Anti-anxiety herbs?

I have terrible panic attacks and anxiety. I've tried almost everything. Hydroxyzine, valerian, counseling, three antidepressants, deep breathing, mental exercises, and Xanax. Xanax is the only effective thing that worked.

Some were beneficial, some were not so much.

I have GERD, IBS, a stomach ulcer, and scoliosis.
Are there any supplements for anxiety that don't interfere with said conditions?

Convalescence, there are anti anxiety herbs but your psychiatrist or prescribing doc, or pharmacist are the best resources on your question about interactions.

Some natural remedies that I have used:
Chamomile, Passion Flower, Lavender, L-Theanine (amino acid), exercise, meditation, medicinal cannabis, managing blood sugar levels, getting plenty of healthy fats.

Xanax can do real damage over time.

But all of this is symptom management. I would investigate, in a truly holistic and integatrive way, what is behind all this. Most mainstream docs cannot do this, they are all specialists and mostly inept. Try naturopathic doctors.

And given your GI problems, I'd start there. The gut is everything to health.

I agree with BudFox to consult with a naturopathic doctor. I have heard L-theanine is great for anxiety. I tried it, but as luck would have it, I had an adverse reaction to it. It made me lethargic and severly depressed (suicidal). But I will say I had zero anxiety the two days I was on it. Hope you can find something that will work for you.

Taurine, magnesium (nature calm brand)

I would be leary about taking any herbs for anxiety . always consult with your doctor or your psychiatrist about it first convalescene cuz many of these herbs can counteract w meds . I too am on anti-anxiety and anti-depression meds .they are working for me cuz I take it every night before I go to bed .

Docs and Psychiatrists generally know one thing -- prescribing meds to knock down symptoms, while suppressing and ignoring the root cause. I wouldn't waste time asking them about supplements, herbs, diet.

Once you leave the narrow confines of mainstream medicine you might actually find the cause(s) of the anxiety.

I am just like you. I've suffered from worry and anxiety for years, especially after my bout with alcoholism that left my brain and body depleted of nutrients and not functioning properly. I've tried so many medicines. While some seemed to work for a little while the side effects were almost worse than the original issues I had.

I know hops is a good herb for anxiety, as well as passionflower and even catnip, however they work very short-term and you have to take alot, which adds up at the register. Recently, I've found a site online(not sure if it exactly but you can search, 'healing mental illness with vitamins', and this doctor shows how many of our mental issues are due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies in the brain and body. These means are neurons are not firing off properly which leads to anxiety, depression, adhd and symptoms of mania and psychosis. Anyway, you can read more online but he suggests a whole regime of vitamins on his website.
I started a couple days ago and already feel better. Most of them are basic vitamins like b vitamins, multi and minerals that do not cost much and it's worth the investment. Like I said, I don't have the specific website but you can type in healing mental illness with vitamins and get lots of advice.
What he also mentioned was that sometimes psych drugs cannot even work properly if there are basic underlying deficiences..wish I would have been told that before ..by a doctor.. but our rda allowance for vitamins is only preventative just for major diseases..way less than we should be taking.
So, I'm trying that out...I"ll keep you posted on my progress.

MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT THAT WORKS

This is the kind of info that people need. The article mentions taking an EFA supplement (eg fish oil), which is another safe simple way to really help your brain. Or just eating lot of healthy fats.

A naturopath or MD who practices functional or integrative medicine can help pu together a protocol.

These lazy ignorant docs who Rx dangerous psych drugs without addressing basic nutrition are guilty of malpractice. Quacks masquerading as experts.

I think it's sad when a general doctor recommends these things to me - yet a psychiatrist at MUCH more Expensive Rates just wants to give out meds and talk.

Even though you told p-doc you're eating habits have changed so drastically in past year. It's new general doctor always advising about nutrition, and getting back to my old eating pattern, which was very healthy. Just no strength, or motivation, to cook anymore....

amen budfox amen i don't have faith in anti-anxiety herbs at all!!!

I never said that, I am totally in favor of herbs/plant-based medicines. Drugs are the problem, IMO, except in acute or emergency situations.

Lemon balm.*Preliminary research shows lemon balm can reduce some symptoms of anxiety, such as nervousness and excitability. Lemon balm is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for short-term use, but can cause nausea and abdominal pain.

Try antihistamines....hydroxyzine is actually prescribed for anxiety...also an antihistamine.

