Stressed and anxious? If you want some tips on how to cut down and deal with stress check out the blog Stress!!! What do we do about it? This post will touch on a few natural supplements to help with anxiety. While natural means to health are much better than the many synthetic drugs out there, it does not mean that there are no risks. With any supplement know the risks or warnings associated with it and use it only as directed.
There are many natural plants that have been used for centuries to treat many different ailments. This post will discuss just a few herbals and supplements that are used to help with feelings of anxiety.
1. Passionflower
Passionflower has a long history of use for anxiety in folklore and has been used around the world for many years. Besides anxiety, passionflower has been used for a variety of problems such as insomnia, seizures, asthma, high blood pressure, and even pain relief. Passionflower extract is even used as flavoring in some foods and beverages.
While many studies with passionflower have been done using mice, relatively few have been done with humans. The few studies that have been done have shown positive results.
There can be possible interactions with medications and other supplements, so be aware and if you have any questions ask a healthcare professional.
2. Kava
Kava is made from the plant Piper methysticum. It is grown in the South Pacific and has been used as a drink by Pacific Islanders for thousands of years. It has been used to relieve anxiety, restlessness and insomnia for centuries. Kava is also used to help with depression, migraines and other headaches, common cold, and even cancer prevention.
One of the things that make kava appealing is that it has fewer side effects than many of the medications used to treat the same type of symptoms.
There is some concern about the potential for liver damage with the use of kava and it has actually been taken off the market in a few countries around the world. However, in a review that looked at several studies with a total of 435 participants taking kava there were no liver problems reported. Also while kava has been used for thousands of years the first documented report of kava being linked to liver toxicity was in 1998. There is the potential for very serious side effects from the use of kava, but they appear to be rare.
Kava can also have serious interactions with many different medications and if you have any questions about using kava make sure to talk to a healthcare professional.
3. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is made from the flowers and leaves of a shrub Hypericum perforatum. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a wide variety of disorders. One of the major uses of St. John’s Wort is for mild to moderate depression. It has also been used to help with anxiety, tiredness, symptoms of menopause, obsessive compulsive disorder, different types of pain, and irritable bowel syndrome among other things.
One potential concern with St. John’s Wort is that, in large doses, it can increase sensitivity to light. Also there is the potential for serious drug interactions. Again as with all supplements be aware of its effects and if you have any questions consult a healthcare professional.
One more thing to mention about taking supplements is to make sure they are of a good quality. Do a little research to find trusted brands for supplements. There are several independent organizations that supplement companies can use to show the quality of their product, and each organization usually has a seal of quality to show that their standards have been met. The following organizations all deal with supplements is some way, though each has their own set of standards:
- Consumer Lab
- NSF International
- US Pharmacopeia
Products with seals from any of these organizations have been tested or reviewed in one way or another to help assure better quality products.
References:
Lakhan and Vieira: Nutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic review. Nutrition Journal 2010 9:42. Accessed online at http://www.nutritionj.com/content/9/1/42on December 11, 2012.
Medline Plus: Passionflower, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/871.html accessed December 11, 2012.
Medline Plus: Kava, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/872.html accessed December 11, 2012.
Medline Plus: St. John’s Wort, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/329.html accessed December 11, 2012.
