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Natural Herbs for Anxiety
With the changing pace of the world, it is becoming increasingly common to hear about people experiencing conditions like panic disorders and anxiety attacks. The fast pace and frenetic order of demands in modern living and expectations of people are weighing down many a stalwart too, so it comes as no surprise when American doctors reveal that over 6.5% of the population has suffered from a diagnosable Anxiety Disorder at some point in time. Many of these have looked to pop a pill to get them through the day and also suffered the side effects that come along with quick-cure-alls. However, hope is at hand and its natural and herbal too!
Changing medical trends: natural herbs to treat anxiety
Natural herbs for anxiety relief are fast taking over the bastion of synthetic drugs in the medical world, with more people wanting a safer and healthier alternative to the discomforting results of prescription drugs. While prescription drugs used to treat anxiety, be it Diazepam, Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Inderol, Clonidine, Imipramine or Wellbutrin were commonly used in many households and offices, the changing trends have given alternative medicine a thumbs up and herbs are now ruling the health scene for dealing with stress and giving relief.
Natural and safer options: St. James Wort and Kava-Kava herbs for anxiety
While most of the prescription drugs used so far are effective for people and treat the problem of anxiety effectively, they are still psychiatric drugs that may have dangers in long term use. Therefore, when herbalists give stressed out patients the option of a safer and natural alternative, like St. John's Wort, it is an instant pick-me-up. This natural herb is primarily used to treat mild to moderate depression.
Kava-Kava, on the other hand is a root that is used to treat stress, anxiety and states of high tension associated with depression. Sometimes both St. James Wort and Kava-kava are used in combination to treat depression. When used on its own, Kava-Kava can help with insomnia, stress and anxiety that may or may not be related to depression. This root in low doses helps to improve activity and awareness while larger doses can induce drowsiness in a person. Health experts caution the new user on the levels of kava supplementation, which should have a standardized kavalactone content of .70mg in extract form that can be taken thrice daily for a total of 210mg. If using a decoction, it should be between 2-4mg and the herb should be boiled in water and taken thrice a day to treat insomnia, anxiety and bring down stress levels.
Precautions for users of Kava kava
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned users in March 2002 that the herb Kava-kava can possibly cause liver damage if the use is not monitored. Thus, persons on liver-compromising medications or with liver diseases need to consult a physician before taking kava. Even when using natural aids for health and healing, it is prudent to check with a medical expert first.