What are good herbal remedies for anxiety?

**bishvabis** · 11-06-2011 04:32 PM

I am without health insurance, and suffer from moderate anxiety/depression (diagnosed by my doctor) and am looking for information on herbal or natural remedies to help calm my anxiety. I have tried st. johns wart more than once, and didn't notice any difference, and I am looking for other herbs and such that might help, preferably with knowledge from experience.

**ItsASecret** · 11-06-2011 04:50 PM

You can try some different teas to help calm you down, I have bouts of anxiety and I just drink a cup of hot tea and it helps me relax. But herbals and "natural" cures are a lot of snail oil salesmen type deals. A lot who sell products, especially online, will refuse to provide real evidence and instead they think saying "I tried it I liked it" testimonials are proof but really that is nowhere near a valid proof. St. John's wort is probably the most extensively studied of all depression/anxiety herbals around but it is very hit and miss with results. You will get people saying yes it helps and others saying there is no reason to believe it does. Much of the herbals, if they have an effect, will work with the placebo effect though (no scientific reason for them to work but they still make you feel better), which is not all that bad if you do end up feeling better. Kava is also a popular anti-anxiety herbal medicine however it has the potential for some pretty severe toxicity.

You do not need to see a doctor for medication though, you can see a pharmacist even at Walmart and ask them what their opinion would be on certain herbals or supplements that may help (they will likely say nothing will absolutely help). Another place to look is the herbal shops, the certified ones though. Wherever you look DO NOT shop online, people lie (snake oil salesmen), people fake products, and people will do anything to make a product seem like it will cure everything under the sun when really it can land you in the hospital instead. DO NOT buy online.

Outside of herbals there is the option of acupuncture which a lot of people swear by for any sort of ailment.

**Magnetism** · 11-07-2011 06:34 PM

I have heard of 5HTP, which is a natural serotonin booster. Eating right and healthy also makes a difference in the anxiety/depression.

**healthmom** · 12-21-2011 10:54 AM

I know this is not a herbal remedy but have you tried meditation? I believe this is by far the most effective remedy for anxiety out there.

If you have never tried to meditate in the past then this is a something I highly recommend you try.

Meditation is free, it has tremendous benefits for anybody who practices on a regular basis and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind it can help relieve anxiety if you stick with it. You will begin to feel more calm, in control, and it helps distinguish those negative thoughts..believe me…this method works.