Herbs and other natural remedies are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to prescription drugs for the treatment of anxiety. While anti-anxiety medications do work well, they can often be habit-forming or cause side effects, whereas herbal treatments for anxiety are considered safer and typically do not lead to dependence or addiction. But because the FDA does not thoroughly evaluate all natural treatments, most of the herbal treatments for anxiety on the market simply are not effective.

But certain herbs do exhibit potent anti-anxiety effects, and a handful of herbal treatments for anxiety have been proven to effectively relieve anxiety when manufactured properly and administered in the proper dosages. The herbal treatments for anxiety most likely to successfully relieve your anxiety are those containing herbs backed by solid clinical research (i.e. shown to effectively reduce anxiety in multiple well-designed studies). And it’s absolutely critical to take an herbal anxiety treatment that provides herbal extracts in the proven doses and potencies.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is one herb shown to relieve anxiety in clinical trials. Standardized Valerian extracts with a minimum of 0.8% valerenic acid, the active constituent, work best. Valerian extract works rapidly, often in less than an hour, when taken in doses of a few hundred milligrams, and can be taken up to three or four times per day.

L-theanine, an amino acid derived from Green Tea, is another herbal anxiety treatment with a significant anti-anxiety effect. Many people report that L-theanine works as well as prescription anti-anxiety medications, but L-theanine is not addictive or habit-forming. Quite a few herbal treatments for anxiety claim to contain "L-theanine" but actually contain a low-quality Green Tea extract with only a small amount of L-theanine, so make sure that you take an herbal anxiety treatment with 98% or 99% pure L-theanine (such as SunTheanine®).

Studies also suggest that Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) is effective for anxiety and related conditions. As with Valerian, it’s important to use a standardized Passion Flower extract with at least 3-4% vitexin. An herbal anxiety treatment that combines Passion Flower and Valerian extracts will be more effective than either herb taken alone.

An excellent herbal anxiety treatment with proven real-world success is Seredyn, a supplement with SunTheanine® pure L-theanine, standardized Valerian extract (0.8% valerenic acid), and standardized Passion Flower extract (4% vitexin). Over 93% of Seredyn users with occasional anxiety and 85% with chronic anxiety report positive results, and 80-83% of users with panic and anxiety attacks say that Seredyn helps prevent and stop their attacks.

Answered by Yogeshwar , an ibibo Specialist, at 2:48 PM on October 07, 2008

Several herbal remedies have been studied as a treatment for anxiety, including kava, passion flower, valerian and theanine.
The most popular herbal treatment for anxiety is kava.
Some evidence suggests that passion flower, valerian and theanine also may reduce anxiety and are generally considered to be safe herbs, with few reported adverse side effects. However, more research is needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these herbal supplements for such use.

Answered by pankaj , an ibibo Advisor, at 3:04 AM on October 05, 2008

The most popular herbal treatment for anxiety is kava. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of kava in reducing anxiety, with effects observed after as few as one to two doses. However, there is concern that kava may be harmful to the liver.

Multiple cases of liver damage — including hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver failure — associated with kava use have been reported in Europe. As a result, several countries have banned the sale of kava due to safety concerns. The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings about kava but hasn't banned the sale of kava in the United States.

Some evidence suggests that passion flower, valerian and theanine also may reduce anxiety and are generally considered to be safe herbs, with few reported adverse side effects. However, more research is needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these herbal supplements for such use.

Answered by Mohd Saqib , an ibibo Master, at 10:05 PM on October 03, 2008

Well R inku,
The only herbal remedy that has been shown beyond reasonable doubt to be effective as a treatment for mild to moderate depression is Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort). The active ingredients of this herbal medicine are probably hypericin and/or hyperforin. Its antidepressive activity seems to be due to inhibition of both serotonin reuptake and monoamine oxidase.

An authoritative systematic review and meta-analysis included 30 RCTs involving individuals mostly (but not exclusively) with mild to moderate depression (Roder et al, 2004). The methodological quality of these trials was variable but many scored highest marks. Twenty five of them, involving a total of 2129 patients, compared St John’s wort with placebo. The results strongly favoured the former over the latter (risk ratio = 0.66, 95% CI 0.57–0.78, number needed to treat = 42). Five trials, involving a total of 2231 patients, compared St John’s wort with conventional antidepressants (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)). The risk ratio of 0.96 indicates equivalence of these approaches. A subsequent Cochrane Review (Linde et al, 2005) reported similarly encouraging results.

