Do Herbal Solutions Really Help Against Anxiety?

By Author: Thomas Strickland
Total Articles: 102
Comment this article

Anxiety can be treated in two main ways. The first is the traditional prescription medicine you get from your doctor. And the other are the natural supplements you can find in any herbal shop.

There are a lot of producers who claim to have the best natural anti anxiety treatment based on herbs. And while the effectiveness of these supplements can be really high for some people suffering from anxiety disorders, you have to understand that these herbal treatments are not approved by the officials. In fact, the majority of natural anxiety solutions you see on the market these days even don't have any medical or clinical trials to prove their effectiveness.

Also make sure to read about the ingredients of the supplement you want to try using. In most cases, these supplements are based around the same herbs, mixing them in different proportions. The most common herbs found in the majority of natural anti anxiety solutions are Valerian and Passion Flower. Both these herbs are known to help relieve the symptoms of anxiety and are found in numerous traditional remedies in cultures all around the world.

Thankfully, ...
... there are a lot of clinical studies on the actual effectiveness of these herbs, and all doctors agree that both Valerian and Passion Flower can be effective for relieving mild to moderate forms of anxiety. Taking 50 to 500 milligrams of Valerian per day can help overcome some symptoms of anxiety and be a good addition to conventional treatment. Passion Flower extract can be also beneficial, if taken in safe doses (couple of hundred milligrams per day), and can also help relax and fight stress after a hard day's work.

Some people also state that Green Tea is a good way to prevent and treat anxiety in a natural fashion. Green Tea contains L-theanine, a natural compound that is known to have anti-anxiety properties. However, in order for it to be really beneficial in relieving anxiety, the daily dose should be between 100 and 300 milligrams.

Many herbal supplements claim to carry L-theanine as the main active ingredient. Still, the actual amount of this substance found in most supplements claiming to contain it is too low in order to state that these solutions are really effective in treating anxiety.

Some specialists state that the herb St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is also quite beneficial for relieving the symptoms of anxiety and depression while not delivering the negative side effects of prescription medications. However, in order for the treatment to be really effective, a herbal remedy based on St. John's Wort has to carry a high concentration of its active ingredient, hyperforin. This substance is quite similar to SSRI anti anxiety treatments, are known to regulate the levels of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine in the brain.

Whatever herbal solution you choose to try, it still won't be able to compare with prescription drugs like Valium. Moreover, only a professional doctor can choose the right treatment option for you and decide whether you need a prescription medication like Valium or a simple Valerian supplement. Don't try to heal yourself without professional medical help, because you can make things even worse. Leave it to people who really know what's best for you.