General practitioners have been touting anxiety as the most commonly reported mental health symptom in recent decades. It is reported much more frequently than depression and all other mental health symptoms combined. The cause is unknown, but many have speculated that our fast-paced society and increased stress has caused an epidemic of new anxiety sufferers. Those individuals who are opposed to taking prescription medication for anxiety do not have to suffer silently. There are alternative choices for anxiety treatment.
Types
There are several types of herbal remedies that have been touted as effective natural treatments for anxiety. For centuries, western medicine practitioners have administered natural herbs such as kava kava and valerian root to successfully treat and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and irritability.
Benefits
The benefits of using a natural, herbal remedy for anxiety is that the side effect profile is likely to be much better than for prescription medications. One disadvantage of prescription medications is that they are synthetic, and our body doesn't recognize certain compounds. This is the chief cause of side effects.
Theories/Speculation
The calming and anti-anxiety benefits of herbal medications are thought to be caused by the relaxing effects on the central nervous system. By slowing down nerve impulses, it is thought to have calming properties that induce a state of relaxation.
History
The use of herbs for disease and symptom control has been around for hundreds of years. In fact, most pharmaceuticals have been created by studying the structure and effects of natural herbs on the human body. Many prescription medications are simply synthetic versions of naturally-occurring plants and herbs.
Warning
Before beginning any natural herbal supplement, please discuss this with your general healthcare practitioner. Herbal remedies can also cause drug interactions in the same manner as prescription medications. Use caution with herbal remedies as much as you would any other medication, and always consult your doctor beforehand.
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