Wednesday, February 25, 2009

What Are the Best Herbs for Anxiety?

By Stephen Jablonski

Herbs have been known to man for thousands of years. They were the first medicines ever used. And they provided the blueprint for the development of all of our modern drugs and drug therapies. Though they've been around for a long time, they're still useful and effective today, especially for the treatment of stress and anxiety.

One of the main benefits to herbal treatments for anxiety is the cost. Herbal treatments are almost always much less expensive than prescription drugs. But the benefits don't end there. The best herbs for anxiety will also have fewer and less severe side effects as well, making them safer to use. For instance, they're nonaddictive.

That's not to say there are no side effects. Every chemical action must also have a reaction (side effect) and every body reacts in its own way to herbs and other supplements. So you must be careful with any supplement you take. That's why I recommend that you not take any herbal remedy without first running it by your doctor or pharmacist. Now let's talk about the anxiety herbs themselves.

Valerian

Valerian has a strong reputation as a sleep aid. It can help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep for the whole night. It can also be used during the day as an aid in calming and controlling the effects of stress and anxiety.

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

St. John's Wort has been around for a very long time. It was first used in ancient Greece to treat depression. Over the years, its anti-anxiety properties have been discovered and put to use. You must be careful of the side effects of this herbal remedy however because St. John's Wort can interfere with the drugs you may already be taking.

Passion Flower

This herb, native to the new world, was found to be both a useful aid to digestion as well as a strong sedative. The early pilgrims to America used it as a natural tranquilizer and today it works just as well.

Wrapping Up

Most health food stores carry these herbs for anxiety so they're easy to find. They're sold in different forms too...teas, capsules, or liquid extracts, so you have many choices. It will probably take a little trial-and-error before you find the right form that works for you.

I personally find the teas to be the easiest to use. They're easy to make and I enjoy a cup of tea after dinner; it's part of a little pre-sleep routine I use to ease away the stress of the day. But you may find capsules or extracts more convenient for you. In any case, if you're looking for some help managing your stress and anxiety, these best herbs for anxiety can give you some amazing results. - 16650

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