subject: Fighting Anxiety With Natural Remedies [print this page] Fighting Anxiety With Natural Remedies Fighting Anxiety With Natural Remedies
Anxiety can be caused by many circumstances. Conventional medication for anxiety often makes sufferers dependent. In contrast, natural anxiety remedies are not addictive and therefore a better choice. Let's explore some of the most popular types of natural healing remedies for anxiety and how to use them.Herbal remedies Relaxing and calming herbs such as valerian, hops, passionflower, chamomile and lemon balm are excellent for treating anxiety. You can easily make herbal remedies yourself or buy them. Ready-made remedies are usually herbal mixtures containing several anxiety reducing herbs. If you want to take herbs individually or make your own herbal remedies for anxiety, follow the recommendations below.Valerian is an excellent herb for the nervous system and helps you to relax. It forms the basis for many over the counter remedies for anxiety and sleep disorders. Symptoms like a raised pulse rate, heart palpitations and slightly raised blood pressure, all associated with anxiety, can be treated successfully with valerian. Valerian is best taken as a 1:1 tincture and can be used for up to four weeks. For such long term treatment adults should take no more than 1ml diluted with some water, up to three times a day. As a one-off treatment, e.g. before a stressful situation, 5ml diluted in water can be taken two hours and then again 30 minutes before the event. It works quite quickly and you should feel the relaxing effects within half an hour. Hops is suitable for people who worry too much. It is a strong relaxant and combines well with valerian and passionflower. It should also be taken as a tincture but of a different strength (1:2) and diluted with water. Adults can take up to 1ml for each dose, 1-3 times a day.Passionflower is a good substitute for valerian if you have trouble sleeping. Take a 1:2 strength tincture, 1-3 times a day. The maximum dose for adults is 2ml diluted in water.Lemon balm and chamomile are taken as a tea. Adults may drink between one and three cups of lemon balm tea a day. Alternatively, drink 2-3 cups of chamomile tea regularly. To make the tea, infuse two teaspoons of the herb in boiling water for each cup or use two teabags.Bach flower remediesFlower essences such as Bach flower remedies were specifically developed for emotional problems and are therefore well suited for the treatment of anxiety. The best known one is probably the rescue remedy which contains equal amounts of five flower remedies. Depending on the situation you can take four drops in 30ml of water or in emergencies four drops directly onto your tongue.Other Bach flower remedies that can be used for treating anxiety are rock rose, mimulus, sweet chestnut, aspen and cherry plum. You can take them individually or mix several together. If you do so, use two drops of each chosen remedy and mix them in a 30ml amber dropper bottle. Shake the mix well before filling the bottle with water and shake again. Take four drops of the mix four times daily. In crisis situations you can take it more frequently.Essential oilsAnother option to treat anxiety is to use essential oils for a massage. This treatment can be used on its own or to complement the other two above. Suitable oils include basil, clary sage, geranium, lavender and sweet marjoram. Essential oils should not be used neat on the skin, so mix them into a carrier oil such as vegetable oils. For maximum effect you can use two or three essential oils together in a mix. Six drops of essential oils in the mix are safe to use for regular treatment, for a one-off treatment you can use up to 12 drops.Natural remedies for anxiety are safe and effective. They can also be taken in alongside orthodox medicines. By following the advice given above you can cure occasional anxiety quickly and gently.
