Anxiety is more than just feeling stressed or worried. According to Beyond Blue, stress and anxious feelings are a common response to a situation where we feel under pressure, they usually pass once the stressful situation has passed, or ‘stressor’ is removed. Anxiety is when these anxious feelings don’t subside – when they’re ongoing and exist without any particular reason or cause. It’s a serious condition that makes it hard to cope with daily life. Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but for someone experiencing anxiety, these feelings can’t be easily controlled.
You don’t have to live with anxiety. See a health professional or visit Beyond Blue for helpful contacts in your area. They will help you identify the contributing factors or causes of your anxiety.
Anxiety may be caused by:
– Nutritional deficiencies
– Food intolerances
– Hormonal imbalances
– Lifestyle choices
– Illnesses
– Trauma
– Stress
– Environmental factors
– Inflammation and auto immune disease
– Genetics or a family history of mental health conditions
The following herbs may help alleviate some of the symptoms of anxiety while the underlying causes are being addressed. They help modulate GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid) a naturally occurring brain chemical or neurotransmitter. The main role of GABA is to have a calming effect on the nervous system. Some of the herbs have a normalizing effect on stress hormones.
Herbs may be taken in the form of a tea or tincture form. Herbal tinctures are only available with a prescription from your Naturopath or Herbalist. A qualified practitioner will ensure your medication, supplements or disease state does not interact with the herbs. When an herbalist prescribes herbal medicine they consider one’s constitution: age, allergies, sensitiveness, robustness, size, temperature, current status of health and personality. Always remember to tell your practitioner if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
1. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita). Useful in treating anxiety associated with digestive disturbances.
2. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). Indicated for anxiety with depression with restlessness and sleeplessness.
3. Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum). Acts as a gentle adaptogen, helping the mind and body better adapt to physical and emotional stress.
4. Ginkgo (Gingko biloba). Indicated for the management of anxiety particularly associated with cognitive dysfunction.
5. Hops (Humulus lupus). Those who feel their nerves in their gut due to a heightened gut brain connection. Very sedative and indicated for insomnia.
6. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Specifically indicated for dyspepsia associated with anxiety.
7. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). Beneficial in all types of anxiety and non-sedating.
8. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). Indicated for hypersensitive individuals, calms and quiets the mind.
9. St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum). Strengthens and rejuvenates the nervous system. Indicated for depression.
10. Withania (Withania somnifera). A gentle adaptogen, much like Holy Basil, it helps calm the nerves and balance the stress response.
11. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). At lower doses relieves anxiety. At higher doses it’s indicated for insomnia.
12. Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa). Indicated in women experiencing menopausal anxiety and depression.
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