Vitamin Supplements - A Natural Approach to Fighting Anxiety

By Monica B. Nice


Anxiety and depression are common disorders that many people suffer from. Doctors and scientists will agree that good nutrition and the right combination of vitamins and supplements can reduce or even alleviate the need for prescription based medications. There are several different supplements that may help bring anxiety under control. All of these supplements can be purchased over the counter without a prescription. Consulting a health professional before taking any new supplements is always recommended, especially if they are going to be added with prescription medication.

How to use it: Best used in its essential oil in inhalation therapy or massage therapy, lavender can be obtained from any herbalist or natural supplement store. You can even grown your own and use the crushed, dried flowers underneath your pillow to aid sleep.Linden.Linden is popular in Greek myths and the dried flowers of this herb are fragrant and have calming and even sedative properties. It has a positive effect on the digestive system - something which will be very beneficial if your panic disorder has caused you some discomfort.

Valerian Root (Valeriana Officinalis).Valerian Root is another herbal supplement that is highly regarded for its calming abilities. The root of the plant is ground and used either is tea or pill form. The tea is extremely pungent for people with sensitivity to taste it may be a bit hard to swallow. The pills are generally is gel cap form and are easy to take. Valerian root is thought of as a general sedative and is used to treat both anxiety and insomnia. There are no known side effects, but patients should be careful is they are mixing it with other sedative based prescriptions. This is another herbal supplement that increases the production of GABA in the brain.

How to use it: The herb can be dried and you can eat half a gram three to four times a day. You can mix it in with some muesli and yoghurt since it doesn't taste that great. Alternatively, passion flower can be made into a tea of which you can drink a few cups a day.Chamomile.Another age old herbal supplement which also helps eases your tense muscles which are often a result of stress. It's tasty and because of it being so readily available it is very popular for people with panic disorder and those who suffer from insomnia or even night terrors.

Rhodiloa Rosea.Rhodiola Rosea is and herbal supplement that is native to the colder regions of the world. It reached popularity is Russia as a supplement that assisting in helping the population deal with the cold Siberian climate. It is generally sold in pill or capsule form. The root is the part of the plant that is used when manufacturing the herbal supplement. Rhodiola Rosea is highly effective as an anti-depressant. It is believed that this herbal compound adjusts the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. It may also act as an MAO inhibitor. Side effects of this herb are unknown. A doctor should be consulted before adding this supplement to the diet.

Winter Cherry (Withania Somnifera).Winter cherry is an herbal supplement that comes from India. It is sometimes referred to as Ashwaganha. The root of the plant is powered and sold in pill form. This plant is used to treat both depression and anxiety. There are no known side effects for this herbal supplement. It is not recommended for women who are pregnant or nursing. People who are taking MAO inhibitors should also avoid this supplement.

For thousands of years certain herbs such as passion flower, lemon balm, lavender, valerian, and St. John's wort have been used to relieve anxiety and stress and promote emotional wellness. They seem to be at their most effective when used in as part of full spectrum approach to healing. What full spectrum refers to is a combination of mind and body healing which may include yoga, deep breathing and exercise to provide a backdrop for successfully achieving results.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid).Vitamin C occurs naturally is fresh fruits. It is often used to protect the body from illness. Research had shown that deficiencies in vitamin C may cause mental disease and anxiety. This vitamin can be found in a variety of forms such as pill and liquid. Often foods are enriched with vitamin C to promote health. There are no known risk associated with vitamin C. It is a water soluble vitamin and the risk of overdose is low.

A full spectrum approach to healing and relaxing the mind and body may produce a number of additional benefits such as supporting nervous system health, balancing out emotions from those minor unforeseen daily challenges, boosting immune system function, and help in promoting and maintaining a positive outlook. This is in sharp contrast to the headaches, withdrawal symptoms, and stomach upset often associated with prescription medications.

Once you have decided to take the challenge and try one of the many supplements for anxiety and stress you will be faced with many different choices. For me those containing passion flower or lavender seem to work the best for daily daytime use. Valerian root on the other hand creates drowsiness, so unless you are looking for a sleep remedy valerian should be excluded.Also, there are both liquid and tablet formulas. Without a doubt the liquid formula will get into your system faster, and are more appropriate for unexpected stressors. But ultimately it is a personal choice with both types of herbal remedies for anxiety and stress shown to achieve excellent results.




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