How to Use Herbs to Treat Anxiety

Reduce anxiety with herbs.

In today’s world, stress is commonplace as deadlines loom, financial problems take center stage and time does not permit you to accomplish all your tasks. Medical researchers devise drugs to alter your brain chemicals when anxiety threatens your sanity. Luckily, nature provides its own remedies to manage your stress level.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• St. John's wort
• Siberian ginseng
• Kava kava
• Ginkgo biloba
• Chamomile tea

1. Consider supplementing your diet with St. John’s wort. Used widely in Europe, St John’s wort is as effective as some prescription medications in treating depression and the accompanying anxiety, according to the British Medical Journal.

2. Follow Asian practitioners of folk medicine in treating anxiety with Siberian ginseng. According to Russian researchers, ginseng stabilizes both high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels, decreasing the fluctuation of mood swings. In addition, ginseng, taken on a regular basis may increase endurance.

3. Treat those frazzled nerves with kava kava. Available as a tea or in capsule form, this herb alleviates anxiety and restlessness. As a bonus, kava kava reduces insomnia, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep without leaving you feeling drowsy in the morning.

4. Increase your circulation with ginkgo biloba to improve your mood. When your brain receives an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients from your bloodstream, your outlook may be rosier.

5. End a nerve-wracking day with a cup of hot, soothing chamomile tea. Well known for its relaxing properties, chamomile tea has a pleasant taste and the added benefit of settling an upset stomach.

Tips & Warnings

• In addition to the above herbal treatments for anxiety, consider cutting coffee out of your diet. Caffeine makes some people jittery.

• Start an exercise program. Using your body’s natural ability to fight anxiety and stress, a regular exercise routine will boost your endorphin levels, which in turn will boost your mood.

Resources

• Read this Article in Portuguese