Remedies for Depression

Posts Tagged ‘anxiety attacks’

It is important to first understand exactly what Anxiety Attacks in order to then be able to treat them.
What Are Anxiety Attacks?
Anxiety attacks can be described as sudden unexpected bursts of extreme severe anxiety. Usually there are at least 3 to 4 additional physical and cognitive panic signs and symptoms, which can include:
– Shortness Of Breath
– Chest Pains
– Dizziness and Light-headedness
– Tingles, Numbness
– Loss of Control
…there are others.
An actual anxiety attack normally peaks within 5 to 10 minutes and can take up to 1 hour to completely subside and disappear.
Many studies have suggested that an estimated 30-35% of the population have had a single anxiety attack before in their lifes - which is twice as common in women compared to mean - just like cases of depression.
Treating Anxiety Attacks
There is one key factor that makes the difference between those who fully eliminate panic attacks from their lives and those who do not. The key ingredient is not medication, lifestyle changes, or relaxation exercises. It is when the individual no longer fears the thought of having a panic attack.
This may seem like a simplified and obvious observation but give it careful consideration. The one thing that has you searching for a solution to anxiety and panic attacks this very moment is the fear of having another one.
In my opinion, the best way to stop future anxiety attacks is to give people the ability to immediately stop fearing another panic attack. It is very simple yet amazingly effective. Here is how it works:
After a person experiences a panic attack for the first time, the experience can be so impacting that it leaves a strong imprint on the persons psyche. This mental imprint generates a cycle or loop of anxiety whereby the person develops an unhealthy fear of having another panic attack. People can spend anywhere from months to years caught in this repetitive cycle of anxiety.
By following this process, it can allow that person to break the cycle of anxiety and return to normal everyday living.
The really unique element of the technique, is that there is no need for you to regress into your past and find out why you had your initial panic attack in order to get results. All that is needed is your willingness to break out of the anxiety cycle.
It is important to know that you don’t need to purchase medecine or pills etc in order to tackle anxiety and panic attacks.
This is something that can be tackled without using natural remedies.

Anxiety attacks affect more than 4 million people in the US. Recent statistics show that the percentage of people suffering from anxiety is growing. Some of the common Symptoms Of Panic Attacks are: excessive sweating, heart beat racing, fear of crowded and public places for no apparent reason, dizziness, difficulties breathing, hot flushes.

Thus, there are cases when patients are not treated the right way. Medication is only a short-time relief, and not a cure for anxiety. Medication such as anti-depressant are highly addictive, and not to forget their side-effects.

A common misconception is that people can not be completely treated. Advanced practitioners have proved the contrary: while anxiety is a metal disorder, medication will only reduce the levels of anxiety for a short period of time. Several methods and cures for anxiety have been successfully used by thousands of people, shocking truth is that over 98% have managed to overcome panic and anxiety.

Most Common Symptoms Of Panic Attacks

The symptoms may vary from one person to another, therefore I have made up a complete list that can help you identify and make the huge difference between the symptoms in panic attacks and the ones that occur in heart attacks, which are very similar:

* you may feel dizzy all day along * hot flushes, while in public places such as supermarkets, cinemas etc. * racing heart beats * severe headaches, especially at the back of your head * nausea * weakness and trembling * stomach pains * often shaking * you worry too much for no apparent reason * inability to meet with your friends, isolation. (this occurs in severe forms of social anxiety disorders, also known as agoraphobia). * tickling or stinging sensation through your arms, legs or feet * back pains * sleep disorders * negative thinking * feeling of unreal * fearing that you might die * fearing that a severe illness that is threatening your life

These are the symptoms of panic attacks that are often experienced by all patients. There is nothing to fear. The symptoms in panic attacks have nothing to do with heart problems or any other diseases. If you experience any of the symptoms above, then you should seek a natural cure for anxiety.

Go on and find out some of the most effective treatments and Natural Cures For Anxiety available now. You can stop anxiety and panic attacks from the comfort of your home without any medication, expensive counseling or therapies.

