When you get anxious at some point in your life, it is natural but it can also be bothersome. Anxiety could really affect your activities of daily living if not treated immediately. Over the years, breathing techniques, physical outlets for stress, and  mental exercises have all been used to relieve or treat anxiety.  But when you need something to take, most of the time, people go directly to the doctor to seek professional help. They end up getting prescription medications filled with side effects that cannot be avoided. With this there are patients who resort to natural herbs for anxiety that offer the same relief but with fewer adverse reactions to worry about.

Seeking relief of anxiety issues through natural methods also involves giving attention to some techniques that do not require the intake of conventional medication. This is where the herbs step in. There are a myriad of medicinal herbs to choose from but here are a few of the most effective natural herbs for anxiety that you could consult with your doctor:

 

1. Passion flower

Passiflora incarnata or passion flower is an herb used as a sedative. It is a non-narcotic alternative to relieve nervousness, insomnia,withdrawal (opiate, alcohol, and nicotine), panic, and anxiety. It is the vine of the plant that has the curative effects. Passion flower calms you down and makes you feel balanced emotionally. If you have a tendency to feel extreme emotions during your waking hours, this herb will balance out what you feel. It stabilizes the exaggerated roller coaster of emotions that you have all day instead of just putting  you to sleep. Passion flower is one of the natural herbs for anxiety that is not habit forming at all.

 

2. St. John’s wort

Known scientifically as Hypericum perforatum, St. John’s wort is a known anti-depressant. It stops the re-uptake of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, which are all neurotransmitters. It is one of the natural herbs for anxiety that also takes care of insomnia because it is a powerful sedative. St. john’s wort has hypericin, hyperforin, and flavenoid glycosides, which are mood lifters. You should tell your doctor if you are taking HIV meds, digoxin, warfarin, chemotherapy meds, simvastatin, benzodiazepines, and antihistamines if you want to take St. John’s wort. If you are going to undergo surgery or to take a new medication, then you should stop taking the herb for seven days prior.

 

 

3. Ginko biloba

This is one of the natural herbs for anxiety that id used for the betterment of your circulation, especially when it reaches the brain. This is a mood elevator that is also related to bleeding disorders so yo have to ask your doctor about this herb before using it.

 

 

 

4. Meadow sweet

Meadow sweet gives relief to your headaches that are brought about stress and anxiety. This is one of the natural herbs for anxiety that can be taken in the form of extracts or tea. If you are sensitive to aspirin, you should not take this herb at all. Talk to your doctor first before you consider meadow sweet as an anxiety treatment.

 

 

 

 

5. Kava Kava

Kava Kava is considered as one of the well-known natural herbs for anxiety that target stress and anxiety. It is an alternative herb for Valium. This came from the South Seas that decreases high anxiety levels. As with most herbal supplements, Kava Kava has no documented side effects but it is a very potent sedative so if you have to be somewhere, it would be better to have someone drive for you. Nocturnal anxiety is also one of the targets of this alternative to Valerian root.

 

 

 

6. Valerian

Valerian or Valeriana officinalis is one of the natural herbs for anxiety that has a very strong smell. It is where valium is derived. Valerian has calming and drowsing  effects that should not be taken for more than three weeks because by then, it could result to exhaustion after sleeping and sleep disruption.

 

 

 

 

7. Hops

Known also as Humulus lupulus, hops another one of the potent natural herbs for anxiety that target your insomnia and nervous tension. Together with valerian, you could use this as an alternative to benzodiazepines. If you are diagnosed with depression, this should be taken with the supervision of your doctor.

 

 

 

 

Natural herbs for anxiety are less expensive and have less adverse effects. But always remember that in taking these natural herbs for anxiety,  you should still be aware of the amounts that you should take everyday. Your holistic health is the utmost priority even if anxiety if their target ailment.