Herbal Remedies offer Calming relief of Anxiety

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In combination with stress-reducing techniques, herbal remedies

offer calming relief of anxiety.

 

http://holisticonline.com/Remedies/Anxiety/anx_herbs.htm

 

Kava kava (Piper methysticum)

 

Kava kava is used for treating anxiety, promoting sleep

 

Recommended dosage:

 

The standardized extract potency of its active ingredient, kavalactone, should

be 30 percent (15 mg per capsule). For daytime relief of anxiety, take 250 mg

(one capsule or one-half dropperful), three times daily with meals.

 

You can take four to six capsules for sleep (up to 1,500 mg). Do not take it

continuously for a prolonged period of time (over four months).

 

Valerian

 

The extract of valerian has been the treatment of choice for anxiety and

insomnia throughout the world. It is a sedative and painkiller. Helpful in

treating insomnia. Valerian root taken at bedtime aids in preventing panic

attacks at night.

 

Valerian is quite safe to take for short periods of time. However, its long-term

effects are not known.

 

Recommended dosage:

 

For daytime anxiety, take 150 mg (standardized extract of 0.8 percent valeric

acid) three times daily.

 

For difficulty with sleep, start with 150 mg, 45 minutes before bed. If that

dose is insufficient, gradually increase to 600 mg.

 

If you are using the herb, use one teaspoon of powdered valerian root in one

pint of boiling water for ten minutes in a covered pot. Strain and add honey to

taste. Drink one cup per day before bed.

 

For severe anxiety, add 1 drop of valerian oil to bath water.

Intervals of two-to-four week breaks are recommended, to avoid habituation.

 

 

 

Other Herbs For Anxiety Disorders

 

Ashwaganda: Ashwaganda is the primary strengthening tonic in Ayurvedic medicine.

Take one capsule or ½ teaspoon of tincture, twice daily.

 

Borage juice exerts a specific, stimulating effect on the glandular system. It

also acts as a general tonic and purifies the blood. Take 1 tbsp. with water

daily for two weeks.

 

Bugleweed: Soothes your nerves. Make an infusion using one teaspoon of herb and

one cup boiling water. You can also add lime or linden flowers to the infusion.

 

California poppy: Strong herbal tranquilizer. Take ½ teaspoon of tincture or two

capsules 3-4 times a day or as directed in the product label.

 

Catnip: Soothes upset stomach. A nervine. Make an infusion using one ounce of

herbs and one pint of boiling water. Cool before drinking.

 

Chamomile: A gentle nervine. Also helps settle an upset stomach. Boil one ounce

of blossoms in one pint of water for fifteen minutes; strain and add honey to

taste.

 

Fennel: Fennel relieves anxiety-related gastrointestinal upsets, reduces

flatulence, and abdominal tension, and relaxes the large intestine. For best

results take it as a tea before or after meals. It has no known side effects. It

is a popular tea in Oriental countries such as India.

 

Feverfew: Calms your nerves. Relieves migraines. Feverfew can help with

anxiety-induced headaches. Infuse one ounce of herb in one pint of boiling

water. Cool before drinking.

 

Ginkgo biloba - improves circulation to the brain. It elevates the mood for

those depressed.

 

Ginseng: Taken in combination with royal jelly, ginseng is a great energy

booster and lifts the spirits. Take 1 tsp. of royal jelly in a cup of ginseng

tea twice daily.

 

Hops: Relieves insomnia and encourages sleep. To make a tea boil one teaspoon of

herb in one cup of water in a covered pot for ten minutes. Strain and flavor

with honey and lemon to taste.

 

Hops is very popular in making sleep pillow. To make a sleep pillow, stuff a

small pouch or pillow with hop flowers. Sprinkle a little alcohol on the herb to

release the essential oils.

 

Lemon balm is a mild relaxant.

 

Meadowsweet: Relieves headaches related to anxiety and stress. Drink meadowsweet

tea or extract.

 

Mullein: Soothes anxiety. Drink two cups of mullein tea each day. Add an

aromatic such as clover or cinnamon to overcome the pungent odor.