What causes anxiety and panic attacks? what are the symptoms of these disorders? anxiety drugs, do they really treat anxiety attacks?. These are questions asked by many people who believe they maybe suffering from one of these disorders and are scared of a life dependant on drugs for relief.

Anxiety and panic attacks are problems that affect many people on a daily basis and are more common than many people believe. If you do not suffer from one of them, then you probably know someone who suffers from these disorders, even if you do not realize it. A lot of us experience anxiety/panic some time in our lives, but for about five per cent of people it’s so severe and persistent and contols most of their daily life.Anxiety and panic attacks, are some of the most common psychological disorders and affect women more often than men, they are more common than you think. If you have this disorder, you may think that drugs are the only option to treat anxiety attacks. Medication can relieve some of the symptoms of anxiety, but it doesn’t cure the underlying problem and it’s usually not a long-term solution. Anxiety drugs also come with side effects and safety concerns, such as the risk of addiction. Many anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines work by reducing brain activity, this leads to side effects beyond anxiety relief. All benzodiazepines relieve anxiety (anxiolytic) but some act as sleeping agents too.Drug companies spend billions promoting the view that depression and anxiety are biological illnesses and can only effectively be treated with drugs. All independent research indicates that the right psychotherapeutic intervention relieves symtoms more quickly and is more likely to prevent relapse.The truth is anxiety and panic attacks are the most highly treatable of all mental health conditions. And you don’t have to rely on controversial antidepressant drugs to treat anxiety and panic attacks.

Learn more: http://panicaway=now.blogspot.com/

A good remedy for anxiety is doing by charity work. The main reason is that it allows you to set your mind off your worries and tension. Here are two remedies that will help you reduce tension and nervousness in anxiety.

* Charity Work

While helping others you get the chance to take the focus of yourself. This is a great way to overcome anxiety. You distract your mind while doing a pleasant activity. You should feel good about yourself and always consider you are a wonderful person, no matter what. Helping others is divine, believe me. Charity work can easily get you more relaxed, not only you have the chance to show people that you care about others, and become more confident but you have the chance to meet new friends and get involved into discussions.

Conclusion : You should seek for charity work if suffering from depression or anxiety. It does relieve stress and overcome anxiety fast. Doing charity is one of the best remedy for anxiety.

* Reading

Take the focus off your useless worries, and get into a new dimension. I love reading adventure, historical books and science fiction. Really, life is not that bad, actually it is wonderful. However, take a moment off and focus on something else. Reading is a great method to overcome anxiety and beat the hell out of stress. Why don`t you try to live in someone else`s shoes for a while, think about it. Your troubles can be far away from you. What if you are not a kid anymore? I am sure you still enjoy reading stories. Forget about your fears, live them behind, and take your mind of the world around you. In fact it does not really matter what book you read as long as your thoughts are elsewhere. Reading is a healthy method that will relieve anxiety in minutes.

Conclusion : Reading is another form of meditation, yet another remedy for anxiety that is worth considering.

Now you can go on find out some of the most effective treatments and Natural Cures For Anxiety available now. You can stop anxiety and panic attacks from the comfort of your home without any medication, expensive counseling or therapies, all you need is to take action.

If you’ve been looking for a remedy for anxiety here are two methods that will help you relieve tension, muscle cramps, headaches, stomach pain, increase the quality of your blood circulation and most important reduce the levels of your anxiety.

* Breathing Techniques

Try to find a comfortable place, no one should disturb you while performing this technique. Focus on your breathing with your eyes closed, slowly inhale the air through your nose. You should feel your diaphragm moving up in your ribcage and extend your belly outward as you breathe. Slowly push the air out, forcing it with slow abdominal movements. Imagine that the air represents your worries and fears, and it leaves your body for good. It should no longer be part of your life !

Breathing correctly consists of a deep breath that should last for at least 5 seconds. Take your time: 3 seconds for inhaling the air though your nose, and the other 3 exhaling slowly through your mouth. Repeat the whole process up to 8 times and you`ll feel more relaxed.

Conclusion : Learn to breathe correctly, whilst breathing is vital for your health and a great body functioning. Breathing correctly is an important remedy for anxiety, and a quick step on the road to recovery.

* Green Tea

The main substance that is contained in Green Tea is the L-Thiamine which is an amino acid. Usually green tea is harvested in China, and it has been done for several centuries for its high nervous system stimulation effects. The green tea is an effective sedative for sleep disorders, anxieties, depression, and chronic stress.

L-Thiamine is a caffeine alternative, the difference is that it is not harmful for your heath. Many people prefer to drink a big cup of Green Tea instead of a coffee, may it be breakfast or lunch, Green Tea is a great mind-power stimulant and stress reliever.

Conclusion : For a gradual and calming effect try to make a habit out of drinking Green Tea in the morning. It has a long lasting effect which will not be found in medication. Tea is an effective remedy for anxiety.

Now you can go on find out some of the most effective treatments and Natural Cures For Anxiety. You can stop anxiety and panic attacks from the comfort of your home without any medication, expensive counseling or therapies, all you need is to take action.

A great remedy for anxiety is not easy to find.. When medication is useless people often seek natural ways to cure anxiety. Here are two methods that work. They are very simple to implement, just read carefully …

* Writing Your Thoughts Down

If you are anxious, you can take a plain piece of paper and write down your own thoughts, just like you would do in a diary. This way you will deliberate your mind, of the bad thoughts, that are rushing and smashing one against another. Imagine as you free yourself from all the worries and fear that threaten your health. Try to believe that will stick to the paper and never harm you anymore. Spill the bad words (worries and fears) out in front of you and make more room for peaceful thoughts, you need them, actually I would say they are vital.

Conclusion : Writing your thoughts on paper will make you realize a lot better what is actually harming you, yet another great remedy for anxiety, by deliberating your mind of the harmful thoughts.

* Hot Baths

Hot water calms and soothes you, just as nice words make you happy. Try to let your muscles relax. You can combine the hot bath with the calming effect of relaxation music and aromatherapy. This technique has been also used in the ancient roman times by people affected by mind related disorders, therefore this is a great remedy for anxiety.

Turn your bathroom into a real SPA. No one should bother or disturb you. Try to concentrate on peaceful thoughts while enjoying the bath and music. Make people understand that you need some peace and quite. Several shampoos, shaving creams, essential oils and aromatic salts contain lavender that have high calming and relaxing effects. I love lavender and I would recommend it as a remedy for anxiety to anyone that is affected by this anxiety.

Conclusion : Hot Baths do not only reduce anxiety, but they help anyone that is affected by stress, depression and any mind disorder. Taking hot baths more often is healthy for your mind and body.

Now you can go on find out some of the most effective treatments and Natural Cures For Anxiety available now. You can stop anxiety and panic attacks from the comfort of your home without any medication, expensive counseling or therapies, all you need is to take action.

Some women are more sensitive to hormonal fluctuations than others. For many women, anxiety issues appear for the first time during periods of hormonal change. For other women, hormonal changes intensify previously existing anxiety symptoms. 

Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS), post-childbirth, and perimenopause (the period of time before the onset of menopause). It may take the form of panic attacks, nervousness, sweating, intense fear, anxiety combined with depression, or other overwhelming symptoms. 

Here are several periods of hormonal change that can intensify or trigger anxiety in women. 

Puberty — Developing girls experience hormonal changes as they prepare to begin their reproductive years. 

Monthly menstrual cycle — Often girls and women experience PMS the week before their period. 

Following childbirth — The severe drop in certain hormones following childbirth can cause dramatic physical symptoms and a temporary feeling of depression or anxiety; in some women, it is prolonged.

Perimenopause — Perimenopause is the period of time when the body is approaching menopause. It may last from two to ten years. During this time the menstrual cycle becomes irregular as the hormone levels keep fluctuating, causing some women to experience PMS-like symptoms.

Although many of us may use the term “going through menopause” to describe this period of time, it is actually called perimenopause. Many women experience panic attacks for the first time during perimenopause. Other symptoms such as insomnia, hot flashes, rapid heartbeat, and sweating are also common. 

With surgical menopause (hysterectomy), you’ll likely experience perimenopausal symptoms after the surgery, even if you did not experience symptoms prior to surgery. Symptoms can be prolonged and are due to the dramatic and sudden decrease of certain hormones as a result of the hysterectomy.  

In non-surgical circumstances, menopause occurs after a woman has no periods for twelve consecutive months. It lasts only one day. Many women report feeling better than ever mentally and physically after menopause, due to the fact that hormone levels stabilize.

Hormonal Change Triggers the Fight Or Flight Response

Due to the fact that hormonal change causes physical and psychological stress, it triggers our “fight or flight” response. The fight or flight response is the body’s inborn, self-protective response to perceived danger. 

When we perceive that we are under stress, our bodies send out a rush of cortisol, adrenaline, and other brain chemicals to prepare us to “fight” or “flee” the danger. 

The fight or flight response triggers the physiological changes that we associate with anxiety, such as rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, sweating, muscle tension, narrowed mental focus, heightened emotion, and many other symptoms. 

These are the same physical sensations that many women experience when their hormone levels fluctuate. In other words, most of the symptoms women experience during times of hormonal change are really fight or flight reactions. While these physical sensations are not dangerous, they can be very intense and overwhelming.

Our fight or flight response mechanism can become “hypersensitive” with the various hormonal changes in our bodies that take place from puberty to menopause. Many of us are in a constant state of stress due to our lifestyle and thought patterns, which also causes hypersensitivity.

In other words, our bodies may be stuck in the “on” switch of fight or flight. What normally wouldn’t trigger symptoms, now initiates symptoms and perpetuates an ongoing cycle. 

Fight or flight reactions in and of themselves are harmless. However, when our thoughts convince our rational minds that these symptoms are scary and dangerous, we create an anxiety cycle.

Anxiety consists of more than fight or flight reactions acting by themselves. Unproductive thoughts play a critical role in creating and perpetuating the anxiety we experience.

Our thoughts convert fight or flight reactions into anxiety, and a self-perpetuating cycle begins. Soon we find ourselves limiting our behaviors because of anxiety as well, which further entrenches the vicious cycle.

When a person is under stress, unresolved emotions and issues commonly come to the forefront. Because hormonal change is a major stressor, it can bring up internal conflicts and self-doubt in many areas of our lives. All of a sudden, we may find that the negative self-talk that we successfully pushed to the background of our lives during less stressful times is now playing center stage. 

During periods of hormonal change, we may also feel uncertain about our changing roles (e.g. maturing from girl to woman, becoming a mother, becoming a mature woman past childbearing years), which can add to our internal conflict. 

When we fail to successfully resolve internal conflicts and the unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to them, we create a breeding ground for anxiety. Combined with fight or flight symptoms, it’s no wonder that these unproductive thoughts create and perpetuate the anxiety cycle! 

What can you do if hormone-related anxiety affects you?

Here’s some great news! The same tools that you can use to overcome anxiety due to other reasons can help you to conquer anxiety related to hormonal changes too.

Research shows that cognitive-behavioral techniques that help you change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, lifestyle changes, relaxation techniques, and nutritional strategies (all found in our Conquer Anxiety Success Program) can help women dealing with hormonal changes.

These types of strategies not only help women regain a sense of control over their lives, but actually achieve improved physical and emotional well being! Here are a few tips to get you started:

– Focus on reducing preventable stress in your life that triggers the fight or flight response — stop the yo-yo dieting; increase sleep to eight or nine hours a night; exercise regularly; don’t skip meals; cut back on your frantic schedule; and decrease stimulants, such as caffeine. 

