Anxiety can be an extremely debilitating disorder for those who suffer from it.
Did you know that anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S? If you suffer from anxiety, don't worry! (pun intended.) There are over 40 million of you in the USA, a staggering 18% of the adult population. Symptoms of anxiety disorder may include restlessness, feeling tense or on edge, irritability, impatience, poor concentration, headaches, jaw pain, muscle tension, difficulty falling or staying asleep , dry mouth, fatigue, chest tightness, indigestion, bloating, and excessive sweating. Many people that suffer from extreme panic attacks feel as if they are having a heart attack and are going to die. There is a vast array of prescription drugs being used to treat anxiety, many you may be familiar with such as Xanax, Klonopin, Valium and Ativan. Well these wonderful drugs come with such exciting side effects as drowsiness, lack of energy, clumsiness, slow reflexes, slurred speech, confusion and disorientation, depression, dizziness, lightheadedness, impaired thinking and judgement, memory loss, forgetfulness, nausea, upset stomach, and blurred or double visions. Whew! Not too fun if you ask me! Well fortunately good ole mother nature has provided her residents with many natural remedies for this common but seriously debilitating disorder. Let's look at some of Mother Nature's Remedies for treating anxiety including; Kava Kava, Passion Flower, Lemon Balm, Valerian, Rosemary and even plain raw Almonds!Kava Kava
A recent world-first Australian study found kava is, according to its researchers, safe and effective in reducing anxiety", and reduces depression. Lead researcher Jerome Sarris said, "We've been able to show that Kava offers a natural alternative for the treatment of anxiety, and unlike some pharmaceutical options, has less risk of dependency and less potential of side effects." Kava has been a drink for thousands of years in the Pacific Islands.
Passion Flower
The German government has approved passion flower for nervous restlessness. Some studies find that it can reduce symptoms of anxiety as effectively as prescription drugs. It's often used for insomnia. Passion flower is basically a sedative so be careful about using more than one sedative herb at a time. Do not take it longer than one month at a time.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm's unique properties have led to its being recommended by the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy for tension, restlessness, and irritability. Prescribed as a medicinal herb since ancient Greek times, lemon balm has long been known to relieve anxiety, promote sleep, and sooth agitation. Since this botanical extract cannot be patented, it's beneficial properties have been ignored by the pharmaceutical industry.
Valerian
Valerian is probably best known for it's use as a sleep aid. This is true, it is a tranquilizer. It is also effective for anxiety, however it probably shouldn't be used during the day. The German government has approved it as a treatment for sleep problems.
Simply inhaling the scent of rosemary has been shown to lower cortisol levels and activate the "relaxation response". This enables the body's functions to return to normal after a stressful event, and elevates your mood. Fun side note, it appears that the ancient Greeks knew something about rosemary herbs that the rest of the world didn't. Grecian scholars traditionally wore sprigs of rosemary when taking tests because they believed the herb would improve their performance. Reduce your anxiety and ace that midterm exam all at the same time!
Almonds
Almonds are a wonderful, healthy, delicious snack. Did you know they also are a remedy for anxiety? Almonds are an underrated food. They contain zinc and vitamin B12 - both key nutrients for maintaining a balanced mood. They also have iron and healthy fats. Healthy fats are an important part of a balanced diet, and low iron levels have been known to cause brain fatigue, which can contribute to both anxiety and lack of energy.
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