Herbal Remedies For Panic Attacks And Anxiety

Here Are Your Natural Drug Free Options....

There are a number of ways in which herbs can benefit the nervous system and help in the treatment of anxiety and panic attacks.    Perhaps the most important contribution herbal medicine can make in this area is in the strengthening and tonification of the nervous system. In the case of anxiety and panic attacks herbal nerve tonics (nervines) can strengthen and nourish the tissues of the nervous system directly. In this way when the appropriate herbs are taken there is no need to resort to tranquillisers or other drugs to ease anxiety and panic attacks.   The following herbs have been used for centuries in the treatment of panic attacks and anxiety. Modern research is now beginning to validate what the traditionalists have known for years. That herbal remedies for panic attacks and anxiety work.   Oats: One of the best and also one of the most common herbal remedies for panic attacks and anxiety is oats.  Oats can be taken in a number of ways including herbal extracts, pills as well as being eaten in the form of porridge.  If you are wanting to use oats in this way do not use instant oatmeal.   Lemon Balm is another herb that is traditionally used for all complaints resulting from the disordered state within the nervous system. Recent research has shown that Lemon Balm has a profoundly calming effect and sedative action on the nervous system.  This research backs up the traditional usage of Lemon Balm as a herb that can be used in all forms of anxiety and depression and their accompanying symptoms such as headache, palpitations and insomnia   Passionflower is a commonly used herb in the treatment of all nervous complaints including anxiety, panic attacks as well as nervous complaints of the stomach and heart (gastric cramping and palpitations for example) Passionflower's strongest action and most commonly used application is as a natural sedative and as such is an excellent remedy for insomnia.   Skullcap  is a very useful herbal remedy for treating anxiety that works on two levels. Firstly it has a gentle sedative action to relax and calm an agitated nervous system. Secondly it has a tonifying action that can strengthen and support an exhausted and debilitated nervous system that can often lead to various states of anxiety and depression

While the other herbs mentioned here are have a stronger sedative action than Skullcap the value of  Skullcap as a herbal remedy for anxiety and panic attacks is that it can treat these conditions when they are directly related to continued stress and tension and the exhaustion that accompanies these states.

Probably the most common herbal remedy for panic attacks and anxiety is Valerian.  Long regarded as one of the most potent herbs in the treatment of all kinds of mental and emotional disorders Valerian's reputation was such that the pharmaceutical drug Valium was named after it.  While it has nothing in common chemically with Valium its action in helping with anxiety is similar iIn that they both affect GABA which is an amino acid involved in various states of anxiety

It is especially renowned for helping with sleeping disorders and appears to only work when there is a sleeping problem, having no effect on people who are good sleepers.  Another feature of this herbal remedy is that unlike many pharmaceutical sedatives Valerian is free of any depressing side effects and does not create dependency or addiction in the user.

While in the past these herbs may have been used individually, modern herbal medicine is about formulas and combining various herbs to increase their effectiveness and to counteract any possible side-effects that they may have. Today if you are exploring herbal remedies for panic attacks and anxiety you will in almost all cases be given a combination of herbs such as the ones we have mentioned here rather than a single herbal remedy.

One of the major attractions in using herbal remedies for panic attacks and anxiety is that they are safe and relatively free of side-effects when used appropriately.  However there are certain situations where the use of these herbs may not be appropriate. Here are some of the main areas that you need to consider before taking herbal remedies such as those we have discussed.

1) If you are already taking pharmaceutical sedatives you will need to check with your doctor about the appropriateness of adding these herbal remedies to your treatment routine. In many cases herbal remedies can be taken with medication and in fact can help in some cases to reduce the amount of medication needed. However you must consult with your health-care professional before embarking on any use of herbal supplementation if you are already taking prescribed medication.

2) Pregnancy is another possible contraindication for some herbal remedies.  Once again consulting with your doctor or natural health care practitioner can put your mind at ease and make sure you get the appropriate herbal remedy to your specific condition.

3) Combining alcohol with herbal sedatives should also be avoided, as the combination to increase the potency as was the possible risk of side-effects.

Basic common sense should always apply when using herbal remedies of any kind. Before beginning any course of herbal remedies you need to seek the guidance of a health care practitioner trained in not only herbal medicine but also how herbal medicine and pharmaceutical drugs interact with each other. This will guarantee you not only the best results from the herbal medicine you are taking it also will ensure your safety while taking the herbs.