Natural therapies and supplements for anxiety disorders - herbs and their effects. Kava, St. John's Wort, aromatherapy, flower essences.

Herbs and their Effects

There are many natural therapies and supplements to relieve anxiety available that have been used throughout the centuries. Your naturopath or nutritionist will be able to advise you further. Some of the common natural therapies for anxiety are listed below.

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum)

Kava Kava is one of the main anti-anxiety herbs. It has a very quick calming effect on the nervous system with an uplifting, euphoric feeling. It is also a muscle relaxant and mild sedative. It is specific for anxiety, tension, stress, irritability and insomnia. Kava is very good for people whose mind races.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John's Wort is a gentle sedative which also has a calming effect on the nervous system with restorative properties as well. It is specific for mild depression, anxiety, tension and irritability. It works by increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system such as serotonin and dopamine.

WARNING: BOTH KAVA KAVA AND ST. JOHN'S WORT ARE NOT TO BE USED WITH MEDICAL ANTI-DEPRESSANT DRUGS.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa)

This is a good nerve tonic which also has a restorative property. It can have a good calming effect and is also specific in cases of mild depression and anxiety. Damiana is also well known for its aphrodisiac properties.

Scullcup (Scutellaria lateriflora)

This is a relaxing and gentle sedative for the central nervous system. It is very good for nervous tension and for nervous exhaustion plus neurological and neuromotor problems.

Verbena (Verbena officinalis)

This is a relaxing nervous system tonic which is indicated for a wide range of nervous disorders including nervous exhaustion and stress.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

This is a non-addictive sedative that relaxes the nervous system. It is especially helpful for nervous disorders such as heart palpitations, anxiety, convulsions, epilepsy, insomnia, and stress.

Withania (Withaniasomnifera)

This is an ayurvedic herb most commonly called Ashwaghanda. It is a very good tonic herb that is especially helpful for debility, and nervous exhaustion due to stress.

Aromatherapy

Bergamot

• helps soothe anger and frustration
• helps people regain self confidence and uplifts and refreshes the spirit
• evokes joy and warms the heart

Cypress

• strengthens an overburdened nervous system and restores calm
• has a soothing effect on anger and apparently cleanses the spirit and removes psychic blocks

Frankincense

• is for FEAR
• it slows down breathing and produces feelings of calm
• it elevates and soothes the mind
• is comforting and restoring for anxious, and obsessional states linked to the past

Jasmine

• helps diminish fear, enhances self confidence and defeats pessimism
• very good for emotional dilemmas especially when they involve relationships and sex
• rub on heart charka and temple