5 Natural Herbs For Anxiety: Is It Effective?

Anxiety disorders have become prevalent lately. From kids to senior citizens, everyone seems to experience an anxiety disorder at some point in life. Around forty million adults experience anxiety disorders every year in the United States of America. While there are several factors causing anxiety, stress remains one of the primary causes. When left unattended, an anxiety disorder can lead to severe mental health conditions. Thus, it is essential to curb anxiety in the initial phases to avoid deteriorating health conditions like depression.

Treatment of anxiety disorders includes therapy and counseling sessions accompanied by synthetic medication. However, there are also many natural alternatives to synthetic medicines that may help reduce anxiety. In this article, find five natural herbs you can use for anxiety relief and read about their efficacy in managing stress. 

1. Kratom

Abundantly available in many South Asian countries like Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia, Kratom may help you ease anxiety. It is a tropical tree and belongs to the coffee family. Usually used as a sedative and stimulant, kratom can help manage pain, chronic insomnia, and anxiety disorders. Though there is limited evidence and research on whether kratom can reduce anxiety, many of its users claim that the herb has enhanced their mood and relieves anxiety in a 2017 review. That said, we need further evidence and relation between kratom and anxiety relief. You can find sources for red sumatra kratom online. Look for the where to find indo kratom near me near you or online, and get your hands on this herb.

2. Chamomile

One cannot go wrong with possibly the oldest and most studied herb, chamomile when it comes to calming and relaxing effects. People across the globe consume nearly one million cups of chamomile tea every day. Many experts and medical practitioners suggest that chamomile may be one of the safest relaxing herbs to try. Usually, this herb may help users with mild anxiety disorders. However, a recent study proved that it might also help reduce moderate and severe anxiety symptoms. The 2016 study indicates that of all the users experiencing GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) who took 500 mg chamomile thrice a day, more than half of users reported better results in terms of reduced symptoms. The study lasted for eight weeks.

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3. Kava

Kava, the root of the plant found in the pacific islands, can act as a natural alternative to anti-anxiety medication. That is because the effects of this herb can be quick, making it ideal for acute anxiety relief situations. For instance, consuming kava after a stressful situation can show better results because its effects usually start within fifteen to twenty minutes post-consumption. The best thing is that kava does not cause any sedative effects on the brain but only calms and relaxes the stressed muscles of the brain. In a placebo-controlled study, most users reported reduced anxiety symptoms after an average of 120 to 240 mg kava consumption every day for a few weeks.

4. Ashwagandha

One of the oldest herbs, ashwagandha, is renowned for its calming and stress-relief properties. We have already mentioned how stress plays a crucial role in causing various anxiety disorders. Ashwagandha may help with anxiety by acting upon the primary factor causing it: stress. It does this by regulating the cortisol and adrenaline levels in the body. Cortisol is the primary stress hormone, and increased levels of cortisol indicate high stress. Regular use of ashwagandha for a specific duration will eventually bring the body’s stress response to a minimum. Ashwagandha is an ideal option for people experiencing anxiety due to past traumatic experiences. Moreover, users report that ashwagandha may also help in uplifting one’s mood and making one feel more energetic every day.

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5. Lemon Balm

Here’s another effective herb that may help reduce the effects of anxiety, stress, and other mood-related disorders. The herb belongs to the mint family and has the scent of lemon. According to an article published in Fox News, users consuming around 600 mg of this herb reported feelings of improved and better mood accompanied by a boost in alertness and calmness. Another research performed in 2014 revealed positive effects on users with reduced anxiety levels and improved mood. Researchers added lemon balm to food items like yogurt and other beverages along with sweeteners. Participants of both groups witnessed positive results. In general, 300 to 600 mg of lemon balm thrice a day can be enough to keep anxiety at bay.

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Final Thoughts

Those were the five natural herbs that may help to deal with anxiety. It’s always better to buy these herbs from trusted and reliable sources. By doing so, you can avoid any possible adverse effects of the herbs. Apart from the herbs mentioned above, ginger, lavender, and theanine may also help reduce anxiety, thanks to their anti-oxidative and anxiolytic properties.