 

Motherwort is useful in cases when anxiety is associated with palpitations. If

the anxiety is connected to high blood pressure, use cramp bark and linden

blossoms.

 

Oats: Oats strengthens and relaxes the nervous system. Look for preparations

that contain the oat seed along with the straw. Take ½ teaspoon of tincture,

three times daily.

 

Passion Flower: A gentle sedative that soothes nervous tension and alleviates

insomnia. Use half to one teaspoon of herb in one cup of boiling water. Drink

the infusion every three to four hours.

 

Peppermint: Excellent for an upset stomach or frazzled nerves. Use equal parts

of peppermint, caraway seed, and wood betony to total one teaspoon. Infuse in

one cup of boiling water for fifteen minutes. Strain and sweeten to taste.

 

St. John's Wort, a popular herb for low depression is also good for controlling

stress.

 

Skullcap: Skullcap is valuable in combating anxiety, stress and tension. It is

one of the best nerviness. Skullcap can be taken at bedtime to promote sleep. It

aids in preventing panic attacks at night. Boil one teaspoon of the herb in one

cup of water for ten minutes. Strain and sweeten to taste. Drink two cups each

day in half-cup doses.

 

To treat tension headaches, combine one part each of skullcap, sage, and

peppermint; boil one teaspoon of the mixture in one cup of water for ten

minutes. Drink one warm cup as often as needed.

 

Verbena: Sedative. Infuse one teaspoon of the herb in one cup of boiling water

for fifteen minutes.

 

Willow bark soothes stomach distress.

 

 

 

Herbal Combinations

 

A body under stress is more vulnerable to free radical damage. Bilberry, ginkgo

biloba, and milk thistle are rich in flavonoids that neutralize free radicals.

Milk thistle also protects the liver.

 

Catnip, chamomile, cramp bark, kava kava, hops, linden flower, motherwort,

passionflower, and skullcap promote relaxation and aid in preventing panic

attacks.

 

Soothing Tea

 

Blend lavender, oats, linden flower, catnip, and lemon balm (equal quantities).

Use four teaspoons of this mixture per quart of boiling water. Pour the water

over the herbs and steep for about ten minutes. Strain and drink while the tea

is still warm. Drink a cup after each meal, up to six cups a day if necessary.

 

Nervine Tonic

 

Here is an excellent nervine that will relax your mind and encourage mental

harmony.

 

4 parts rosemary leaves

2 parts sage

1 part goldenseal powdered root

3 parts skullcap powdered herb

2 parts valerian powdered root

 

Each part equals one-twelfth of a teaspoon. Make an infusion using one teaspoon

of the herbal mixture with one cup of boiling water.

 

Take a relaxing bath of a combination of herbs like lavender, thyme, lemon balm

and camomile followed by a peppermint and lemon balm tea before going to bed for

a restful, healthy sleep.

 

--

 

Herbs. Take the following herbs as tinctures to get the bile moving and improve

digestion:

http://www.christopherhobbs.com/

 

gentian root

dandelion root

artichoke leaf

 

Use theses herbs as teas:

ginger rhizome

peppermint leaf

chamomile flowers

 

Herb Formula. Simmer 1 teaspoon each of artichoke leaf, orange peel, hops

strobiles, gentian root, and angelica root in 3 cups water for 20 minutes. Drink

1 cup of the tea 2 or 3 times daily before meals. Or, mix 1 teaspoon each of the

individual tinctures in 1 cup of water and drink 1/2 cup, twice daily.

 

 

--

 

 

 

December 15, 2004 HC# 080641-270

 

Re: Safe and Effective Use of Herbal Sedatives in Complementary Cancer Care

 

Block K, Gyllenhaal C, Mead M. Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer

care. Integrative Cancer Therapies. 2004;3(2):128-148.

 

Insomnia and other sleep disturbances are common in cancer patients. Long-term

use of sleep-inducing drugs such as benzodiazepines is associated with

dependence, side effects, and other risks. Non-pharmacologic strategies for

improving sleep quality are needed for integrative cancer care. The purpose of

this article was to explore the safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives and

sleep agents for people with cancer. The article includes summaries of key

herbal constituents and mechanisms of action, results of clinical trials on

sleep quality, and adverse effects and safety concerns.

