What Herbs Are Good For Anxiety ?

Treating anxiety through herbal interventions is becoming a popular trend that serves as a great alternative to prescription medications. Besides the guilt-free thought of taking in natural products, you experience the simple joy of a calming and soothing sensation as you slowly wash your worries down with these leafy remedies. 

Although herbal cure may sound a lot more fun than the usual boring pills and tablets, it’s important to consult first with a physician to avoid any adverse complications due to conflicting medicines or to prevent any unexpected side-effects.

So what herbs are good for anxiety? Read on.

Everything You Need To Know About What Herbs Are Good For Anxiety

In this article you’ll know what herbs are good for anxiety. Take a look at 10 kinds of herbs that can help you ease the stress. 

Kava

Kava is a native plant in the South Pacific and is one of the more popular remedies of anxiety. Its name is derived from the Polynesian word “awa,” which means bitter. Its popularity is boosted by its purpose as a social drink like alcohol. 

The root plant gives a unique experience similar to alcohol, but with a distinct difference: it relaxes the muscles, which when tensed may aggravate anxiety, but doesn’t sedate the brain.

Most users report a significant mood improvement after regular daily intake of Kava (around 120 to 240 mg), while some claim instantaneous relief on initial consumption.

The herb is safe on occasional use (few times a month); however, frequent usage or high dosage intake may yield negative impact on liver and can have adverse events when taken during pregnancy or surgery.

Lemon Balm

Lemon is one of the few versatile natural products we have on earth, and we have made great use for its soothing and calming extract characteristics. Similar to Kava, it eases the body without messing with the mind. 

The product is extremely safe. Lemons mean no harm (except when it squirts to your eyes). Studies show that frequent consumption of lemons in generous food amounts – 300 mg of lemon balm extract, taken in the morning and at night – lowers anxiety by around 18%. It can be used by itself or in combination with other sedating herbs.

If you’re seeking for what herbs are good for anxiety, insomnia, and stress, lemon balm extract is a great choice. Plus, it has that lemony aroma that adds to the kick-back-and-relax experience.

Passionflower

Passiflora incarnata is one of the known species of passionflower with medicinal purposes. Before, passionflower was used to treat a wide range of conditions such as boils, wounds, earaches, and liver problems. Now, the Passiflora incarnata has been scientifically determined to be effective in addressing specific forms of anxiety such as anxiety-induced insomnia and anticipatory fear. 

The sleep-inducing mechanism is done by its property to stimulate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which reduces brain activity and helps you doze off. Daily dose of passionflower herbal tea yields sleep-quality improvement in adults. Moreover, passionflower is observed to have positive influence in the mood of dentist and surgery patients.

Just be sure to skip this if youre planning to go on a long drive. 

St. John’s Wort

Readily available in various forms such as capsules, tea, and liquid extracts – St. John’s Wort is one of the most popular anti-depressant and anti-anxiety herbal supplements in the United States. It’s mainly used to treat people with depression, wherein half the population experiences anxiety – and to a lesser degree physical ailments and mental illnesses. 

While St. John’s Wort is widely believed by the public to provide the optimistic feeling, the U.S. FDA provides no regulatory support to ensure safety and quality of the product. In addition, there is little evidence to back up its benefits and uses. This necessitates an in-depth consultation with your physician to avoid any conflicting effects to your current lifestyle and drug intake.

Tulsi aka Holy Basil

Before you go off to your mom’s kitchen to take some of her basil leaves, you must realize Tulsi or Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) is different from the cooking herb Gordon Ramsey uses in his famous dishes. Besides its therapeutic use, it’s also rich in essential vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Calcium, Zinc, and Iron.

Amazingly, as an adaptogen, it has a two-fold effect when consumed. Besides treating depression and anxiety, holy basil provides its consumers with mental fortitude to combat stress and social confidence to face interpersonal predicaments.

It’s really simple to make. Just boil some Tulsi dried leaves or powder and add lemon and honey to flavor. You’re all set!

CBD

Perhaps the simplest and most effective description I can give you about CBDs is that it’s related to “cannabinoids.” Now hold-up! Yes, it’s a part of “that” family. But No, you’re mistaking it for THC – the one that makes people loopy. Now, imagine experiencing the effects of THC but take away uncontrollable giggles, paranoia, and maybe even the possible detachment from reality. 

CBDs may have the same direction as THC, but it goes there with a different purpose. CBDs influence body cell activities through interaction with the brain’s signaling system which consequently induces relief from pain, anxiety, and nausea – leaving you with that slow and droopy relaxed sensation.

Lavender

Just like lemon, lavender belongs to the mint family and is a versatile essential oil, more often used in aromatherapies than oral. Despite the dearth of more reliable large-scale trials, multiple researches have identified beneficial use of lavender to alleviate stress. Examples of study populations that verify the positive effect of lavender are dental patients, high-risk postpartum women, and people experiencing anxiety-induced insomnia.

Be wary and cautious on first trying out the product as some consumers complain about skin irritation, nausea, vomiting, and headache.

I usually run lavender through my diffuser in the evening time to prepare myself for a good sleep.

Ashwagandha

Also known as winter cherry, Ashwagandha is actually an ancient Ayurvedic remedy used as far as 3,000 years ago to treat various ailments. Modern health science has identified and confirmed its most essential use and has categorized it similar to Holy basil, an adaptogen. This class of healing plants enhances hormone regulation, consequently reducing stress and anxiety, as well as improving mood, blood sugar levels, and memory.

It has grown in popularity over the last few heres and can make it pretty overwhelming to know which  Ashwagandha supplement is best for yourself. This is why I created a guide on the best Ashwagandha Supplements brands to buy.

Chamomile

Unlike that horse-plant above, chamomile blesses you with that serene and soft-touch feeling just by saying its name. The gentle tea, which can also be in the form of a pill, is often used for mild anxiety; however, recent studies have shown its efficacy with severe symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

It’s a safe bet for a stress-relieving tea that relies on its constituent, apigenin, a flavonoid that positively stimulates GABA.

Nevertheless, take great precaution when using this together with blood-thinning drugs, or without thorough assessment of your allergy triggers.

My suggestion is to buy chamomile flowers in bulk and make a nighttime chamomile tea with honey. I find the two paired together tastes really good.

Valerian Root

Another age-old remedy for sleep disorder and anxiety, the valerian root means, from a Latin translation, “to be strong” or “to be healthy.” It’s interesting to know that the plant’s flower and root are polar opposites in terms of smell. The valerian root is commonly taken in pill form due to its unpleasant, strong, and earthy odor attributed to the various oils and compounds. 

Despite multiple consumer accounts attesting to its use to provide a tranquil-mood and improve sleep quality, little reliable knowledge has been documented since its use. Researches still can’t confidently determine how valerian roots do what they do.

It’s a safe option worth trying out for short-term use. But if you get comfortable with it in the long run, it’s highly advised to consult with your physician then.

Conclusion

Today, alternative herbal therapies are increasingly gaining public appreciation for its special benefits and conveniences over prescription medicine, drugs, and expensive institutional interventions. Moreover, the manner of consumption of herbal medicine is way mood-stimulating and vibe-setting than the dull pop-and-gulp with the pill. 

Finding simple joy and relaxation in sipping a hot cup of tea augments the soothing impact of the treatment. Nonetheless, comprehensive education in its usage through your own personal research and consultation with your physician is necessary to ensure safe and favorable outcomes.