Many turn to prescription drugs when dealing with stress and anxiety, but there are many herbal remedies to combat these feelings as well, without the pharmaceutical side effects.  Symptoms of anxiety include tense shoulders, insomnia, grinding teeth, heart palpitations, feelings of panic and uneasiness.  Perhaps the most shocking fact about stress is that it affects your body systemically, not just in one area.  This stress can originate from anywhere and, at a basic level, is your body’s reaction to situations that can be perceived as potentially dangerous. For this reason, it is important to combat both stress and anxiety. Below are some of the most potent herbal remedies to try in this battle against stress and anxiety:

Chamomile

·       This common herb is part of the daisy family

·       Historically used as a mild sedative to reduce anxiety and aid in sleep

·       Tea can help calm you down, which is why people typically drink it before bed

·       Some compounds in chamomile work on the brain in a way similar to that of anxiety-reducing drugs like Xanax and Valium

Passion Flower

·       This herb is a potent sedative

·       In Germany it is approved for use against nervous restlessness

·       In certain studies passion flower was shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety just as effectively as prescription drugs

·       Can make you drowsy and sleepy, hence why it is used to treat insomnia

Green Tea

·       The amino acid in green tea, L-theanine, reduces heart rate and lowers blood pressure

·       This can reduce anxiety 

·       Can help make you calmer and more focused, which for most will reduce the feeling of anxiety

Ashwagandha

·       Historically known to be one of the most powerful healing herbs

·       has been used since ancient times for a wide variety of conditions

·       most well-known for its restorative benefits

·       Herb belongs to the same family as the tomato

·       Native to the dry regions of India, northern Africa, and the Middle East

·       Commonly used to alleviate stress, fatigue and anxiety

·       Unlike chamomile, fights anxiety and the effects of stress without making you sleepy

Lemon Balm

·       Named after the Greek work for “honey bee” (Melissa)

·       Known to reduce stress and anxiety, as well as act as a sleep aid

·       Powerhouse for fighting feelings of anxiousness

·       Not clear exactly what compound in lemon balm acts as a soothing agent

·       Herbal studies have shown those who drank lemon balm tea had reduced symptoms of anxiety, slept better and were generally in a better mood

·       Studies have also shown that lemon balm extract increases calmness and alertness

Lavender

·       Lavender is known by its potently aromatic purple flowers

·       When these flowers are concentrated into an essential oil, the smell or inhaling this essential oil can act as an anxiety buster

·       Studies have shown that when the aromatic molecules enter the brain, they interact with our centers of emotion and sedate them

·       By calming these areas, feelings of stress and anxiety are relieved  

·       This is why so many bath products, and massage oils include lavender in the ingredients