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Keep calm and carry on…

Do any of these sound familiar - anxious, worried, freaked. Do you find yourself upset over everything little thing or are you worrying yourself sick? Do you just wish you could just relax? Calm down, whatever level of anxiety you have there are effective natural treatments, you may not need to take medication—at least not just yet.

Chamomile tea is one of the best ways to calm down. We will get to its properties now, but the ritual of moving away from your stressors; making a cup of tea and making the time to relax and drink it may already solve half the problem. Some of the compounds in chamomile (Matricaria recutita) bind to the same brain receptors as drugs like Valium and help soothe and calm. It is also possible to take it as a supplement, the ones to look out for are those standardized to contain 1.2% apigenin (an active ingredient), along with dried chamomile flowers.

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If you get tired of chamomile, drink green tea. L-Theanine a compound in green tea is why experts reckon Japanese Buddhist monks could meditate for hours, while remaining both alert and relaxed. The added benefits include the ability curb an elevating heart rate and blood pressure, and reducing anxiety. There is not a lot of threonine in green tea, so the alternative is to take the capsules.

Soothing hops – and though it is what beer is made from unless taken in extracts  and tinctures or used in aromatherapy in hops pillows, it will not work as a sedative. It is used as a sedative, to promote restorative sleep.

Valerian is a sedative aid, specifically for insomnia. Valerian contains several unique substances, such as valerenic acid and valeranon that have a relaxant action that is particularly effective in treating stress and anxiety. Valerian is often combined with other sedative herbs such as hops, chamomile, lemon balm and passionflower.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), has been for many hundreds of years to reduce stress and anxiety, and aid with sleep.  Lemon balm is sold as a tea, capsule, and tincture. It's often combined with other calming herbs such as hops, chamomile, and valerian. I find it best as a soothing tea.

Passionflower – no this is not a love tonic despite its name! It has long been valued by herbal practitioners for its calming and sedative actions, as well as been extensively used for anxiety, fatigue and insomnia. It contains alkaloids, glycosides and steroids and it is thought that the alkaloid (once known as passiflorine) is the main active sedative ingredient.

Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root, is well known for its hardy properties and it thrives close to the Arctic Circle in the dry mountainous areas of Scandinavia, Siberia, Northern China and Canada. I have found it extremely helpful to boost physical and mental health and treat fatigue, stress and poor concentration.

This herb is more specifically for women. Motherwort's primary medicinal use is for treating menstrual discomfort, but also has a general female tonic. It is used to help manage stress and tension and anxiety.

Please note, most importantly, avoiding mixing herbs with prescription medications or alcohol, without consulting a doctor. Especially herbs like valerian, hops, kava, lemon balm, passionflower, or other sedative herbs, which like other sedatives, can cause sleepiness and drowsiness, so don't take sedative herbs—when you are also taking a prescription sedative.

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Never abuse herbal remedies (take more than recommended). Do not use herbal remedies for an extended period of time without talking to a doctor. Check to make sure you are not allergic to an herb before you use it. Always combine herbal supplements with healthy lifestyle choices.

There has been quite a lot of evidence in recent years that many people also find relief by reducing their ingestion of stimulants, especially caffeine and alcohol. Finally, remember that deep breathing, stepping away from the issue and taking time to clear you head away from the issues are also effective anxiety control methods.

Please do not commence any herbal treatment without consulting your healthcare practitioner and or your doctor and disclose all you medication to prevent potential drug and herb interactions.

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About The Author:
After eight years in the retail side of the health industry, much accumulation of knowledge and information I changed industries completely and gone back to my graphic design roots. I still wish to help inform people on natural alternatives, as well as help people when they are choosing to use natural alternatives to treat disorders, diseases and distresses.
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Posted in: Health by on January 16, 2015 @ 7:44 pm

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