The body isn’t designed for constant stress. When we are bombarded with stress, our ability to cope can become overwhelmed because the elevation in stress hormones makes the fight or flight switch remain “on.”

– Learn how to train your body to respond differently to stress so that you can automatically turn the false alarm “off” when the fight or flight response is triggered. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can help you achieve this goal.  

– Most importantly, learn how to change how you think. Our thoughts are what convert the harmless fight or flight response into a vicious cycle of anxiety. Remember, just as our thoughts hold the key to creating anxiety, they also hold the key to eliminating it!

In the past, anxiety had been given a bad rap. You wouldn’t think it, but anxiety is a naturally occurring human reaction. As our body reacts to stimuli it products adrenaline that can help us deal with the problem at hand. In a select few cases, a panic attacks anxiety disorder can arise.
A range of emotions can encompass an anxiety disorder like anything from feeling nervous to uncontrollable feelings of fright and terror. Fortunately, anxiety is a fairly common disorder that is treatable. Most people find relief via medication or through therapy.
There are many people out there that inquire as to how they can figure out whether they are afflicted with a panic attacks anxiety disorder. To help decipher this you can look out for the following signs: nausea, uncontrollable thoughts, dizziness, heavy breathing, tightness in the chest or pains increased heartbeat to name a few. Of course you’ll want to seek the advice of a professional before trying to diagnose this yourself.
It would be hard to find someone out there who does not fear a single thing. The problem here is that a select few of us enable these fears to hold us back from having a productive and normal life. These fears are more commonly referred to as phobias. I am sure you have heard at some point in your life someone being disabled by a phobia. For example, Arachnophobia which is actually a title of a Hollywood movie is a fear of spiders. Another one would be the uncontrollable fear of open places or Agoraphobia. Many of the same symptoms that are experienced during panic or anxiety attacks are also felt when succumbing to a phobia.
We can take this a step further and include post-traumatic stress disorder which is commonly diagnosed to our solders after war. This disorder also known as PTSD, happens after an individual experiences, participates or witnesses an event such as war, torture, death or any form of other traumatic circumstances. A few characteristics of this disorder include persistent nightmares and acute panic or anxiety attacks. Also, people with this disorder have issues sleeping and concentrating. Luckily, these types of problems are pretty rare when it comes to panic attacks anxiety disorders.
As we seek to find a cure for our panic attacks anxiety disorders, it is helpful to try and uncover what caused them. To help narrow your search down it would be helpful to know when and where the infraction happened. As our advances in drug therapy and psychology continue to press forward, so does the cure rate for these life changing problems. With these advances, it is no longer a burden to carry around these types of conditions.

