10 Easy All Natural Remedies for Anxiety

Get well card, chamomile tea and fresh lemon

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Oh no, here it comes again! Those anxious feelings about (take your pick here) money, family, love, health, work, or whatever it is that brings you anxiety. Your heart starts racing, your breath is rapid and shallow, you are imaging all the terrible things that are about to happen and you can’t do anything about it, if you only could find a way to relax!

Whether you are experiencing a full blown anxiety attack or if you are simply freaking out a little, your first thoughts might be that you need some prescription med’s. But don’t go that route yet. There are many safe, all natural remedies for anxiety that might help you. Some take a few weeks, others work right away, but before you call your doctor, check out our list of the top 10 anxiety remedies that don’t require a prescription.

1. Chamomile

If you are feeling anxious or jittery, sometimes all it takes is a cup of chamomile tea to calm you down. There are compounds in chamomile that stick to the same brain receptors as Valium does. You might also want to consider taking a supplement. The University of Pennsylvania Medical Center conducted a study where patients with generalized anxiety disorder took chamomile supplements for 2 months. At the end of that time, they stated that they had a significant decrease in their anxiety levels when compared to those who only took a placebo.

2. Eat More Omega-3’s

Many people think fish oil is only good for their heart but they are also good at protecting you from both depression and anxiety (Find out benefits of fish oil). Experts will tell you that you should get your omega-3’s from food when you can. Oily, cold water fish are your best source of omega-3’s, fish like wild salmon and sardines.

3. Lavender

The completely safe but totally intoxicating scent of lavender might be considered an emotional anti-inflammatory. A study done in Greece with dental patients showed that they felt much less anxiety if the waiting room was scented with lavender. Another study, done in Florida, had students inhale lavender before an exam. They, too, stated that they felt much less anxiety during their test.

SEE ALSO: 10 Reasons to Laugh More Often

4. Passionflower

No, it’s not an aphrodisiac, no matter what the name implies; it’s a sedative. The government in Germany has approved its use for nervous restlessness. Studies have shown that it can reduce anxiety symptoms just as effectively as prescription drugs. Passionflower is also commonly used for insomnia.

Since passionflower is a powerful sedative, don’t take it with other sedative herbs or if you are taking a prescription. Also, since passionflower builds up in the body, don’t take it for more than one month at a time.

5. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm has been used since the Middle Ages to reduce anxiety and stress, as well as improve sleep. One study involved healthy participants who took a 600mg of lemon balm stated that they felt more alert as well as calmer than those who took a sugar pill. Lemon balm is sold as a capsule or in a tea form. Sometimes it’s combined with chamomile and valerian.

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Transparent cup of green tea with lime on wooden background

Photo credit: bigstock

6. Green Tea

Some people have said that they watched Buddhist monks meditate for hours on end and remain alert, yet relaxed. Perhaps one of the many things that made this possible was the amino acid in their green tea. Research shows that this important amino acid, called L-theanine, lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety. Adding lemon to your tea can increase the amount of amino acids your body can absorb so drink up! Just be sure to drink freshly brewed tea as the bottled stuff has no nutritional benefits.

7. Hops

Yes, we know it’s in beer but we’re not suggesting you drink beer daily. The compound in hops that you need to calm you down is a very volatile oil that you need to use in the way of tinctures or extracts. You could even buy an aromatherapy pillow filled with the calming scent of hops. In and of themselves, hops are very, very bitter, so you won’t see it much in the way of tea, unless you can find some that has been combined with chamomile or mint.

8. Valerian

Although many herbal supplements calm you without making you sleepy, such as green tea, while others can make you quite drowsy. Valerian is definitely one of those that can induce sleep. It’s well known for its sedative compounds and is commonly used for those with insomnia. Most people take valerian as a pill, rather than a tea, because the fact is, valerian smells kinda nasty. Take it in the evenings before bedtime. You often find valerian combined with other types of sedative type herbs such as chamomile or hops. Read also how to store herbs and spices right.

9. Try a Forest Bath

The word for this in Japanese is shinrin-yoku, which literally means “forest bath.” In English, we call it a walk in the woods. The Japanese did a study that measured changes in people who spent 20 minutes a day in a beautiful forest, walking amidst the beautiful, earthy smells. Those who took a forest bath daily had much fewer stress hormones than those who took their walks in urban settings.

10. Make it Hot

Ever notice how relaxed you feel after using a sauna or taking a soak in a hot bath? Heating up the muscles reduces tension and anxiety. Warming up your body, and relaxing with a nice hot cup of tea, relaxes you and boosts your mood. Many people associate feeling warm with good feelings and a sense of relaxation. Think lying on the beach in the sun, or sitting in a Jacuzzi after work. Even the thought makes you smile, doesn’t it? Try anything that warms up your body, hot showers, hot baths, and a blazing fire, to see if it doesn’t help calm your anxiety.

Sources:

Health.com

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One Comment

Asger Lauritsen

Jan 1, 2015 at 4:18 am

Thanks for the list, It helps me a little bit on how to treat social anxiety by yourself. I don’t know what should I do every time my anxiety attacks.