[Amandas256]

Does anyone know of an Herbal medication that helps curb anxiety? I can't take Xanax or Klonipin because I have addiction issues with them. Any ideas or thoughts on this is greatly appreciated!

[Rapunzel]

Chamomile, valerian, kava, peppermint, ... - there are a lot of herbal teas marketed to promote relaxation and sleep. I use several of these teas, and they do help me to get to sleep, but I am not sure how much they help with anxiety. Preparing a cup of herbal tea and sitting down with it, experiencing the moment - that can reduce anxiety. Especially after the house has quieted down and the kids finally went to bed.

Be aware that herbs are generally less potent and milder than prescription alternatives, but they still work in similar ways and also can have side effects and even the potential for abuse. Kava is the herb most associated with reducing stress and anxiety, but should not be used excessively, as it is also associated with liver damage in people who overdo it. Herbs can lose effectiveness too, just like other meds (tolerance). When I started using St. John's Wort and herbal remedies for relaxation and sleep, it would knock me out fairly quickly. Now the effects are much less noticeable.

Doctors use other medications besides benzos to treat anxiety, such as SSRIs and a selection of others, including antihistamines too. My pdoc wasn't willing to try a benzodiazapine - it is standard to try an SSRI like zoloft first.

The most natural way to manage anxiety is by changing your thoughts and behavior. Medication can give you some help, but therapy (or self-help and similar ways to change what you do and how you cope, etc.) is the only way to actually address anxiety by its roots. And it is completely natural and drug-free. It just takes more time and more effort.

[Denise26]

Valerian has helped me a lot in the past, also burn lavender or take hot baths with it in the water, that helps too... Kava is more for long term treatment in small doses, valerian is for immediate use. Also there is a company called energique that sells something called valericom thats an herbal mix, and Rescue Remedy - thats for sudden traumatic moments like if you got into a wreck or something you would take it immediatly. Cant remember what's in it but I know it helped me a lot too...

[la doctora]

My pdoc told me that fish oil (omega 3 and 6 fatty acids) is very good to reduce anxiety. I take it, but I also take other meds for my anxiety, so I really can't report how well it works. I hope that you find something that works for you.

[Fresia]

My doc also suggested omega 3's and b-complex. It helped a little.

Lavender oil is supposed to be soothing: on the pillow, dabbed on the temples and wrists, and/or to burn candles. Haven't tried this yet though.

[BlackPup]

don't know if they are available in US but we have these homeopathic remedies called bach flowers. they have all kinds of combinations for different things but there is one mix called rescue remedy for stress. the good thing is that as they are homeopathic, there are no drug interactions like you can get with st johns wort and other herbs... but the down side is that they are homeopathic so who knows if they actually work

[Trying & Caring]

Mindfulness techniques have been very helpful for me (learned in DBT). I took Klonopin or Xanax at night for 20 yrs. (low dosage) as that was when the anxiety caused physical symptoms (chest pains, shortness of breath) that prevented me from sleeping. I never took the meds during the day as they did made me sleepy & I didn't want to sleep my life away! But now after learning these techniques I have been able to discontinue Klonopin, etc. except in the rare case when have a very strong panic attack (only happened a couple times) when I thought I was having a heart attack & husband said to try my anti-anxiety meds & they did "cure" me. I have been tested extensively for heart problems as the symptoms I have resemble having a heart attack.

[musikcrazy]

The best natural supplement I have found is called CALM. You get it at natural food stores. It is a magnesium powder that you make as a tea. It is remarkable. I replaced my daytime Xanax XR with it.

Couple of questions... musikcrazy, did you find that the CALM has more of a quick effect, or is it something that takes awhile to feel the effects or that it's more of a "cumulative" thing?

Just bought some yesterday. Picked up just 3 packets, as I didn't want to sink the money into the larger canister not knowing these things. Thanks!

Also, for those of those who've had some success with the Bach's Rescue Remedy. Have you compared them with the pastilles of it, and if so, how would you compare them?

Really should write a post (and may yet), but in short...We've had one heck of a time (major understatement) trying to get set up with docs here (no insurance, one recently aquired min wage job, remaining savings levels into scary zone and the good ol' "not taking any new patients thing... yeah). My alprazolam (Xanax) is almost out, BF has anxiety/depression issues as well *and* his Zoloft is nearly out (even taking half the amount, trying to lessen/avoid SSRI withdrawal problems). We hope to get these issues ironed out soon, but in the meanwhile...it's pretty scary, which is compounded by having major stressors atm. Ugh. (TG I have a good supply/refill# on my Lamictal, or I would *have* to discontinue and well, that would be so NOT good...) One bright note is a place that "seems" like it may work as a stop gap measure that we are going to tomorrow (hope has been dashed so many times now, it's getting *really* hard to take, so trying to keep hope tempered...) Fingers crossed and good thoughts very much appreciated!

[Skully]

St. Johns Wart is said to work pretty well. Also SAM-e.

[Amandas256]

Thanks everyone! I'm trying Kava and I'm also trying out some different teas. I haven't been able to find CALM though. where can I get that?

Originally Posted by Amandas256

Thanks everyone! I'm trying Kava and I'm also trying out some different teas. I haven't been able to find CALM though. where can I get that?

I found it in a natural food store in the natural remedies section... recall seeing some kava in the same zone, so you were probably pretty close. The ones I saw were in plastic canisters of a couple different sizes, and also individual use single packets.

[Eloise42]

It's not herbal but for a while I was on a pill called Vistaril which I basically took as needed the same way I take Zanax. I think it's technically an anti-histamine. I'm pretty sure it's not physically addictive and I have a hard time imagining it being psychologically addictive. I know an addict can get hooked on just about anything but this pill doesn't really make you happy it just sort of made me neutral. I would take one when I was worked up and could then look at my problems in a detached objective way. It wasn't much good for escaping.