Natural anxiety remedies can provide relief from what can be debilitating and very unpleasant symptoms.
JPGNatural anxiety remedies can provide relief from what can be debilitating and very unpleasant symptoms.

Anxiety affects your whole being. It is a physical, behaveioral, and phychological reaction all at once. Whether it is a comparatively simple case of pre-exam nerves or a chronic condition that seriously impairs the sufferer’s quality of life, there are several effective, safe methods of controlling the symptoms without resorting to pharmaceutical medications and their associated side effects.When confronted by panic attacks, sleepless nights and difficulty in concentration, some people will go to their doctor, while others will self-medicate or try one of an increasing number of easily accessible natural remedies. In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is now advising doctors to not use antidepressants as a first line therapy. Eastern approaches to mental health therapy include such remedies as Tai chi, meditation and yoga. Technically speaking, Tai chi is a martial art, although the techniques used in fighting are not applied to restoring health and mental balance. It has been practiced in China for hundreds of years and is growing in popularity in the West. Meditation is another approach to managing stress and controlling anxiety. Originating in the East, it is a general term for physical and mental exercises designed to focus the mind in the present moment. Studies show that it could be effective in children to lead them away from some of the violent behaviors that seem to be reported regularly in the media. Various herbal concoctions have been tried by many. Camomile tea is a popular gentle relaxant. An ancient remedy, passion flower, has been rediscovered. Passion flower is not totally without side effects. It should be used under medical supervision and certainly not in combination with sedatives. It should not be used by pregnant women. There are suggestions that it may be as effective as some of the benzodiazepines, such as valium, in relieving insomnia and anxiety. Dried lavender or hops are often sewn into little pillows to help ease the user into a gentle sleep. The herb valerian is available as a tea, liquid or in capsule form. In clinical trials using valerian, valium and placebo, no significant statistical differences were shown between the three groups. Valerian should be taken on hour before bedtime but for no longer than three months. Kava, an herbal plant that is native to Polynesia, has been shown to have anti-anxiety effects in humans. Dietary supplements containing it should be used with caution. The active ingredients are found in the root of the plant and are known as kavalactones. Its mechanism of action appears to be in the modulation of certain neurotransmitters, natural chemicals in the brain that carry messages from one nerve cell to another. Aromatherapy in the form of essential oils that can be massaged into the skin, added to the bath or heated in infusers may also work. Some of the oils that have been found effective are bergamot, geranium, cypress, rose and lavender. Lavender is particular popular. Regular gentle exercise, such as twenty minutes three times a week, have also been shown to be effective. Always consult a qualified medical practitioner before embarking on any regime of self help.

 

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