The use of medicinal herbs is something very present in every culture throughout its history. Whether to treat physical or emotional problems, herbal remedies abounded in apothecaries in the past.
Nowadays, either due to the fear of the much-feared side effects of drugs or because less artificial remedies are preferred, treatments made from natural ingredients or, directly, resorting to the plant from which they are extracted have become popular. its active ingredients.
Natural anxiolytics are an interesting alternative to treat mild symptoms of anxiety since they present fewer unforeseen effects.
We are going to see in greater depth what the main natural remedies for anxiety are, how they can be prepared, in addition to keeping in mind that they must be recommended by a professional and not forgetting that there is the option of psychotropic drugs (always used with a medical prescription)..
Over the last century, the pharmaceutical industry has been developing increasingly efficient drugs to treat different types of disorders. The research carried out by experts in psychopharmacology has turned out to be very useful, since it allows, whenever necessary, to treat problems in a way that, as a general rule, tends to be efficient.
Unfortunately, despite great advances in the field of pharmacy, The medications can produce some serious side effects, even with relatively low doses Although not all patients will show these adverse effects, the truth is that there is considerable fear of them and, in many cases, they can cause the patient not to follow the pharmacological treatment. The opposite effect can also occur, that is, the patient becomes addicted to the medications, since we must not forget that any drug must be taken responsibly since, after all, they are drugs.
Popular anxiety medications include clonazepam, lorazepam, and alprazolam. These drugs are often prescribed to treat generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, and panic disorders.
An alternative and less invasive option than psychotropic drugs are natural anxiolytics. These remedies are made from plants which have been shown to be effective in reducing some of the symptoms that occur in anxiety disorders. These natural treatments should not be considered a panacea for anxiety nor a 100% effective alternative to treating associated disorders.
Self-medication, even with natural treatments, always involves risks. That is why you should consult a professional to find out if it is advisable to undergo a treatment that includes natural plants. If this is the case, it must be clear that one must be careful because, although there may not be a high risk of suffering unwanted effects, there may be some type of counterproductive situation. If, on the other hand, the psychiatrist considers that the use of psychotropic drugs is more appropriate for a specific case, his or her criteria should be followed.
Natural anxiolytics have been shown to be effective in treating mild symptoms such as moderate and occasional anxiety, mild nervousness (e.g. before an exam, tense family situation…) as well as help when conceiving sleep or with specific episodes of insomnia This has been possible to investigate in several studies, in which it has been found that the use of this type of herbs allows the synthesis of neurotransmitters, causing brain chemistry to adjust.
The best natural anxiolytics and how to prepare them
There are many plants that are used to prepare natural remedies, whether for anxiety or any other type of problem. Next, we will see a few plants that serve to relieve anxiety symptoms, in addition to seeing ways of preparation and what effects they have on the human body.
1. Lavender
This plant is known for its characteristic color and aromas, which already give us a first impression of what effects it can have on brain chemistry.
Helps calm nerves, reduce stress and anxiety, but in addition to this it has disinfectant properties and serves to repel insects. It also helps calm headaches.
2. Melissa
It is also called lemon balm This plant has been gaining popularity in recent years thanks to its remarkable anti-stress effects. Calms nerves and anxiety quickly and naturally. It has also been shown to be useful for treating insomnia. One of its components is the flavonoid apigenin.
This is the most mentioned plant when it is recommended that someone take an infusion to calm the nerves. Linden is one of the best options to calm anxiety, and can be found in any supermarket in the form of tea bags.
It turns out to be such a powerful natural anxiolytic that, if you consume it very frequently, it is recommended to take rest intervals of one week, that is, stop consuming it for that period of time. Its sedative and anxiolytic effect is due to the fact that it contains a powerful flavonoid kaempferol.
4. Valerian
Its calming effect is due to the fact that contains valepotriates It is often used to sedate patients who have not received any anti-anxiety treatment before.
5. Passionflower
Also called passionflower, this plant is ideal for treating nervous tension, insomnia and even hyperactivity to a certain extent. It also serves to reduce tachycardia and palpitations Passionflower is native to the forests of the United States, but is marketed throughout the world.
6. Chamomile
Together with lime blossom, this plant is a powerful painkiller that can be found in the form of an infusion in many commercial establishments without much difficulty.
It helps calm nerves and anxiety, in addition to having other effects on the body such as reducing the amount of flatulence, disinfecting wounds and reducing inflammation. It is perfect for inducing the entire body into a state of generalized relaxation
7. St. John’s Wort
It has rather antidepressant effects, but can be ideal for treating mild symptoms of anxiety. This is because it promotes the synthesis of serotonin, a substance that plays a fundamental role in the nervous system, sleep and mood
Also, always under the supervision of a professional, it is used to treat premenstrual syndrome.
In any case, this herb has a contraindication, and it is not recommended to consume it if you are under contraceptive treatment, since it can cause it to fail. It can also contribute to menstrual bleeding.
As we have already indicated, the perfect way to consume these treatments is by taking an infusion. There are certain plants, such as lime blossom and chamomile, that can be found relatively easily in the form of infusion preparations. The rest of the herbs are not so common in supermarkets, but There is always a herbalist who may have bags with these plants combined with ingredients to give them a better flavor.
However, if you want to prepare the infusion with these plants freshly picked from the field or in whole leaves, one way to prepare it is as follows:
It is important to indicate that the consumption of sweeteners, whether natural or not, is not healthy in large quantities. For this reason, Moderate and responsible consumption of this type of substance is recommended
Place the water in a container, such as a pot or saucepan, and bring it to the boiling point. When it is boiling, remove it from the heat and add 15 grams of the desired plant. Once this is done, cover the pot and let the herb infuse for about 15 minutes. Then, with the help of a strainer, separate the infusion from the leaves, add the sweetener if desired and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
It is recommended to consume this type of infusion twice a day at most It should be remembered that they are specific treatments and that, although they are not as risky as psychotropic drugs, it is recommended that a doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist be aware of their consumption, in addition to indicating the anxiety symptoms suffered.
They are not remedies that replace psychological or psychopharmacological treatment If it is necessary to consume drugs, this should be done.