So why use this herbal remedy if it is not better than conventional drugs? One answer could be that many patients prefer ‘natural’ treatments. A perhaps more convincing answer is that its adverse effects profile is preferable. In fact, St John’s wort is associated with similar frequency and severity of adverse effects as placebo. There are, however, two caveats. Extracts of St John’s wort powerfully interact with the cytochrome P450 enzyme system and thus increase the plasma level of a wide range of other drugs (Mills et al, 2005). It seems to follow that it is safe only for people who use no other medication. The second caveat is the suspicion that St John’s wort can trigger psychoses, particularly in patients who concomitantly take SSRIs (Izzo & Ernst, 2001).

source site : http://apt.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/ full/13/4/312

Answered by Priyanka C , an ibibo Master, at 7:49 PM on October 01, 2008

well RINKU, Research into effective herbal treatments for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has only just begun. As of this writing, several herbal remedies show promise, but few have been tested rigorously enough to become recognized as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder.

And although at least one herbal remedy is clearly effective, none are approved by the US FDA for this use. This is partially because most medical trials are funded by major drug companies, and they tend to research only their own products. Nonetheless, if any of these herbal treatments cured OCD, someone very likely would have stumbled across it by now, so be cautious if you hear any far-reaching claims about the ability of any treatment, herbal or otherwise, to affect a cure. With that being said though, some herbal remedies have shown mild potential in the treatment of OCD, with St. John's Wort being the most promising among them. A few herbal remedies have also been shown to relieve mild anxiety and aid in the treatment of depression, both major problems for OCD sufferers.

Marijuana (or "pot") is not a good treatment for OCD. It may provide some short term relief, but it ultimately causes symptoms to later worsen. For some people, OCD symptoms were actually trigged by using marijuana. Marijuana can also interfere with OCD medications, prevent new learning in therapy, and make comorbid depression more severe.

Being natural and relatively inexpensive, herbal treatments are an attractive alternative medicine for some — especially if nothing else has worked. Remember though, just because a product can be purchased without a prescription does not mean it is safe. Many herbal treatments work just like manufactured medications and have drug interactions as well, so anyone considering this route should talk to a pharmacist or doctor before taking herbal remedies.

St. John's Wort (Hypercin / Hypericum)
St. John's Wort has proven to be effective in the treatment of depression and helpful for generalized anxiety disorder and somatoform disorders in research studies. For depression, St. John's Wort seemed to work better for mild depression as compared to those with severe symptoms, and poorer for those taking St. John's Wort alongside other antidepressants. Several small studies have been done regarding St. John's Wort and its effectiveness for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder, and some of them have shown success equal to SSRIs, with some studies going so far as to compare it to the clinically effective equivalent of fluoxetine (Prozac). Other studies though have shown no effect greater than a placebo effect. St. John's Wort is the only clinically demonstrated herbal aid for OCD, and is a good option for those unwilling or unable to try an SSRI.

Answered by Satya ~ , an ibibo Master, at 9:49 PM on September 30, 2008

Several herbal remedies have been studied as a treatment for anxiety, including kava, passion flower, valerian and theanine.

The most popular herbal treatment for anxiety is kava. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of kava in reducing anxiety, with effects observed after as few as one to two doses. However, there is concern that kava may be harmful to the liver.

Multiple cases of liver damage - including hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver failure - associated with kava use have been reported in Europe. As a result, several countries have banned the sale of kava due to safety concerns. The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings about kava but hasn't banned the sale of kava in the United States.

Some evidence suggests that passion flower, valerian and theanine also may reduce anxiety and are generally considered to be safe herbs, with few reported adverse side effects. However, more research is needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these herbal supplements for such use.

If you are considering a trial of a dietary or herbal supplement as a treatment for mild anxiety, talk to your doctor first. Also, if your anxiety is interfering with daily activities, consider working with a mental health specialist as well.
visit www.revolutionhealth.co

Answered by Jyothi , an ibibo Master, at 7:16 PM on September 30, 2008

Herbs and other natural remedies are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to prescription drugs for the treatment of anxiety. While anti-anxiety medications do work well, they can often be habit-forming or cause side effects, whereas herbal treatments for anxiety are considered safer and typically do not lead to dependence or addiction.

