During the past 18 months, one thing is clear. The rise in anxiety has grown exponentially throughout all age groups, cultures and backgrounds. The reports coming out of doctors offices of new and existing patients experiencing higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression have overwhelmed an already flooded health service.
The natural world offers so many ways to help support, treat and cure the unique symptoms of anxiety. In this blog, we will look at 4 ways to support and reduce anxiety levels, regardless of where you find yourself on the spectrum.
Chamomile - without question, one of the best studied herbs for anxiety there is. Ever since my two-year-old son stopped breastfeeding, his pre-sleep drink of choice is chamomile tea. He loves it cold in the summer and warm in the winter. Chamomile was found to have moderate benefits for people suffering from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), and help improve cortisol levels (a key marker of stress). Researchers concluded that Chamomile helps our stress biology work in a calmer manner.
Essential Oils - we are blessed that so many herbal oils can support everything from headaches to fatigue. The diffuser I have at home is usually used to help calm the household and provide anti-stress effects. We rotate between lavender, rose, orange, and bergamot, or some type of blend. Right now I love Sweet Dreams by Fern & Petal. We still have an active discount code for Fern & Petal. Use TRUEHOPE15 for a 15% discount.
We also have a video that talks about the benefits of Aromatherapy - CLICK HERE
Study subjects rated themselves "calmer" and "more relaxed" than the control group when using topical blended lavender and bergamot essential oils. Meta analyses of lavender and rose oils show strong anti-anxiety effects in animal models. As more studies emerge, the research is clear, essential oils are a quick, pleasant, inexpensive and side effect free way to reduce stress for everyone in the home.
Cannabidol (CBD) - famously known as an anti-inflammatory and pain reducing compound, CBD also has strong anti-anxiety properties.
CBD has been extensively studied in Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), providing the brain with anxiety supporting factors. CBD has also been compared to pharmaceutical drugs, and created longer reductions in anxious symptoms, as well as improving sleep quality.
Kava - this Pacific Island crop can modulate GABA activity in the brain. GABA is a chemical
messenger, or neurotransmitter that blocks specific signals in the central nervous system, helping the brain slow down. This provides a calming and protective effect on the brain and body.
Kava has been shown to be superior to placebo in the treatment of anxiety, an impressive feat. Showing that these types of herbal therapies can be an effective treatment alternative to harsher pharmaceutical drugs. We see better results and effectiveness, specifically in females and younger people.
As always, make sure you're working with a health professional before using herbs as medicine.
Simon Brazier. Dip HN, NNCP
simon@truehope.com