More and more frequently in our UK hypno psychotherapy practice, we are seeing clients who present with symptoms of extreme anxiety and panic attacks. These feelings can and do have a really profound affect on a person’s life, often seriously curtailing his or her ability to function normally in their personal, work or social life But what, in fact, is anxiety and what is its relationship to panic? Well, anxiety itself is simply a symptom that is produced in response to a fear. It is based in the feeling that something bad is going to happen, and this triggers the flow of the hormone adrenalin in the body, eliciting a ‘fight or flight’ reaction. Because of this, the body produces a number of responses which may include increased heart rate, sweating, muscular tension, rapid breathing, churning stomach and even nausea. Anxiety can quite easily turn into feelings of panic when the symptoms of anxiety become so acute that they are allowed to consume the individual, producing heightened feelings of loss of control. As symptoms are experienced, they seem to feed the fear and, in so doing, they thereby enhance it and - hey presto, panic! A good example of this is hyperventilation, or too rapid breathing, that causes us to breathe in a shallow manner forcing us to exhale too much carbon dioxide, which in turn produces its own symptoms, ranging from pins and needles to muscular stiffness, dizziness and perhaps even spasm. It feels like the person is trapped in some kind of vicious cycle: fear just creates more fear and symptoms create more symptoms leaving the individual with feelings of being overwhelmed and trapped in a rapidly accelerating downward spiral. Needless to say, such experiences can be filled with terror for the individual who is forced to endure them. Perhaps the first thing that needs to be done when actually experiencing a panic attack is to slow things down and focus on breathing calmly. If necessary, a paper bag can be quickly inflated and held to the nose and mouth, enabling the person to breathe in and out a few times, thereby increasing the level of carbon dioxide in the blood, and slowing the breathing down. Above all, it is important to remember that you will not die because you experience a panic attack. In fact, it is the fear of fear which really drives and magnifies the experience. Just take the time to practise, remembering to focus on breathing deeply and slowly; learning to relax your muscles systematically, the whole experience will be over and you will be able to pick yourself up and go on. But there is a far better way to live your life than having to constantly manage symptoms. That would be a bit like living with an elephant in your living room - yes, you could perhaps learn to cope with it being there, but how much better it really would be if you simply evicted the elephant. The truth is that there really is no reason why you or anyone you care about should continue to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks. Now, feelings of anxiety and panic are initiated at the subconscious level of the mind — because the subconscious is the powerhouse of all feelings — and this part of the mind has latched onto the incorrect perception that the person is in very real danger. Now, the subconscious mind simply cannot tell the difference between a real and an imagined event, and it is reacting as though the situation and thought that provoked the attack was indeed dangerous. The anxiety and the feelings of panic are actually symptoms of this process. Through the medium of transformational hypnotherapy, we are able to connect directly with the subconscious mind and re-programme its beliefs in line with reality. Once we have uncovered the origin of its faulty perception, we are empowered to correct and neutralise it. The individual is then free to move forward, leaving this difficult and restricting condition in the past. No-one was born to live in a constant state of anxiety and panic. With the correct treatment, you can put these states behind you. You can move on. In short, with effective transformational hypnotherapy, you can get your own life back - and back on track.

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health problem, and include panic disorders, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Anxiety disorders develop due to an interplay between enviromnental and genetic factors. Cognitive behavior therapy is useful for this disorder, as well as prescription anxiolytic drugs.

However, many patients prefer a natural approach or dislike the side effects of prescription drugs, and there are many non-prescription supplements available to help anxiety. Before starting natural supplements for an anxiety problem, be sure to mention your concerns and get a general checkup from your doctor. Symptoms resembling anxiety and anxiety attacks can be caused by physical diseases such as hormone imbalance, hyperthyroidism or cardiac arrhythmias.

However, if you are sure your problem is an anxiety disorder, the following supplements may be of help, and often have fewer side effects than commercial pharmaceutical products.

Chamomile tea is one of the best-known natural remedies for anxiety. Its affects the digestive tract and the nervous system, thus it is helpful for people who suffer from gastro-intestinal symptoms such as cramps along with mental anxiety. It is recommended that patients drink fresh tea made with chamomile leaves, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup of water, several times a day. It is also available in tinctures which can be added to water. Chamomile capsules are convenient to take along to work, and don’t take as long to brew as the tea. The usual dose is 250 to 500 mg 3 to 4 times daily.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa) is a nerve tonic which also has a restorative (adaptogenic) property. It has a calming effect in cases of mild depression and anxiety, and is also reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Damiana contains flavonoids that act on benzodiazepine and GABA receptors. It exhibits anxiolytic activity, muscle relaxation and sedation. Use 2-4 g of dried leaves infused in a cup of boiling water; 2-3 cups are taken daily. Alternatively, 2-4 ml of a liquid extract or 3-4 grams of powdered leaf in tablets or capsules taken twice daily can be substituted if desired.

Damiana has demonstrated mild hypoglycemic effects in animal studies. Patients with diabetes and hypoglycemia should use this plant with caution, and monitor blood sugar levels closely. Damiana has a traditional use as an abortive and is contraindicated during pregnancy.

Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) has a very quick calming effect on the nervous system and causes an uplifting, euphoric feeling. It is also a muscle relaxant and mild sedative. It is helps anxiety, tension, stress, irritability and insomnia. Kava stops the mind from racing, often a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder.

