Natural Remedies for Anxiety

Fast paced life, tension at work and home can lead to stress thus causing anxiety. Anxiety is a healthy emotion if it does not remain as a part of you always. Anxiety is a combination of worry, fear and sadness, these combined with a host of physical symptoms like excessive sweating, nausea and breathlessness develops into anxiety.

Occasional anxiousness is common with all. Feeling anxious for a long and continuous period and feeling anxious for no reasons is something to be worried about. Anxiety in simple terms means general nervousness where the person worries a lot. Anxiety can be linked to chemical imbalances in the body. Natural remedies can ease anxiety and relax the nervous system.

Natural remedies for anxiety


Bodywork: Massage therapy, shiatsu and various other types of bodywork are used to reduce muscle tension and relieve anxiety. This will also improve sleep.

Valerian: Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is an herb that is the best known natural herbal remedy for insomnia and restlessness. Valerian is mainly used in patients suffering from mild anxiety.

Passionflower: Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) was used as a folk treatment for anxiety/insomnia.

Amino acids: Amino acids have special qualities to tackle anxiety. Green tea is filled with an amino acid, theanine. This is the reason why green tea can calm a person's mind. Theanine is added to soft drinks and chewing gums so that it provides a calming effect.

Vitamins: Use vitamins to fight stress that can cause anxiety. Most of the B vitamins like thiamin, B3, B6, and folic acid help easing anxiety. B12 improves energy levels and helps in absorbing other B vitamins into the system.

Aromatherapy: Plant oils can be added to massage oil, baths, or infusers. Oil from plants like jasmine, rose, neroli, geranium, sandalwood, bergamot, melissa, cypress, lavender, ylang-ylang are used to relieve anxiety.

Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA): GABA is an amino acid that is effective in tackling anxiety. Drugs prescribed for anxiety affect the GABA receptors in the brain. There is no proven record on how well oral GABA supplements can reach the brain.

Reduce caffeine: Eliminate or reduce caffeine intake to reduce anxiety in a person.

Mind/Body techniques: Practicing yoga, breathing exercises, self-hypnosis, meditation, physical exercise, tai chi and biofeedback reduce anxiety. Try different techniques and pick the one that suits you.

Frequent breaks at work: Do not work for continuous long hours, take small breaks in between. This can reduce work related stress and thus anxiety.

Minerals: Calcium, selenium, magnesium, and zinc deficiencies cause anxiety. Taking mineral supplements helps fight anxiety.

Exercise: Exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes every day. Walking at a brisk pace or riding a bike can tackle anxiety. Dopamine released in the system relaxes the system.

Sleep well: Get plenty of rest. The nervous system will not function properly if you don't sleep well. This will lead to anxiety.

Meditation: Fifteen minutes of meditation everyday helps relieve anxiety and calms the body.

Quick home remedies for anxiety

Relaxing bath: Add magnesium salt (Epsom salt) to your hot water bath and relax, this will relieve anxiety.

Green tea: The acidic extract of green tea is beneficial in tackling anxiety. The amino acid present in this extract calms the nerves and relieves your feeling of worries and stress.

Modify food intake: Avoid food items that have high sugar. Consume food items that contain:

B vitamin - scallops, beans, yogurt, spinach, bell peppers, snapper, bananas

Thiamin- black beans, sunflower seeds, and yellow corn

Niacin- tuna, chicken, salmon

Limit tea, coffee, alcohol, and chocolates