induce a good night's sleep and awake in the morning feeling no aftereffects like headache or grogginess.

St. John's Wort

St. John's Wort has long been valued for it's antiviral and antibacterial properties, and has been used to treat gastrointestinal upset, influenza, rheumatism, shingles, headache, neuralgia, sciatica, back pain and fibrositis. According to naturopathic physician Andrew L. Rubman, research has shown that St. John's Wort also is quite effective in easing anxiety symptoms. The flowering herb, prescribed as an antidepressant medication in Germany, has the same serotonin-raising effect on the brain as traditionally prescribed antidepressants, resulting in a calming effect.

Valerian Root

Valerian root is a nonaddictive sedative that contains many of the same elements contained in the prescription drug valium, and relieves anxiety by inducing restful sleep, and by calming restlessness, emotional stress, tension headaches and nervous stomach cramps. According to NaturalPath.com, valerian root has been used for over 1,000 years to treat nerve disorders, earning kudos from herbalists for it's natural calming effect minus the side effects common with prescription medications.

Kava Kava

Kava kava, according to HerbalRemediesInfo.com, is a mild euphoriant and sedative that contains both antianxiety and muscle-relaxant properties. Available in tablet and tincture form, kava kava, according to Dr. Rubman, is approved in many European countries for use in the treatment of acute and chronic anxiety and insomnia. It is nonaddictive, and does not induce the drowsiness and "fuzziness" associated with prescription medications.

Passionflower

This purple and yellow herb is naturally soothing, possessing properties that relax muscle tension, lower blood pressure, ease anxiety, reduce pain and calm nerves. According to HerbalRemediesInfo.com, passionflower has also been used to successfully treat chronic insomnia, and has none of the bothersome side effects, like disorientation and depression, associated with some sleep medications.

Skullcap

Skullcap, according to HerbalRemediesInfo.com, is replete with minerals that support the human nervous system, and has long been used by herbalists and naturopathic physicians to treat headaches, exhaustion, insomnia, hysteria, nervous tension, agitation, anxiety, neurasthenia and depression. It has also proved useful in helping people to wean themselves off of antidepressants and tranquilizers by easing withdrawal symptoms.

Vitamin B Complex

Dr. Rubman recommends taking a daily vitamin B complex to soothe stress and anxiety, specifically one that contains vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and B12 . Research has demonstrated that people with depression have significantly low levels of vitamin B6, and that a deficiency in vitamin B3 (niacinamide) can cause severe depression, mental fatigue, anxiety, stress, and in untreated cases, dementia and psychosis. In addition, according to NaturalPath.com, studies indicate that vitamins B12, B1 (riboflavin) and B2 (thiamin) have been shown to elevate mood, soothe anxiety and depression, and regulate the body's stress response.

Resources

• National Institute of Mental Health: Anxiety Disorders
• The Natural Path