Are There Herbal Remedies for Anxiety?

On average, anxiety disorders affect more than 40 million Americans. Anxiety is a psychological state that is characterized by the intensified and incessant feeling of worry, tension, and nervousness, often when there is nothing to provoke these feelings. Forms of anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Anxiety is twice more likely to affect women than men. There are several herbal remedies for anxiety that can help ease the symptoms by naturally calming the nerves.

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Anxiety Causes

The leading cause of anxiety disorders in middle-aged women is hormone fluctuations experienced during menopause. A woman's estrogen levels fluctuate, drop, and stay consistently low during the menopause transition.

Estrogen considerably affects the brain's regulation of moods and emotions. Subsequently, when a woman's estrogen levels fall, she is at higher risk of mental health disorders. Additional causes of anxiety include excessive stress - either at work, home, or financially - genetics, certain medications, previous emotional trauma, lack of exercise, and poor diet.

Herbal Remedies for Hormonal Imbalance

There are two types of herbal remedies that can help with anxiety due to hormonal imbalance: phytoestrogenic herbal remedies and hormone-regulating herbal remedies. Phytoestrogenic herbs contain estrogenic components produced by plants. These herbs treat hormonal imbalance by introducing the plant-based estrogens into the body.

Soy

Soy is a commonly used herb among menopausal women because it is known to help relieve symptoms like anxiety and hot flashes. This is thanks to its isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen.

Black cohosh

Black cohosh also contains phytoestrogens, which helps restore low hormone levels and relieve symptoms.

Red clover

Red clover also has a high phytoestrogen content. Red clover helps bring estrogen levels back to normal.

Hormone-regulating herbs do not contain estrogen. Instead these herbs work by stimulating hormone production through nourishing the pituitary and endocrine glands. This leads to a more efficient production of hormones. Hormone-regulating supplements can help stimulate the glands and ensure more efficient hormone production.

Herbal Remedies for Anxiety

In addition to the beneficial herbal remedies for restoring hormone balance, there are several herbal remedies that can specifically help reduce anxiety by naturally calming the body and mind.

St. John's wort

This herbal remedy has been used for thousands of years for nerve disorders like anxiety and depression. It is said to help prolong the action of the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, serotonin.

Passionflower

This herb has been widely used to treat anxiety and sleep disorders. Passionflower has sedative and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an ideal calming herbal remedy.

Valerian

This sedative herb has been popular among menopausal women as it helps naturally relax the body and brain and promote deep, restful sleep.

Anxiety is a common symptom among menopausal women because of the hormone imbalance experienced during the menopause transition. Several herbal remedies exist however, that can help ease anxiety by restoring hormone balance. Passionflower and valerian are sedative herbs that can help naturally relax the body and mind, easing anxiety symptoms. Helpful lifestyle changes that can ease anxiety include exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet.