7 natural anxiolytics, and how to prepare them

These natural anxiolytics can be used as herbal home remedies.

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' shops in the past.

Nowadays, either because of the fear of the much-feared side effects of drugs or because less artificial remedies are preferred, treatments based on natural ingredients or, directly, using the plant from which their active ingredients are extracted, have become popular.

Natural anxiolytics are an interesting alternative to treat mild symptoms of anxiety, since they have a lower amount of active ingredients.They have fewer unforeseen effects.

We will see in more depth what are the main natural remedies for anxiety, how they can be prepared, in addition to taking into account that they must be recommended by a professional and do not forget that there is the option of psychotropic drugs (always used with a doctor's prescription).

• Article related: "What is anxiety: how to recognize it and what to do".

Home remedies against anxiety: do they work?

Throughout the last century, the pharmaceutical industry has been developing increasingly efficient drugs to treat disorders of different types. The research carried out by experts in psychopharmacology has proved to be very useful, since it allows, whenever necessary, to treat problems in a way that, as a general rule, usually proves to be efficient.

Unfortunately, despite the great advances in the field of pharmaceuticals, drugs can produce some serious side effects, even at relatively low doses.. Although not all patients will show these adverse effects, the truth is that there is considerable fear of them and, on many occasions, they can cause the patient not to follow the pharmacological treatment. The opposite effect can also occur, i.e., the patient may become addicted to the medication, since we must not forget that any drug must be taken responsibly since, after all, they are drugs.

Among the best known anxiety medications are 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 to psychotropic drugs are natural anxiolytics. These remedies are made from plants that have been shown to be effective in reducing some of the symptoms that occur in anxiety disorders. These natural treatments should not be considered as a panacea for anxiety nor a one hundred percent effective alternative to treat associated disorders.

Self-medication, even with natural treatments, always involves risks. That is why a professional should be consulted to find out if it is advisable to undergo a treatment that includes natural plants. If so, it should be clear that you should be careful because, although there may not be a high risk of suffering unwanted effects, there may be some kind of counterproductive situation. If, on the other hand, the psychiatrist considers that the use of psychotropic drugs is more appropriate for a particular case, you should follow his or her criteria.

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 in conceiving sleep or occasional 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 allow the synthesis of neurotransmitters, making the brain chemistry is adjusted.

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. Below, we will see a few plants that serve to alleviate anxiogenic symptoms, as well as see ways of preparation and what effects they exert 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 do on brain chemistry.

It helps to calm the nerves, reduce stress and anxiety, but it also has disinfectant properties and repels insects.But it also has disinfectant properties and serves to repel insects. It also helps to calm headaches.

2. Lemon balm

It is also called lemon balm. This plant has been gaining popularity in recent years thanks to its remarkable anti-stress effects. It calms nerves and anxiety quickly and naturally. It has also been shown to be useful in treating insomnia. One of its components is the flavonoid apigenin.

3. Lime blossom

This is the plant most often mentioned when recommending someone to take an infusion to calm the nerves. Lime blossom is one of the best options to calm anxiety, and can be found in any supermarket in the form of sachets to infuse.

It turns out to be such a powerful natural anxiolytic that, in case of frequent consumption, it is recommended to make rest intervals of one week, that is to say, to stop consuming it for that period of time. Its sedative and anxiolytic effect is due to the fact that it contains a potent flavonoid, kaempferol.kaempferol.

4. Valerian

Its calming effect is due to the fact that it contains valepotriates. It is often used to sedate patients who have not previously received any anti-anxiety treatment.

5. Passionflower

Also called passionflower, this plant is ideal for treating nervous tension, insomnia and even hyperactivity to some extent. It is also useful to reduce tachycardia and palpitations.. Passionflower is native to the forests of the United States, but it is marketed all over the world.

6. Chamomile

Along with lime blossom, this plant is a potent pain reliever that can be found in the form of infusion in multiple commercial establishments without much difficulty.

It helps calm nerves and anxiety, as well as having other effects on the body such as reducing the amount of flatulence, disinfecting wounds and reducing inflammation. It is perfect for inducing the whole 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 key role in the nervous system. 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.

However, this herb has a contraindication, and it is not recommended to consume it if you are under a contraceptive treatment, since it can cause it to fail. It can also contribute to menstrual bleeding.

How to prepare this type of remedy?

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, which 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 an herbalist who can but there is always a herbalist who may have sachets of these plants combined with ingredients to 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 whole leaves, one way to prepare it is as follows:

• A glass of water (approximately 250 ml).
• About 15 grams of the selected plant.
• Natural sweetener (optional, it can be honey, stevia...).

It is important to point out that the consumption of sweeteners, whether natural or not, is not healthy in large quantities. For this reason, a moderate and responsible consumption of this type of substances is recommended..

Put 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 infusions twice a day at the most.. It should be remembered that these are specific treatments and that, although they are not as risky as psychotropic drugs, it is advisable that a doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist be aware of their use, in addition to indicating the symptoms of anxiety suffered.

They are not remedies that replace a psychological or psychopharmacological treatment.. If it is necessary to consume drugs, this should be done.

Bibliographical references:

• Adán, A. and Prat, G. (2016). Psychopharmacology: mechanism of action, effect and therapeutic management. Barcelona, Spain. Marge Medica Books.
• Alramadhan E., Hanna M. S., Hanna M. S., Goldstein T. A., Avila S. M., Weeks B. S. (2012) Dietary and botanical anxiolytics.Med Sci Monit,18(4):40-48.
• Cases, J., Ibarra, A., Feuillère, N., Roller, M., & Sukkar, S. G. (2011). Pilot trial of Melissa officinalis L. leaf extract in the treatment of volunteers suffering from mild-to-moderate anxiety disorders and sleep disturbances. Mediterranean journal of nutrition and metabolism, 4(3), 211–218. doi:10.1007/s12349-010-0045-4