7 natural anxiolytics, and how to prepare them

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

Nowadays, either because of the fear of the dreaded side effects of drugs or because less artificial remedies are preferred, there have been popularized treatments based on natural ingredients or, directly, resorting to the plant from which its principles are extracted assets.

Natural anxiolytics are an interesting alternative to treat mild symptoms of anxiety, since they present fewer unforeseen effects.

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

• Related article: "What is anxiety: how to recognize it and what to do"

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 proven to be very useful, since it allows, always when necessary, treat problems in a way that, as a general rule, is usually shown efficient.

Unfortunately, despite the great advances in the field of pharmacy, medications can cause some serious side effects, even at relatively low doses. Although not all patients will show these adverse effects, the truth is that they are afraid considerable and, in many cases, can cause the patient to not follow the pharmacological treatment. The opposite effect can also occur, that is, that the patient becomes addicted to drugs, since We must not forget that any drug must be taken responsibly since, after all, they are drugs

Among the most popular 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 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 or a 100% effective alternative to treat associated disorders.

Self-medication, even with natural treatments, always involves risks. That is why you should consult a professional to see if it is advisable to undergo a treatment that includes natural plants. In the event that this is the case, it should be clear that you must be careful because, although there may not be a high risk of suffering unwanted effects, yes there may be some kind of situation counterproductive. If, on the contrary, the psychiatrist considers that the use of psychotropic drugs is more appropriate for a specific case, he must follow his criteria.

Natural anxiolytics have been shown to be effective in treating mild symptoms such as moderate and occasional anxiety, mild nervousness (eg. (e.g. before an exam, tense family situation ...) in addition to help when conceiving sleep or with specific 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 chemistry adjust cerebral.

• You may be interested: "Types of anxiolytics: drugs that fight anxiety"

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. Next, we will see a few plants that serve to alleviate anxiety symptoms, in addition to seeing forms 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 have on brain chemistry.

Helps calm nerves, reduce stress and anxiety, but in addition to that, it has disinfectant properties and is used to repel insects. It also helps ease headaches.

2. Balm

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

3. Linden

This is the most mentioned plant when it is recommended to someone to take an infusion to calm the nerves. Linden is one of the best options to calm 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, if consumed very frequently, it is recommends doing rest intervals of one week, that is, stop consuming it for that period of weather. Its sedative and anxiolytic effect is due to the fact that it contains a powerful flavonoid, kaempferol.

4. Valerian

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

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 traded around the world.

6. Chamomile

Along with linden, this plant is a powerful painkiller that can be found in infusion form in many 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 general relaxation.

7. Grass of San Juan

Rather, it has antidepressant effects, but may be ideal for treating mild symptoms of anxiety. This is because it promotes the synthesis of serotonin, a substance that plays a vital role in the nervous system, sleep and mood.

Also, always under the supervision of a professional, it is used to treat premenstrual syndrome.

In any case, this herb has a contraindication, and that is that it is not recommended to consume it if you are under 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 linden and chamomile, that can be found relatively easily in the form of infusion preparations. The rest of the herbs are not as common in supermarkets, but there is always some herbalist who can have bags with these plants 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 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, it can be honey, stevia ...).

It is important to indicate 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.

The water is put into a container, such as a pot or saucepan, and it is brought to a boil. When it is boiling, it is removed from the heat and the 15 grams of the desired plant are added. Once this is done, cover the pot and let the herb infuse for about 15 minutes. Then, with the help of a strainer, the infusion is separated from the leaves, the sweetener is added if desired and left to rest for about 5 minutes.

It is recommended to consume this type of infusions twice a day at most. It should be remembered that they are specific treatments and that, although they are not as risky as psychotropic drugs, it is It is recommended that a doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist be aware of its consumption, 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 take drugs, it 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