In the UK anyway, doctors are reluctant to give out any benzos unless its for short term use only - for example, to combat the increased anxiety which comes from SSRI start-up or if somebody is scared of flying but has to take a plane.

In some ways I'm kind of jealous how people in the US and other countries seem to get repeat prescriptions for a variety of benzos fairly easily - in the UK, a 28 day supply of valium is like winning the lottery! They work very effectively, but as others have said, you only want to take them now and again to avoid tolerance.

If you want to go for herbal anxiolytics, passiflora is supposed to be effective, and according to one trial, was as effective as oxazepam but with fewer side effects. Valerian is supposed to be helpful but didn't do anything for me. Chamomile tea is helpful to me whenever I feel physically tense.