 

Valerian

Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) has been used since the 17th century for

its mild sedative and tranquilizing properties. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes

in the essential oil can inhibit the breakdown of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA,

a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger) in the nervous system, which leads to

sedation. Multiple randomized, controlled clinical trials show relief of

insomnia when valerian is given for longer than two weeks, and several

uncontrolled trials suggest improvement in sleep quality. Valerian may also have

anti-anxiety properties. Because insomnia, fatigue, and anxiety are highly

correlated in cancer patients, anxiety relief may contribute to better sleep

quality. No serious side effects have been reported with normal doses of

valerian and it appears to have a wide margin of safety. There is no evidence of

interactions with chemotherapy drugs or other drugs commonly used by cancer

patients.

 

Kava

Kava (Piper methysticum) has a long history of use in Pacific Island populations

as a ceremonial and tranquilizing beverage. It is currently used to relieve

anxiety and sleep disorders. Kava root contains kavalactones that act as

sedatives and central nervous system depressants, apparently by influencing the

uptake of the neurotransmitters GABA and noradrenaline (a neurotransmitter).

Several randomized, controlled clinical trials show relief of anxiety and

insomnia in people taking kava. Although kava has a long history of safe use in

South Pacific populations, there are recent reports of liver toxicity with use

of kava supplements. There is also a potential for interactions between kava and

drugs that are metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzymes. For this reason,

people who are undergoing cancer treatment or taking cancer-related medications

should avoid kava products.

 

Chamomile

Tea made from the flowers of chamomile (Matricaria recutita) has long been a

popular bedtime beverage. Chamomile has very mild sedative effects that are

attributed to apigenin, a flavonoid that binds to benzodiazepine receptors in

the central nervous system. There are no controlled clinical trials

demonstrating beneficial effects of chamomile on insomnia or anxiety. Rare

adverse effects of chamomile include allergic reactions and contact dermatitis.

Animal studies indicate chamomile may interact with anthracycline drugs, and

patients undergoing chemotherapy with anthracyclines should avoid chamomile.

 

Other Herbs

Aromatherapy with lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia) is used as a sedative

and animal studies suggest lavender oil has sedative and anxiety-reducing

effects. However, there are no controlled clinical trials demonstrating

beneficial effects of lavender on insomnia or anxiety. There are anecdotal and

historical accounts of sleep-enhancing benefits of hops (Humulus lupulus) and

lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). No controlled clinical trials support their

use in insomnia, but uncontrolled trials suggest calming effects of these herbs.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is also reported to be a mild sedative. One

controlled trial indicated that passionflower had similar sedative effects as

the drug oxazepam. St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has clinical support

for its effects in treatment of mild to moderate depression. There is some

evidence that sleep improvement may accompany relief of depression. However, St.

John's wort interacts with the chemotherapy drug irinotecan and

has the potential to interact with other drugs.

 

The authors conclude that valerian and kava have the strongest clinical research

to support their use in insomnia and other sleep disorders. They caution that

reports of liver toxicity make kava unsuitable for use in cancer patients. The

authors provide the following summary points: (1) much work remains to be done

on the long-term safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer patients, the

elderly, and others who take multiple drugs for chronic conditions, (2) cancer

care providers should ask patients about the use of herbal products and document

any such use in the patient's medical record, and (3) future research should

identify the active components of herbs, investigate their stability in various

formulations, and further the cause of standardization of herbal ingredients.

 

This article provides a thorough review of the safety and efficacy of herbs for

use in insomnia and anxiety-related sleep disorders as well as extensive

information on the causes and treatment of insomnia and an excellent discussion

of herbal products in general. The article may be particularly valuable for

practitioners or patients who are not familiar with herbal products.

 

 

—Heather S. Oliff, Ph.D.

 

 

http://www.herbalgram.org/nowfoods/herbclip/review.asp?i=44030

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