Top 10 Natural Supplements To Relieve Anxiety
Introduction
For people suffering from anxiety, life can sometimes feel like it is spinning out of control. Many supplements on the market today have shown promise when it comes to helping alleviate some of the symptoms associated with anxiety.
While supplements are not a replacement for medical care or therapy, some people simply don’t feel right taking medication. After discussing whether or not a certain supplement is safe for you to take with your physician, you may find that some supplements offer relief from anxiety.
It’s important to remember that some supplements can have severe side-effects, react poorly with certain medications, or be dangerous in large amounts. However, many of them can not only help with anxiety but improve other areas of your life as well.
Natural Anxiety Supplements
Kava Kava
Kava Kava For Anxiety
Kava Kava is an extract made from Piper Methysticum, a plant native to the Western Pacific Islands. Users of Kava Kava report feelings of relaxation and with higher doses may even feel gentle sedation and relaxation.
Kava affects the brain and other parts of the central nervous system, promoting relaxation. However, there have been many cases of liver damage, and even death, linked to kava use. While there are risks, many people swear by kava’s medicinal properties.
Pros
-May help with depression and insomnia
-Promotes Sociability
-Enhanced feeling of calm and relaxation
Cons
-Possible Liver damage
-Bitter unpleasant aftertaste
-Risks become amplified with long term use
Passion Flower
Passionflower has been used as a medicine since the 16th century. It grows throughout South America and the southern United States.
There is evidence that Kava may increase a chemical in the brain that helps regulate mood, GABA. Kava helps people with anxiety by countering neurotransmitters that cause excitement and may have a calming effect.
Pros
-Promotes calmness
-May help with sleep trouble
-Possible sedative effects
Cons
-Drowsiness
-Dizziness
-Confusion
5-HTP
5-HTP is a supplement that has shown to help people suffering from anxiety. In manufacturing, it is produced from the African plant Griffonia Simplicifolia.
5-HTP is an essential amino acid in the manufacturing of serotonin, a chemical tied to feelings of well-being and happiness. Low serotonin is one of the contributing factors to people suffering from anxiety.
Pros
-May inhibit panic attacks
-Helps with insomnia
-Evidence it may help with depression
Cons
-Daytime fatigue
-Causes sleepiness
-May cause minimal serotonin syndrome
Lavender
Lavender, both the oil and flowers from the lavender plant are used in making and preparing medicines. The oil from the lavender herb seems to have a sedating effect and may relax certain muscles in the body.
Research has shown that taking as little as 80-160 mg of lavender oil by mouth for 6-10 weeks may improve symptoms of anxiety as well as preventing recurrence in people suffering from mild to severe anxiety.
Pros
-May reduce cortisol levels and depression
-Good for daytime use
-Promotes relaxation
Cons
-Constipation
-Headache
-Increased appetite
Chamomile
Most people are familiar with Chamomile thanks to its popularity as a tea for relaxation and to help people sleep. The flower has been used medicinally for thousands of years.
In supplement form, however, there is evidence that chamomile is highly effective at treating anxiety. There is also evidence that chamomile is effective for relaxation as it produces a sedative effect.
Pros
-Treats Anxiety
-Helps with stomach ailments
-Useful in treating heartburn, nausea, and vomiting
Cons
-Drowsiness
-Causes vomiting in large doses
-Possible allergen
Valerian
Valerian is an herb that is native to Europe and also grows in Asia as well as North America. The root of Valerian is used in medicines and acts like a sedative on the brain and the nervous system.
Valerian root contains a chemical known as valerenic acid which may increase the brain’s GABA levels. GABA is a compound that quiets brain signals and has been shown to help people relax.
Pros
-Safe for children as young as 4-8 weeks old
-May increase sleep quality
-May decrease time it takes to fall asleep
Cons
-Headache
-Mental Dullness
-Morning after sluggishness
-heart disturbances
St. John’s Wort
Most people know about St. John’s Wort and its use as a depression treatment, but there is strong evidence that it can help treat anxiety as well. In fact, studies have shown that it may be just as effective at treating anxiety as some prescription anti-depressants.
The herbaceous, 5-petaled plant has been used for hundreds of years in Europe in medicines to treat a wide range of ailments.
Pros
-Considered safe to take, it’s very rare to experience any side effects
-Useful at treating depression
-Possibly as effective as prescription antidepressants
Cons
-In rare cases may cause worse anxiety
-dry mouth
-sun sensitivity
-dizziness
-upset stomach
-headache
-sexual problems
-fatigue
Fish Oil
While most people tend to avoid fats, fish oil is a healthy fat that is beneficial to overall mental health and helps treat symptoms of anxiety. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, the most important of which is arguably eicosapentaenoic acid which is linked to mood.
Omega-3s comprise the building blocks of the brain and nervous system. Since fish-oil is loaded with these fatty acids it helps to maintain healthy levels of cognitive function. Several studies have shown that taking fish oil can help alleviate anxiety.
Pros
-Raises HDL, good cholesterol
-Helps improve the efficiency of prescription anti-depressants
-Lowers triglycerides
-Lowers blood pressure
-Relieves symptoms of dry eyes
Cons
-Thins blood
-Diarrhea
-Fishy aftertaste and burps
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a natural supplement with a long history of use in medicine. It was first used medicinally by Ayurvedic practitioners in India over three thousand years ago.
Ashwagandha is a bit different than the other supplements on this list. While most of them are good at treating general anxiety symptoms, Ashwagandha has been shown to help with symptoms of agoraphobia specifically, or anxiety caused by a fear of open and crowded places.
Pros
-Increased energy and vigor
-Little to no side-effects
-Maintains heart health
Cons
-May cause early pregnancy
-May interfere with diabetes medicine
-Dry mouth
Bacopa
Bacopa, also known as Brahmi, is used regularly in traditional Indian medicine. Bacopa may increase the effects of neurotransmitters in the brain, specifically serotonin and dopamine to chemicals that are key to positive mood and well-being.
Taking a daily dose of bacopa has been shown to reduce the symptoms of anxiety in as little as four weeks. It is classified as a nootropic, type of supplement that has grown in popularity as of late known as “smart drugs,” or “Limitless pills” after the hit Bradley Cooper movie.
Pros
-May improve chemicals involved in thinking, learning, and memory
-May inhibit inflammation
-Possible antioxidant properties
Cons
-Increased bowel movements
-Stomach cramps
-nausea
-dry mouth
-fatigue
Conclusion
The supplements on this list all have shown promise when it comes to helping individuals who suffer from anxiety. They come from all over the world and many of them have been used throughout history to help with mood and feelings of well-being.
If you can only pick one out of the ten on this list, it would be best to try St. John’s Wort. Not only is it relatively safe for most people, but there is quite a bit of research behind its positive benefits. St. John’s Wort has also been shown to help with depression, something many people with anxiety suffer from as well.
Don’t wait any longer, order one of these supplements today and start feeling more relaxed, improve your mood, and feel your anxiety melt away.