Effective Natural Anxiety Treatments As Alternatives To Medications
Natural anxiety treatments are good alternatives to medication and therapies, or can be used in conjunction with them, and in most cases have soothing and relaxing effect. Before you try any of the herbs, or start taking any vitamins in order to keep your stress levels down, you should consult your doctor.
Amongst the most widely used natural anxiety treatments are the following herbs.
St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) leaves and flowers are used as a natural anxiety treatment for severe depression and chronicle anxiety. Clinical trials have proven that the herb is beneficial for patients who suffer from these disorders and about as effective as other widely-used antidepressants. It is suggested that the St John’s wort is only taken for a short period and never in conjunction with anti-anxiety medication. Possible side effects include abdominal ache, sleeping trouble, vivid dreams, headache, etc.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a herbal remedy for anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Its effects show after a few weeks, but it is advised not to be taken for more than three months or together with other medication. When taken in normal doses the Valerian is safe, when taken in excess might cause abdominal ache, allergic reactions, or headaches.
Kava (Piper methysticum) is effective for treating anxiety and sleeping disorders, and has been used as a folk remedy for thousands of years. Medical studies have proved the positive (although small) effect that the kava root has on the anxiety sufferers. In 2002 the FDA has issued a warning to consumer since in rare cases it has been linked to adverse liver reactions.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate) is probably the best known of all natural anxiety treatments and is successfully used for treating patients who suffer from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The effects have been proven by various clinical trials, mostly carried out in EU countries, and the herb has been officially approved by a German health Commission as being effective against anxiety and insomnia. The herb is considered to be safe, in some cases mild side effects can are experienced such as palpitations, vomiting and nausea.
Vitamin B-1 has calming effect and helps reduce fatigue, anxiety and irritability. It is advisable that Vitamin B-1 be taken as a complex supplement since some doctors recommend Vitamin B-6 and B-12 to anxiety sufferers.
Natural anxiety treatments aren’t limited to herbs and supplements though. Your diet is important as well and here are a few things that you should do:
- Reduce the intake of caffeine. Clinical studies have proven that excessive intakes of caffeine lead to sleeping troubles, twitching, trembling, racing heart, nausea and restlessness – all symptoms that can be associated with anxiety.
- Reduce the intake of alcohol. Alcohol depresses the nervous system and alcohol and illegal substances abuse have been linked to anxiety disorders. Social drinkers should consume a glass of wine on occasion and avoid white spirits and hard liquor.
- Eat balanced, healthy diet. This will improve your general health, and will help you better manage your anxiety.
Other natural anxiety treatments recommended by many medical practitioners are exercise,meditation, yoga, and hypnosis and they all help reducing the stress level. Exercise is extremely important and very helpful for people that suffer from insomnia as well – long and fast walk will help you sleep better at night.
Take frequent brakes – do not work for hours straight without taking a break. If you work in a office or behind a computer all day long, take a short 10 minute break for every 45 minutes work. Get out of your chair, stretch, walk around and do some breathing exercises.
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Psychologists have confirmed that most anxiety attacks stem from fear. When a fearful thought creeps into the person’s mind, this will trigger an attack. Even the fear of an anxiety attack by itself, is a trigger and it is proven that this “meta” fear can be undone. Once this “meta” fear is resolved, the trigger is no longer there and anxiety attacks will cease to happen.
