The use of medicinal herbs is something very present in every culture throughout its history. Whether to treat physical or emotional problems, herbal remedies were once plentiful in apothecaries.

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

Natural anxiolytics are an interesting alternative to treat the mild symptoms of anxiety , since they present a lesser amount of unexpected effects.

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

Home remedies for anxiety: do they work?

Over the last century, the pharmaceutical industry has been developing increasingly efficient drugs to treat disorders of various kinds. 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 rule, is usually efficient.

Unfortunately, despite the great advances in the field of pharmacy, medicines 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, on many occasions, they may cause the patient to not follow the drug treatment. The opposite effect may also occur, that is, the patient may become addicted to the drugs, given that we must not forget that any drug must be taken responsibly given that, 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 than psychopharmaceuticals 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 a panacea for anxiety, nor should they be considered a 100% effective alternative for 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 should be clear that care must be taken because, although there may not be a high risk of suffering undesirable effects, there may be some kind of counterproductive situation. If, on the contrary, the psychiatrist considers that the use of psychotropic drugs is more appropriate for a particular 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 helping with sleep conception or occasional episodes of insomnia . This has been investigated in several studies, in which it has been found that the use of this type of herbs allows the synthesis of neurotransmitters, causing the brain chemistry to adjust.

The best natural anxiolytics and how to prepare them

There are many plants that are used to prepare natural remedies, either for anxiety or any other type of problem. Below, we will look at a few plants that are used to relieve anxious symptoms, as well as see forms 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 do on brain chemistry.

It helps to calm the nerves, reduce stress and anxiety , but in addition it has disinfectant properties and serves to repel insects. It also helps to soothe 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. It soothes 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. Linden

This is the plant most often mentioned when someone is recommended to drink an infusion to calm the nerves. Linden is one of the best options for calming anxiety, and can be found in any supermarket in the form of tea bags.

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

4. Valerian

Its soothing effect is due to the fact that contains valepotriates . It is usually used to sedate patients who have not received any treatment for anxiety before.

5. Passionflower

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

6. Chamomile

Together with lime blossom, this plant is a powerful soother that can be found as an infusion in many commercial establishments without much difficulty.

It helps calm nerves and anxiety, and has other effects on the body such as reducing flatulence, disinfecting wounds and reducing inflammation. It is perfect for inducing the whole body into a state of general relaxation .

7. St. John’s wort

It has more of an antidepressant effect, but may 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, sleep and mood .

Also, always under professional supervision, it is used to treat PMS.

However, this herb has a contraindication, and that is that it is not recommended for use if you are on contraceptive treatment, as it may cause you to fail. It can also contribute to menstrual bleeding.

How do you prepare this type of remedy?

As we have already indicated, the perfect way to consume these treatments is by drinking an infusion. There are certain plants, such as lime blossom and camomile, 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 some herbalist who can have bags with these plants combined with ingredients to give them a better taste.

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

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

It is important to note 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 the 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 stand for about 5 minutes.

It is recommended to consume this type of infusion twice a day at the most . It is worth remembering that they are specific treatments and that, although they are not as risky as psychopharmaceuticals, it is recommended that a doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist be aware of their consumption, in addition to indicating the symptoms of anxiety suffered.

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

Bibliographic references:

  • Adam, 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