People often look for herbs to treat their anxiety or panic attacks. The benefits of herbal remedies are obvious: they tend not to have side effects, they are natural therefore they are safe, they are freely available with no need to go to the doctor for a prescription, and there is less stigma from society than one might find when using prescription medication such as Prozac or Celexa.
Actually though, all of the assumptions above are not true to reality. The reality of herbal medicine to treat anxiety, panic or any other ailment can be quite different.
They tend to have no side effects.
False: Often herbs do have side effects; some can be stimulants and some depressants, some are even lethal in large doses. It is however correct that the mainstream herbal remedies (which I will come to later) tend to have a much better side effect profile than prescription medications. Remember that if you take something that effects your alertness or coordination it may harm your ability to drive or operate machinery.
They are natural therefore they are safe.
Very False: Again, the mainstream herbs taken in their stated doses are pretty harmless and at worst do little for anxiety, stress, depression or panic attacks. But beware, in recent years there have been several cases involving contaminated, poor quality, or poisonous herbal remedies. At various times Chinese medicine was blamed, this was erroneous. In fact whatever conventional or alternative medicine or therapy you take you need to check sources and qualifications. It’s common sense.
They are freely available and stupidly some people do find it more socially acceptable to be taking herbs for their anxiety as opposed to conventional medication.
So, is there any scope in curing anxiety with herbs?
In my experience, anxiety can nit be cured with herbs, though I hesitate to say never because anything is possible with anxiety. I would say that when self-medicating as opposed to visiting a trained and certified practitioner herbs are best used to provide temporary relief to worry, anxiety, panic, depression and insomnia.
Also read: Anxiety Disorder Herbal Remedies
Good points! As an Anxiety sufferer myself (under control now) good information actually gives other sufferers HOPE. (Kava Kava is an relaxing herb, I use it myself every now and then.) Any way your artice accomplishes the hope that people need. It is good that the internet is a wonderful place to find information and become educated on issues such as anxiety and panic attacks. Thank you for sharing