Herbal Medicines for Anxiety
Many people are looking for alternatives to medication for anxiety.
Anxiety is the number one mental health issue in the U.S. and I certainly have seen this in my practice.
Naturopathic doctors like myself have a lot of resources at our disposal to assist with this. One of our best tools is the use of herbal medicine.
Herbal medicines can be desirable because they usually have few or no side effects. They can also help to shift our physiology in a way that may even have a lasting effect after they aren’t in our system anymore.
Here are my favorite herbal medicines for anxiety:
Passionflower
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a beautiful and fragrant flower that grows on a vine native to the Southeast United States and in South America. It was termed passionflower by Spanish missionaries that interpreted the parts of the flower as the crucifixion of Christ. Passionflower is gentle and effective for assisting with relaxation. I frequently prescribe supplements that contain passionflower with other ingredients.
Valerian
Many people think of Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) as a herb to help with sleep. If you’ve tried it in a natural formula it is the herb that is responsible for the sweaty sock smell. You may not have known that it can help with anxiety also. GABA is a neurotransmitter that helps with calming and the reduction of anxiety. One study looked at brain waves while the study subjects were using valerian and confirmed that valerian caused changes in the brain, increased alpha and theta coherence that is associated with lowered anxiety. Valerian is known to attach to GABA receptors in the brain.
Lavender
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) is in so many products, from soaps to cosmetics. Most people know that the scent can be helpful for relaxation. The lavender flower can be added to a herbal tea to help with anxiety and to add that beautiful purple hue to the blend. Lavender works by binding to both calcium channels and serotonin receptors that both assist with decreasing anxiety. It has been studied as an essential oil in an 80 mg capsule taken one to two times a day to be effective if the treatment for anxiety. It’s important to source lavender capsules that are medical grade and made for ingestion as there is a range of essential oil quality available.
Kava Kava
Kava kava (Piper methysticum) root is a medicinal plant that has been used traditionally by people native to the South Pacific. It had some bad press about 20 years due to some concerns about Kava’s impact on the liver. This has been challenged and Kava Kava is making a comeback. Kava kava bars have gained popularity as an alternative to bars or coffee houses. I have found it to be very effective in the treatment of anxiety. As a precaution, I do avoid using it in those that have elevated liver enzymes and have people take it as needed versus long-term constant use.
What about Cannabis?
Cannabis is frequently used medicinally for the treatment of anxiety. I didn’t include it on my list because it causes cognitive impairment when used and I have met too many people that abuse it or have become dependent on it. I think there is a place for it but as an addiction specialist, I use caution and get good outcomes with other means.
Teas, Capsules or Tinctures?
This is mostly a personal preference. Teas take longer to prepare and the taste is a consideration. Alcohol extracts or tinctures are absorbed rapidly but the taste may be difficult for those not accustomed to that. They are generally avoided by those with a history of alcohol abuse. Capsules are convenient but are more expensive than the other forms.
How often to take them
Anxiety can present in a number of different ways. Some people report periodic anxiety that only occurs at times such as in social anxiety when they are around other people or in certain situations. For others, they may experience the sensation of anxiousness most or all of the time. Some women may notice anxiety when they are premenstrual. Being aware of when anxiety is triggered can assist in how often a herbal remedy is effectively dosed.
For example, if someone has situational anxiety, they can anticipate that they are going to be anxious and take the herbal remedy prior to participating in that situation. For those that have anxiety on most days, it would be best to take the herbal remedy every day throughout the day. Often 3-4 times per day is effective.
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