How To Treat Anxiety With Herbal Remedies?
Herbal remedies have become more and more popular in the treatment of anxiety attacks. This is majorly due to the fact that traditional medications have proven to be addictive and produce harmful side effects. In the context of the "going natural" trend, herbal remedies are gaining attention.
Herbs that are chosen to treat anxiety all contain anti-anxiety ingredients. Some of the commonly-known herbs for treating anxiety and panics include:
1. Kava Kava This plant comes from the Kava crops in the western pacific and is effective in delivering tranquility. Although Kava Kava is not addictive, some researchers believe that it may cause violent allergic reactions in a very small number of patients.
2. Valerian Root This herbal supplement is extracted from the Valerian flower plant. Like Kava Kava, it is also as an effective tranquillizer, and is often used in reducing symptoms associated with insomnia and epilepsy. Valerian extract works rapidly, often in less than an hour, but it is also known to be mildly addictive.
3. St John's Wort St John's wort, also known as Klamath weed or Goat weed, is commonly used in anxiety treatment for its ingredients that are capable of combating depression. In treating mild type of depression, St. John's Wort is sometimes more often prescribed than traditional medications.
4. Others There are more names to be covered, including passion flower, lemon balms, hops, chamomile, magnesium, B-complex, etc.
Without a doubt, herbs have been a hot topic in recent years. But, are they really effective? In treating anxiety, will herbal drugs eventually take place of prescribed drugs? At this point of time, the answer is probably NO. The fact is that there is no strong evidence yet to prove that herbs are effective in treating anxiety or, better yet, anxiety disorder, on its own. Although you may have come cross the claims by manufacturers of herbal products or testimonies from patients that they have been helped by St John's Wort or Valerian Root, traditional medications and behavioral therapies are still the best combination in battling anxiety and other mental conditions. The role by herbal medicines is only supplementary to the main two, at the very best. Having said that, herbs still carry their obvious advantage over the more powerful drugs for being less addictive and less harmful.
Based on the features of herbal remedies, your doctor may recommend herbal medicines prior to stronger drugs if your symptom is less serious. However, be careful if you are buying these products on your own. There are good and bad manufacturers, and it is worthwhile to spend some time to check out whom you can trust.
You may also like to check out this related article about different types of panic attacks.