Kava Kava

Kava (also known as Kava Kava) is possibly the most effective herbal supplement for moderate and severe anxiety. The Kava root has been extensively researched for its effects on stress, anxiety, and insomnia. Unlike other herbal anxiety supplements, kava is not only effective for anxiety symptoms - it's effective for anxious thoughts as well. However, kava has been linked to a few health scares, so it's advised to talk to your doctor before taking kava, especially if you drink alcohol, take any other medicines, or have any liver problems.

Avoiding mixing herbs with prescription medications or alcohol without consulting a doctor.


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Valerian made me feel stoned and felt no better than a psych drug.

I find chamomile and lavender work very well!

I found great relief from well-sourced, concentrated NONI juice. It is high in potassium and gave me relief from crippling anxiety/debilitating depression (alternating, it was quite a roller coaster) after a horrid job situation took months to resolve.

I was so impressed at the effects that I had a friend do an extensive search of research and there is something to this!

I was on anti-depressants for a short while and they were not for me. Work for others but I had to be scraped off the ceiling and had SI.

ehhh....I both agree and disagree with you. The "fifteen minute med check" is becoming far too commong in both psychiatry and primary care.

Fortunately not all practitioners are taking the easy way out.Integrative medicine is becoming more accepted to open minded practitioners in the medical community.

Ditto. I threw the stuff away. It made me feel dissociated and the scary part was not knowing when I'd come out of it.

Yes, but.....its still hard for many people to find these kinds of practitioners given that they're primarily in urban centers and there's the issue of whether or not you can afford them, insurance, etc.

I know my opinion isn't popular, but I still say just start experimenting with various herbals, supplements, etc. I have had a LOT help from amino acids myself.

Of course, people tell you to check for interactions with your doctor, but IMHO that's a bunch of crud....yeah, if you want to get technical, you should start asking your doc about nicotine interactions before you take anything, caffeine interactions, ibuprofen interactions....... The whole "interaction" scare is just done to drum up $$$. You really can do this safely on your own. Research all possible interactions (there are drug interaction websites online that will know TONS more than any doctor ever will). Start out SLOWLY. Listen to your body.

We don't all have a ton of $$$ to be throwing around at these doctors, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't have access to natural remedies, either.

Just be smart about it, and do your homework. The chances of having a severe reaction....given that you've done all of your research....is quite small.

Ashwagandha is known as one of safest herbs with strong stress relieving properties and nervous exhaustion tissue damage repair. Started about a week ago, calming yet energizing.

Two days ago, purchased The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook a couple days ago. Favorite and recommend it. The book is set up more for herbal practitioners.

Lists a main "general" condition such as Lungs. Lists basic herbs. Then more specific symptoms..asthma specific herbs.......dry mucus specific herbs...wet mucus specific herbs. Reference to blending and building herbal formulas. Also has a on prescription drug interactions per condition and chart at back of book.

Anxiety and IBS are conditions listed in the book.

The herb specific information is a starting point. I don't have any of the listed herbs. Researched property type and found a same property herb I do have. Experiment with the two herbs.

I keep detailed notes on new herbs. Obvious reactions internal external including bowels movements, skin etc. Outdoor weather is sweating herb related or humidity, etc.

Depending on herb type...faster acting or longer term is number of days. Then condense personal info on herb card and add herb to specific property type, etc. So I can cross reference personal experiences and add and/or subtract herbs based on personal needs.

Yes there are dedicated practitioners of natural medicine. But I was referring to the fact that regular practitioners are becoming more open to these remedies. I am a family practice physician assistant and I use a variety of these approaches if my patient is interested in it. And I'm in rural midwest, with the overwhelming majority of my patients being medicaid patients. So you can find it, just an important question to ask in the initial visit just as someone would ask the approach a therapist uses.

Natural Calm. Powder that you put in liquid to drink.

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I've used this product. Seems to be high quality and is very popular. Can get at Whole Foods market. I had to stop though cuz I think it irritates my gut.

It's basically a Magnesium supplement. There is also a version with Calcium and some other minerals/vitamins added. Mag and Calcium have synergistic relationship and need to be kept in proper balance/ratio.

Hi, I have enjoyed some relief through Bach Flower Remedies. Also, I heard that acupuncture might work as well. Sugar really affects me, and Diet Coke does as well. You could have a food sensitivity which often makes you feel worse. Might be worth looking into your diet. I wholeheartedly agree with BudFox. There are some Docs, who refuse to look into safer alternatives. Probably because there is not money it it like there is with the big drug companies.