The herbal treatments for anxiety most likely to successfully relieve your anxiety are those containing herbs backed by solid clinical research (i.e. shown to effectively reduce anxiety in multiple well-designed studies). And it’s absolutely critical to take an herbal anxiety treatment that provides herbal extracts in the proven doses and potencies.

SOME OF THE MEDICATIONS ARE VALERIAN, L-THEANINE, PASSION FLOWER ETC.,

Answered by SESHAN , an ibibo Master, at 4:31 PM on September 30, 2008

well,Herbs and other natural remedies are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to prescription drugs for the treatment of anxiety. While anti-anxiety medications do work well, they can often be habit-forming or cause side effects, whereas herbal treatments for anxiety are considered safer and typically do not lead to dependence or addiction. But because the FDA does not thoroughly evaluate all natural treatments, most of the herbal treatments for anxiety on the market simply are not effective.

But certain herbs do exhibit potent anti-anxiety effects, and a handful of herbal treatments for anxiety have been proven to effectively relieve anxiety when manufactured properly and administered in the proper dosages. The herbal treatments for anxiety most likely to successfully relieve your anxiety are those containing herbs backed by solid clinical research (i.e. shown to effectively reduce anxiety in multiple well-designed studies). And it’s absolutely critical to take an herbal anxiety treatment that provides herbal extracts in the proven doses and potencies.


Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is one herb shown to relieve anxiety in clinical trials. Standardized Valerian extracts with a minimum of 0.8% valerenic acid, the active constituent, work best. Valerian extract works rapidly, often in less than an hour, when taken in doses of a few hundred milligrams, and can be taken up to three or four times per day.

L-theanine, an amino acid derived from Green Tea, is another herbal anxiety treatment with a significant anti-anxiety effect. Many people report that L-theanine works as well as prescription anti-anxiety medications, but L-theanine is not addictive or habit-forming. Quite a few herbal treatments for anxiety claim to contain "L-theanine" but actually contain a low-quality Green Tea extract with only a small amount of L-theanine, so make sure that you take an herbal anxiety treatment with 98% or 99% pure L-theanine (such as SunTheanine®).

Studies also suggest that Passion Flower (Passiflora incarnata) is effective for anxiety and related conditions. As with Valerian, it’s important to use a standardized Passion Flower extract with at least 3-4% vitexin. An herbal anxiety treatment that combines Passion Flower and Valerian extracts will be more effective than either herb taken alone.

An excellent herbal anxiety treatment with proven real-world success is Seredyn, a supplement with SunTheanine® pure L-theanine, standardized Valerian extract (0.8% valerenic acid), and standardized Passion Flower extract (4% vitexin). Over 93% of Seredyn users with occasional anxiety and 85% with chronic anxiety report positive results, and 80-83% of users with panic and anxiety attacks say that Seredyn helps prevent and stop their attacks. Visit the SEREDYN.COM website to learn more or order securely online.

Answered by Debashis , an ibibo Master, at 4:31 PM on September 30, 2008

Several herbal remedies have been studied as a treatment for anxiety, including kava, passion flower, valerian and theanine.
The most popular herbal treatment for anxiety is kava. Numerous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of kava in reducing anxiety, with effects observed after as few as one to two doses. However, there is concern that kava may be harmful to the liver.
Multiple cases of liver damage — including hepatitis, cirrhosis and liver failure — associated with kava use have been reported in Europe. As a result, several countries have banned the sale of kava due to safety concerns. The Food and Drug Administration has issued warnings about kava but hasn't banned the sale of kava in the United States.
Some evidence suggests that passion flower, valerian and theanine also may reduce anxiety and are generally considered to be safe herbs, with few reported adverse side effects. However, more research is needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these herbal supplements for such use.
If you are considering a trial of a dietary or herbal supplement as a treatment for mild anxiety, talk to your doctor first. Also, if your anxiety is interfering with daily activities, consider working with a mental health specialist as well.

Answered by Alok , an ibibo Master, at 3:29 PM on September 30, 2008