Top 3 Natural Remedies for Anxiety

It is difficult to live with anxiety. I've been through it several times in my life, and I know how overwhelming anxiety can be (see my story). If you suffer from anxiety, you'll be relieved to know that there are a variety of natural ways to combat and overcome your anxious thoughts. I believe in the power of natural remedies to cure, heal, and make people feel better.

Finding natural anxiety remedies isn't as difficult as it may appear. Many herbs and essential oils are well-known for their ability to combat stress and anxiety.

After you've talked to your doctor (because you should ALWAYS talk to your doctor first) to make sure you're a good candidate for natural remedies, try these fantastic herbs, supplements, and essential oils.

Before we get into the remedies, I think it's important to set some ground rules. Natural and home remedies frequently get a bad rap because people try them once, give them a day to work, and then discard them.

Think of natural remedies as something you can use to prevent and treat long-term problems, rather than as “rescue remedies.” While some may help relieve anxiety in the short term, you will need to give them time to work.

This has already been mentioned, but it bears repeating: consult your doctor before attempting anything new to treat your anxiety. This is critical, especially if you have another medical condition. Even something as seemingly innocuous as a mug of hot herbal tea can cause complications if you are taking medications that interact with specific herbs.

Who can benefit from natural anxiety treatments?

Even if your doctor has given you the green light to experiment with natural remedies, you may be wondering if they are right for you. While this is by no means an exhaustive list, natural remedies are best for:

Anxiety ranges from mild to moderate.
Those who wish to exhaust all-natural options before resorting to medication.
People who are unable to tolerate prescription medications.
Natural remedies are also an excellent complement to modern medicine, so even if you're on a prescription, talk to your doctor about incorporating one or more of these suggestions.

Who isn't a candidate for natural anxiety treatments?

Natural anxiety remedies may not be appropriate if your anxiety is so severe that it interferes with your daily life. As previously stated, most remedies take time to work, and some anxiety cases require immediate relief.

It is also critical to understand that these are not treatments for severe panic attacks. Anxiety and panic are two entirely different emotions. Anxiety, in its most basic form, is like a slow burn. Panic is like a flash of lightning.

Now that we've covered who can and cannot use natural remedies, let's get to the real reason you're here!

Top 3 Natural Anxiety Treatments

1. Essential Oil of Lavender

Let's begin with the most well-known and risk-free natural anxiety treatment! Lavender essential oil is excellent for promoting a general sense of well-being. It can be used in a variety of ways, including:

By incorporating it into your favorite cream or lotion
Several drops should be added to your bathwater.
Making your own bath salts at home (just add a few drops to a cup of Epsom salts)
Including it in your preferred essential oil diffuser

If you're feeling particularly crafty, try making your own lavender essential oil bath bombs!

2. Cup of Hot Tea

Although chamomile tea is well-known for its stress-relieving properties, you don't have to enjoy the flowery flavor to reap the benefits of tea. According to research, green tea works just as well as black tea in combating anxiety. I'd recommend chamomile tea in the evening and green tea in the morning because it contains caffeine.

3. Valerian Extract

In terms of supplements, there is no more popular natural anxiety treatment than valerian. Just don't take it if you need to stay awake: it's also a sleep aid. A word of caution: valerian tastes almost as bad as it smells, especially when used in tea. Capsules, on the other hand, are relatively simple to swallow.

While we've already discussed how important it is to consult with your doctor before attempting any natural remedies, this is especially important when using valerian root if you take other medications or have a medical condition. Never combine it with other sleep aids or medications, and never give it to young children without first consulting a doctor.