Help with Anxiety
We all have times when we feel anxious, it is just part of being human. But if you feel this way and find that there is no reason for it, then the persistent worries can take its toll on your health. It might be possible that you have an anxiety disorder that is generalized. Maybe you are feeling restless or tense, on edge or just impatient with little concentration. Today, more and more people are turning to natural remedies for anxiety instead of the drugs that come from doctors which all have their own side effects.
You might have already noticed changes in your health such as jaw pain, difficulty sleeping, muscle tension or headaches that are caused by this anxiety feeling you have. Maybe you are feeling tightness in your chest, a dry mouth, bloating, excessive sweating or indigestion. It is important to speak to your doctor first so that any other serious condition can be ruled out first. There are medical problems that can resemble anxiety, so better to be safe than sorry.
One popular folk remedy that was used for insomnia and anxiety is the herb called passionflower. There have been studies done that showed the effectiveness of this flower when taken for anxiety. There was a study done that compared denzodiazepine drugs to passionflowers and found them very similar. But when compared to this drug, those in the study who took passionflower felt they had less drowsiness and better job performance. Sedatives that are combined with passionflower should only be taken under medical supervision. Another alternative for anxiety is massage therapy. Like Shiatsu, these forms of bodywork can lessen tension in the body, improve your sleep and relieve stress. There is also help to be had from self hypnosis, meditation, yoga, tai chi and breathing exercises. These are all ways to reduce stress that causes anxiety. As we are all different and react differently to things, you need to try to see what works for you. There is also an herb called Valerian and is best known for its effect on insomnia. Its use for anxiety is limited. Kava is another herb and used by native Polynesians. This herb is known for its anti anxiety effect but misuse has been reported to cause liver injury. An amino acid called GABA, Gamma-aminobutyric Acid, has been shown to effect the physiology of anxiety as it affects the GABA receptors in the brain, but how much can reach this portion of the brain in not clear.
