Not everyone today wants to take prescription medication for panic, anxiety and depression. If you feel that you want treatment for your anxiety without having to resort to prescription medication, you can often find relief with natural supplements.
There are a few very commonly used herbal supplements that are used to treat panic attacks today. These include Kava Kava, St. John’s Wort, Valerian, and Sam-e. While long term studies of these drugs have not proven them to be as effective at relieving anxiety and panic attacks as prescription medications, many people swear by these herbal supplements that can be purchased online or in a health food store.
There is some truth to the fact that many of these work because they replace certain components of your diet. Many of them contain B-12, a vitamin that some people who suffer from anxiety and depression are often lacking. Here is a run down on the herbal supplements that some people take for anxiety and how they can help you.
Kava Kava
This herbal is probably the most well known of all of the herbal supplements. Some studies have indicated that it can be harmful to the liver, but this is often disputed. Over the counter pain relievers can be harmful to the liver if you abuse them, too. It is advised that you should not take Kava with other medications for anxiety, panic or depression, nor should you take it on a daily basis. You can get a sense of being relaxed when you take Kava, without feeling as though you have been rugged. This is the reason why many people like taking this herbal supplement.
Kava is meant to reduce anxiety and panic. It generally works well when someone has mild anxiety or slight anxiety. This would not be beneficial for anyone who has severe anxiety or is experiencing a full blown panic attack.
Kava is non-habit forming and generally safe to use if you do not abuse it. It can be an ideal herbal supplement for someone who has their panic attacks under control and is not on any other medication to treat their condition. You should always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting a herbal supplement if you are taking other drugs to prevent a drug interaction.
There have been very limited studies on Kava, just as there have been on most herbal supplements. The medical community is not very keen on advising that people take herbal supplements in place of medication. Most doctors will advise that you take prescription drugs instead of resorting to herbals.
Still, herbal supplements do have a place in treating panic, anxiety and depression and many people who take these supplements will tell you that they have helped them. If you are not taking any other drug and want to give it a try, you can take Kava to see if it helps with your anxiety symptoms.
St John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is another very popular remedy that is used for treating depression, panic and anxiety. You can usually find this at your local drug store or health food store. St. John’s Wort is said to help treat depression in the natural way and has been used for hundreds of years as a remedy for depression. Research indicates that St. John’s Wort works similar to the way that SSRIs work in that it helps to increase the flow of serotonin to the brain.
If you decide to take St. John’s Wort, be advised that it can be phototoxic. This means that it can have an adverse reaction if you go out in the sun when taking this herbal remedy.
In addition to treating depression, panic and anxiety, St. John’s Wort has also been used to treat muscle pain, hypertension and digestive problems. Some people who use this herbal supplement experience headaches, dizziness and dry mouth.
Women who are on birth control should be advised that St. John’s Wort can reduce the effect of the birth control pill.
Valerian
Valerian is another very commonly used herbal ingredient that is used to treat both anxiety and depression. Some people like taking this herbal supplement because they will get faster results with the herbals than with the SSRIs. While not as well used as Kava and St. John’s Wort, many people who suffer from anxiety have found relief with Valerian.
SAM-e
This is the herbal supplement being touted by actor James Coburn. SAM-e is used to treat anxiety and has shown promise in treating osteoarthritis. SAM-e is different than other herbal supplements that are used to treat panic attacks or anxiety in that it increases the serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Most doctors will state that those who are lacking sufficient serotonin and dopamine – thus the need for SSRIs to allow the free flow of serotonin to our brains.
In addition to helping with anxiety and osteoarthritis, SAM-e is also used to help with depression and improve liver function. The only side effects with this herbal supplement are a little bit of nausea upon starting the herbal. Some people report that they felt better right away after taking SAM-e. In some cases, it has been known to work within a matter of days.
It is important to realize that what works for one person might not necessarily work for another. While some people swear by St. John’s Wort, others will say that it doesn’t work at all for them. Every person experiences a different type of anxiety, so every person needs a different type of supplement.
The main thing that you have to remember when you are taking herbal supplements to treat or prevent anxiety and panic attacks is that you should be wary of any drug interactions. You should not take herbal supplements if you have been taking medication for your condition.
If you have mild to somewhat moderate anxiety attacks, you might want to give the herbal supplements a try to see if they will make you feel better. Only use them as instructed and do not mix them with prescription medication. As with prescription medication, it might take you a few tries before you end up finding the right herbal ingredient that works for you.
