Anxiety Herbal Medicine: Helping in a Natural Way

At present, anxiety is rated as one of the most common problems in the United States, affecting nearly 40 million Americans. Symptoms of anxiety include feelings of panic and doom, rapid breathing, tightness in the chest, nausea, diarrhea, and frequent urination. There are common treatments for the condition such as psychotherapy and prescription medication; however, many herbal remedies are available at your corner drug store and maybe right at your own garden.

Among the most commonly used herbal remedies are Valerian root, Kava Kava, Chamomile, Lavender, and Peppermint. These extracts can be purchased in tablet form or as herbal teas at most drug and grocery stores. Health food stores will usually offer these remedies as ground or crushed herbs with which you can brew your own teas. Here are a few facts to learn about this anxiety herbal medicine remedies.

Valerian root

Valerian root is available as tablet, herb or tea which should be taken shortly before bedtime. Most professionals believe that it is safe for short-term use. To brew your own Valerian tea, use 1 teaspoon of ground Valerian root per pint of boiling water. You should probably add a little honey, lemon, licorice or peppermint to the tea since most people find that Valerian by itself tastes awful. Take note that you should keep your Valerian root away from your cats because it is almost similar to catnip. If your cats luckily find your Valerian stash, they will surely have a wonderful time, but they might not leave you enough Valerian root for your tea.

Kava Kava

Kava Kava is an anxiety herbal medicine remedy from the South Pacific that is available as a tablet, herb or drink, or can be chewed raw. Like the Valerian root, it has to be taken shortly before bedtime. However, government agencies have raised safety concerns about liver toxicity from the long term use of Kava. Although Kava is widely used, you might wish to avoid it.

Chamomile

Chamomile is our common ragweed flower, but brewed in a tea, it is quite calming. It can be purchased as a ready made herbal tea, or you might want to brew your own with one ounce of dried Chamomile blossoms for each pint of boiling water. But be wary that it may worsen your seasonal allergies if you use it for a long period of time.

Lavender

Lavender is a tried and tested anxiety herbal medicine discovered in Western Europe centuries ago. Dried lavender flowers are best brewed in teas using two teaspoons of dried flowers per pint of boiling water. Aside from that, oils extracted from the flowers, leaves and stems can be used as topical remedies. One on-the-spot anxiety remedy is to pluck several leaves from a lavender plant, grind the leaves between your thumb and forefinger, and then rub your forehead with the lavender oil you just extracted. You can then enjoy the soothing lavender smell every time you inhale.

Peppermint

Peppermint is an herb known to relieve upset stomach caused by anxiety. Dried peppermint leaves can be brewed in a tea, and like lavender, the oils extracted from them can be used as topical remedies.

Before trying out any of these anxiety herbal medicines, it is best to consult first your doctor. He or she can ensure that any anxiety herbal medicine treatments you take are safe and effective and do not interact with any other medications that you may be taking. Take the first step and start feeling better today.