HERBS

I thought I could get this covered in a couple posts, but I think it will be longer. You can review part I here:

What Can I DO For My Anxiety? Pt 1 – Simple Thrift and Herbs

There are many many herbs to use for anxiety, and it may take a bit to find your favorite. These are in no particular order, just as I thought of them. I would suggest using most of them as a tea for a couple reasons: In my experience, alcohol does not improve things long-term. Yes, it’s not like you’re drinking ounces of tincture, but energetically it just feels bad with anxiety or (especially) depression. If an herb is best used as a tincture, I will note that under the herb. So – let’s get started!

Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perfoliatum): For a while a few years ago, you found this in product form EVERYWHERE. Hypericum is used for depression, fear, insomnia, anxiety, and feelings of worthlessness. To really feel an effect, it needs to be taken for 4-6 weeks. It’s a great herb if you are not on any pharmaceuticals. Hypericum is detoxified using a lot of the same enzyme systems as HIV meds, anti-rejection drugs, MAO inhibitors, SSRIs, seizure meds, blood thinners, pain medication, and anti-depressants (and that’s not an exhaustive list). I don’t tend to add SJW to my formulations except for short-term use as a nervine (specific for nerve pain caused by the herpes virus). It just interacts with too much and there are other herbs out there, like…

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): Very mild herb that is even safe for children. Works well for nervous tension and nightmares – these folks are hot, irritable, cranky, and really don’t want to be comforted. Nothing you can do will help them, they are sure of it! Chamomile can be sedating to some people – something to watch for.

Milky Oats (Avena sativa): This is one that I prefer to use in tincture form, but tea also works. Oat is considered a trophorestorative for the nervous system. It is a gentle soothing remedy for anxiety that presents as exhaustion, inability to concentrate, physical weakness (especially in the limbs), and a headache.

Kava kava (Piper methysticum): This herb is for short term use only. It helps with anxiety, stress, and muscle tension by reducing hyperexcitability of neurons by effecting the sodium and calcium channels. It can be quite sedating, but in my experience, people get very relaxed and VERY chatty. I would advise using kava for a known stressful time (like the holidays!), but using it very short term. Long term use of kava can lead to liver issues. Usually, they resolve after stopping the herb, but again – why risk it when there are other options?

Linden (Tilia cordata): Another gentle herb. This one is great for relaxing nervous tension, especially if this creeps up on you later in the day. If one of your symptoms is palpitations with your anxiety, this herb and motherwort will be your friend. Linden decreases adrenal enlargement. It contains quercetin, which has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): The is good for anxiety that comes with a dull headache and inability to pay attention that is worse with noise, bright lights, and odors – That ‘just too much stimulation’ feeling. Tea is more sedative than the tincture – so a cup of this at bedtime is a really nice way to settle in. It does tend to be bitter, but would be nice with some lemon balm added, and maybe some honey.

Oh my. So many amazing herbs for anxiety, that I will have to add more next week. This may turn into having more parts than I thought!