4 Alternative Herbal Remedies for Anxiety (Tried and Tested)

I’ve suffered anxiety on and off for many years.

It started in my pubescent years and reached a crescendo around the age of 18-19, after which I was prescribed Prozac, and later Desvenlafaxine and Loxalate. I stayed on these medications for about 6 months, jumping from one to another in hopes of finding a “cure.” Soon I discovered that prescription medications don’t actually work that way because they only serve as a band aid (albeit, often a very necessary one) that superficially numbs the issue.

Dissatisfied with the results of taking medication, I slowly weaned myself off the pills and was shocked by what I discovered: although I felt the old demon of anxiety looming in the background, I also felt more mental clarity, more emotional depth and more creativity. What a surprise! And what a simultaneous blessing.

Since then I have vowed to explore alternative treatments, including a variety of herbal remedies for anxiety that I want to share with you in this article. Although herbal remedies shouldn’t be solely relied on to treat your anxiety (it is imperative to pair this treatment with behavioral/psychological therapy by yourself or with a professional), it is an effective, cheap and healthy way of supplementing your well-being.

4 Powerful Herbal Remedies for Anxiety

I’ve tried a broad variety of herbal remedies for anxiety throughout a large number of years, and while some have been mildly effective, others have been noticeably potent in their physiological, emotional and psychological influence.

Remember: while these herbs worked for me, they might not necessarily work for you. You and I both have a different body mass, level of brain chemicals, hormonal variations, and many other elements that influence how effective a particular herb is or not. So take these recommendations with “a grain of salt.”

Also, call me a rebel, but I rarely take the recommended dosage for herbal supplements. Taking one or two capsules or teaspoons of powder daily is not, in my experience, particularly potent, noticeable or even worth it. So I like to experiment with quantity. This is what I do:

• Take the recommended dosage. If it is effective, good for you. If not, consider increasing the dosage.
• Important: Before you increase the dose of a herb, research the potential side effects of large quantities. While some herbs are harmless, others carry more notable risks. Once you have done your research, proceed.
• Slowly increase the quantity and observe yourself closely. If you feel discomfort of any kind, decrease the dosage. Remember to practice restraint and be responsible with your dosages (e.g. don't do ten times the recommended dosage). Herbs are only supplements; not cures.

It also helps to remember that our bodies develop tolerance to different chemical compositions quickly. So while taking one herbal remedy one week might work, the next it might wane in its effectiveness. This is why I recommend having two or more different herbs to swap between if you’re going through a particularly stressful period of life that you are struggling with.

1. Damiana

Damiana (Turnera Diffusa) is a shrub that is native to the central and south Americas and is used to traditionally enhance libido as well as decrease anxiety. Damiana can be smoked, taken in tablet or powder form, or drunk as tea. I personally love brewing it in tea (it also comes out cheaper this way). I’ve only recently discovered Damiana and it is a wonderfully potent herb for psychological stress, and can be often bought on ebay.

2. Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is a native Indian herb that is part of the night shade family. Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce anxiety, as well as enhance libido, decrease blood pressure, soothe ADHD, reduce arthritic swelling, and many other bodily afflictions. I take ashwagandha in capsule form (the smell/taste is a bit horsey otherwise), in doses ranging from 750 – 1000 mg. Read more about Ashwagandha on Amazon.

3. Rhodiola

Rhodiola (Rhodiola Rosea) is a perennial plant that grows in colder regions of the world such as Great Britain, Iceland and Scandinavia. Used in traditional European medicine, Rhodiola is said to increase the body’s resistance to stress by regulating its hormones and improving neurotransmitter activity within the brain towards anxiety. Rhodiola is also said to help reduce depression, fatigue, cholesterol, altitude sickness and other physical and mental ailments. I really love Rhodiola. I take it in pill form and find its effects particularly powerful at 1000 – 2000 mg. You can read more about Rhodiola on Amazon.

4. Siberian Ginseng

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus Senticosus) grows natively in Siberia and is nothing like the Asian varieties of ginseng in its effects. Siberian Ginseng is an adaptogenic, meaning that it helps the body adapt to a variety of physical and mental stresses such as insomnia, over-work, chronic anxiety and immunity impairment. This herb is used to treat cold and flu symptoms, stress and even herpes and hepatitis C. Siberian Ginseng can be taken in pill, capsule, extract, powder or tea form. I generally take it in capsule form, with 2000 mg being a potent dosage for me. Read more about Siberian Ginseng on Amazon.

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There are many herbal remedies for anxiety out there, and these four plants and herbs are the most powerful I have discovered so far during my journey. In the end, it is important that you experiment with a wide variety of herbs and dosages to see what suits you most, as well as keeping in mind potential side effects and anything else that might influence you (i.e. if you’re pregnant or on other medication).

What herbal remedies for anxiety can you personally recommend?

by ALETHEIA LUNA 

http://lonerwolf.com/herbal-remedies-for-anxiety/