The usual dose is 750 mg twice daily. Do not exceed 4 capsules per day.

Kava Kava is a traditional Polynesian remedy, and while it has been used safely by Polynesians for centuries, now that it has become popular worldwide it has been linked to some cases of liver failure in people of other ethnic groups who have difficulty metabolizing it. Ask a health care professional before use if you have a history of liver problems, frequently use alcoholic beverages, or are taking any medication. Stop and see a doctor if you develop symptoms that may signal liver problems (e.g., unexplained fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fever, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools, yellow eyes or skin).

Do not use kava kava if less than 18 years of age, or if pregnant/breastfeeding. Do not combine with alcoholic beverages, or prescription anxiolytics or antidepressants . Excessive use, or use with products that cause drowsiness, may impair your ability to operate a vehicle or heavy equipment. Do not take Kava Kava on a daily basis for more than four weeks without consulting a health care provider. Take frequent breaks from use.

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is most often used for insomnia, but it can also be taken in the daytime to reduce the effects of stress and anxiety. This herb is often included in European formulas for heart palpitations, which often have anxiety as a component. It is taken in capsule form, 500 mg daily, or 20-30 drops of tincture, or as a fresh tea. Passionflower, though it helps bring on natural sleep, does not have the sedative effects of many prescription sleeping pills.

Pulsatilla is a homeopathic remedy said to be most suitable for shy, hypersensitive people who tend to feel warm rather than cold. Homeopathic practitioners recommend a 30C potency 2-4 times daily for relief of acute symptoms, and 30C or 6C 1-2 times daily for chronic use. Homeopathic remedies use miniscule concentrations of compounds to “nudge” the body into healing itself. They either help or they do not; there are no toxic side effects.

Scullcup (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a relaxing and gentle sedative for the central nervous system. It is very good for nervous tension and for nervous exhaustion plus neurological and neuromotor problems. The dose is 10-20 drops of fresh plant tincture or 1-2 dropperfuls of dried plant tincture. Skullcap can also be sleep inducing, but it is rarely habituating.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is commonly used for depression, but helps anxiety as well. Use a 300 mg extract 3 times daily. Quality varies widely between brands; it is best to buy a product standardized to contain 3-5% hyperforin and 0.3% hypericin. It works by increasing the level of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system such as serotonin and dopamine. Do not use this product if also taking prescription antidepressants.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has been used since Greek and Roman times to promote sleep and relaxation. It can treat insomnia, anxiety, and stress related gastrointestinal upset. According to one theory, valerian affects the brain in a way similar to valium; while another theory holds that valerian contains GABA, a neurotransmitter which has a calming affect on the brain, or else influences the brain’s natural production of GABA. Also, some reasearchers believe that valerian affects serotonin levels in a manner similar to anitdepressant drugs such as Prozac.

If using valerian to treat insomnia, take the herb 30 to 60 minutes before going to bed. It can be taken 2-4 times daily to help stress and anxiety. The recommended dose of tincture is 30-60 drops, or a capsule or tablet of 300-500 mg.

Some people feel groggy after taking valerian; if this occurs, lower the dose. Avoid hazardous activities while using valerian, and do not combine it with other sedatives, antidepressants or alcohol. Do not take valerian for more than 3 weeks, as it can be habituating.

Verbena (Verbena officinalis) is a relaxing nervous system tonic indicated for a wide range of nervous disorders including nervous exhaustion and stress. As a tincture, use 2-4 mls up to 4 times daily. Avoid use during pregnancy as this herb is a uterine stimulant.

Withania (Withania somnifera) is an ayurvedic herb sold under the name Ashwaghanda. It is a very good tonic herb that is especially helpful for debility and nervous exhaustion due to stress. It has steriodal, adaptogenic, sedative and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also useful for panic attacks and phobic disorders such as agoraphobia. Use 1 tsp powder 3 times daily.