Background
Anxiety and depression disorders affect over 40 million adults, making them the most prevalent mental illnesses in the US. Many patients suffering from these disorders look for treatment options to help them with relaxation. The most common drugs used are SSRI antidepressants and benzodiazepines. Although they are effective in helping the patients relax, they are associated with many side effects and drawbacks. Some of the drawbacks include addiction and dependence, weight gain, sexual dysfunction and other health and mental complications.
As people become more informed and aware of these drawbacks, they are looking for better alternatives in the management of depression and anxiety. Several relaxing herbs are available and effective in lowering depression and anxiety. They are associated with very few side effects if any and offer additional health benefits. This has resulted in an increased use of herbs. People medicate by inhalation of herbal blend types after being smoked from hemp wraps.
Discussed here are five herbs that are useful supplements for anxiety.
- Passionflower
Several studies have shown that passionflower works effectively just like some benzodiazepines in the management of anxiety. It is effective in lowering agitation, anxiety, depression, and irritability. The advantage of passionflower was that the side effects such as drowsiness were much lower.
Passionflower is taken as an herbal tea, one cup three times a day. It can also be taken as a liquid extract, where 45 drops are taken per day.
- Lavender
Lavender oil is an effective supplement that works in the same way as lorazepam, a prescription anxiety medication. It helps the patient to relax by countering generalized and persistent anxiety. Lavender is taken as an extract, about 80 milligrams per day. It can also be taken as oil in aromatherapy.
- Green Tea
Green tea contains L-Theanine, a soluble amino acid. L-Theanine is also available in black tea and as a supplement. It helps with relaxation by improving the mood and reducing anxiety. It helps reduce the stress and anxiety by acting directly on the brain without causing side effects such as drowsiness.
It is taken as a cup of herbal tea when needed. A cup of black tea or green tea may be calming, but when stronger effects are desired, a 200 mg daily supplement may help.
- Valerian
It is an herb with sedative qualities, ability to reduce stress and the associated physical effect. It is on the FDA’s list of safe products and is also used as a sleeping aid. It can be taken as a tea but it nasty smell limits this. Most people, therefore, take it as a tincture or capsule. Because of drowsiness, it is taken in the evening before going to bed.
- Lemon Balm
Lemon balm possesses anti-anxiety powers. It reduces stress, improves calmness and raises alertness. Even at lower doses, lemon balm enables users to perform mathematical problems more quickly. In aromatherapy, 300 to 500 mg of the dry lemon balm is taken thrice a day. 60 drops of the liquid extract can also be taken daily. It can also be taken as a tea with a 1/4 to 1 teaspoon of the dried lemon balm in hot water, four times a day.
