Herbs and Homeopathy for Anxiety

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Herbs and Homeopathy for

Anxiety

 

We have fears and worries but when they begin to dominate our life and our

behavior, and become the focal point in which everything revolves, that's

anxiety.

 

Many factors can contribute; trauma, chemical sensitivity, caffeine,

heredity, drugs, alcohol, lifestyle choices....If you cannot change the

situation that is the focus of anxiety, try to determine a way of trying to

change your way of handling the problem. Relaxation and stress

reduction are the key.

 

Anxiety is often vague and undirected, a sinking feeling that something

terrible is about to happen. Unlike concrete fears (of illness or losing a

job, for example), anxiety often stems from what used to be called borrowed

trouble. Anxious people imagine worst-case scenarios and spend lots of time

dreading things that may never happen. For persistent anxiety, seek

professional counseling. But the natural remedies can help tremendously.

 

INDIVIDUAL HERBS

 

Chamomile, Rosehips, Catnip, Alfalfa, Skullcap, Fo-Ti, Hops, Vervain, Wild

Lettuce, Passion Flower, Lemon Verbena are all wonderful for stress and

anxiety reduction. Used as a single dry herbs in a tea,

tincture or capsule are all effective.

 

Kava, is known as the anxiety herb. It has been extensively studied for this

purpose. One 100 mg capsule standardized to 70% kava-lactone is given three

times per day in many studies. Double blind studies have validated the

effectiveness of kava for people with anxiety, including menopausal women.

Although Kava is safer and rarely causes side effects AT PROPER DOSAGES, it

may cause problems if combined for more than a few days with Benzodiazepines

in some people, as we all now know. Kava has been shown to be just as

effective as Benzodiazepines over the course of six weeks. The latest

research shows that use of Kava

for up to six months is safe and effective.

 

St. John's Wort is very popular for the treatment of mild depression. It has

also been reported to reduce anxiety. Like kava, a flavonoid compound from

St. John's wort known as Amentoflavone has been found

to act in the central nervous system in a way similar to Benzodiazepine

drugs. For a complete list of herbs and the safety and condraindications go

to:

http://www.peacefulmind.com/safety_frame.htm

 

 

An old folk remedy for anxiety, particularly when it causes insomnia, is

Chamomile tea. Chamomile contains compounds with a calming action. Consider

one-two cups of tea taken three or four times per day.

 

A number of other botanicals known as " nerve tonics " are also used in

traditional herbal medicine with anxious people. These have not been

rigorously investigated by scientific means to confirm their efficacy,

although they have a long track record of safety. These include oats (oat

straw), hops, passion flower, scullcap, and valerian. A German study has

found the combination of valerian and passion flower to be useful for

anxiety. Valarian is effective for treating insomnia in itself.

 

HOMEOPATHY AND ANXIETY

 

Gelsemium 30c and Argentum Nitricum are often considered for symptoms of are

both anxiety, sense of imbalance, apprehension and panic.

 

Ignatia Amara: 6c ia a remedy best known for helping in times of grief.

 

Aconitum napellus: A panic attack that comes on suddenly with very strong

fear (even fear of death) may indicate this remedy. A state of immense

anxiety may be accompanied by strong palpitations, shortness of breath, and

flushing of the face. Sometimes a shaking experience will be the underlying

cause. Strong feelings of anxiety may also occur when a person is just

beginning to come down with a flu or cold.

 

Argentum nitricum: This remedy can be helpful when anxiety develops before a

big event: an exam, an important interview, a public appearance or social

engagement. Dizziness and diarrhea may also be experienced. People who need

this remedy are often enthusiastic and suggestible, with a tendency toward

peculiar thoughts and impulses. They often crave

sweets and salt (which usually make their symptoms worse).

 

Arsenicum album: People who are deeply anxious about their health, and

extremely concerned with order and security, often benefit from this remedy.

Obsessive about small details and very neat, they may feel a

desperate need to be in control of everything. Panic attacks often occur

around midnight or the very early hours of the morning. The person may feel

exhausted yet still be restless—fidgeting, pacing, and anxiously

moving from place to place. These people may also have digestive problems or

asthma attacks accompanied by anxiety.

 

For a complete look at anxiety, go to

 

http://www.peacefulmind.com/anxiety_frame.htm