Herbal medicines such as Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Passionflower and Lavender provide a safe, effective and easy-to-use method for mitigating the stress response with extensive research for their use.
Lavender flowers are the herbal material used for the following indications: relief of mild symptoms of mental stress and exhaustion, and to aid sleep according to the European Medicines Agency monograph on lavender [32].
Growing scented flowering plants, such as Lilacs, Lavender or Jasmine, can help you improve your mood, sleep better, and ease other depression symptoms.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective form of psychotherapy for anxiety disorders.
So, we're all probably familiar with chamomile—aside from black tea, it's the best-selling tea in the world. But as an herb for calming the nervous system, chamomile is a definite go-to.
Drugs such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), Valium (diazepam), and Ativan (lorazepam) work quickly, typically bringing relief within 30 minutes to an hour. That makes them very effective when taken during a panic attack or another overwhelming anxiety episode.
Turmeric is certainly the most powerful herb on the planet. It is from the ginger family that is primarily grown in India, China and Indonesia. It contains various compounds with medicinal properties. For example, turmeric contains Curcumin which is a powerful antioxidant that boosts the body's own antioxidant enzymes.
Medical research has linked magnesium to reduced anxiety. Magnesium helps you to relax by stimulating the production of melatonin and serotonin which boost your mood and help you sleep. Magnesium also reduces the production of cytokines and cortisol, which lead to increased inflammation and stress.
Benzodiazepines most commonly used to treat anxiety disorders are clonazepam (Rivotril)*, alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan).
The greatest concentration of serotonin in plants has been found in walnuts and hickory. In pineapples, banana, kiwi fruit, plums and tomatoes the concentration of serotonin is around 3 to 30 mg/kg. In general, vegetables contain moderate levels of serotonin, at around 0.1 to 3 mg/kg.
Positive effects of a number of herbs and their active compounds such as St John's-wort, saffron, turmeric, ginkgo, chamomile, valerian, Lavender, Echium amoenum and Rhodiola rosea L. in improvement of symptoms of mild, moderate or major depression have been shown in clinical trials.
A popular remedy is Banxia houpu decoction, which contains pinellia tuber, magnolia bark, hoelen, perilla herb, and ginger rhizome. Most traditional Chinese medicine practitioners recommend using herbs for severe anxiety or anxiety disorders while under the direct supervision of a healthcare provider.
Ashwagandha, an ancient medicinal herb, is an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa. Commonly used for stress, it's an analgesic that soothes the nervous system from pain response.
“Vitamins B, C, and (water soluble) magnesium have been impactful for many who have anxiety and depression. It's important to remember that supplements and medications are proven aids at decreasing symptoms.
Difficult experiences in childhood, adolescence or adulthood are a common trigger for anxiety problems. Going through stress and trauma when you're very young is likely to have a particularly big impact. Experiences which can trigger anxiety problems include things like: physical or emotional abuse.