Holistic Aids for Anxiety - Supplements and Essential Oils
For individuals who experience anxiety on a regular basis, this stress can negatively impact your physical health, relationships, mental health and daily life in a significant way. Things may start to feel out of control when our bodies respond to anxiety by producing physical symptoms. There are many contributing factors that can exacerbate anxiety symptoms such as diet, hormones, and exercise methods, which will be covered in upcoming posts.
Working to address these physical symptoms from the inside out can increase a sense of calm/relaxation and control.
Herbal supplements are a great start when it comes to increasing overall health and combating anxiety. Herbal supplements can be ingested by capsule, tea or powder that can be added to foods or dissolved in water.
Aromatherapy can also assist in decreasing anxiety and promote relaxation.
Essential oils are liquids derived from plants, flowers and fruits. They can be applied topically on the skin, used in diffusers or inhaled directly. Applying essential oils directly to pressure points of the body has also been found effective. Essential oils must be diluted with water before they are applied to the skin. Be sure to investigate the quality of herbal supplements and essential oils you are purchasing to ensure that they are pure (100% pure, therapeutic grade), as this can dictate their effectiveness.
Listed below are herbal supplements and essential oils that have been proven to reduce anxiety and increase a sense of calm and relaxation. Also included is a short description detailing specific symptoms they assist in alleviating or how they may affect hormones or nerves.
Magnesium Citrate
Magnesium citrate easily absorbs in the body resulting in quicker & more obvious relief. It's a nervous system relaxant that assists with fear, irritability, and restlessness.
Passionflower
This is a calming herb for anxiety, insomnia, and even seizures. You can include this in your diet through teas, extracts, or tablets.
Vitamin D
Assists in mood regulation, nerve and brain health.
Theanine
Reduces stress responses in your body.
B-Complex
Keeps mood lifted and stabilized.
Ashwagandha
Dramatically lowers levels or cortisol. Also improves focus and stamina.
Licorice Root
Helps to slow production of adrenaline and cortisol.
Rhodiola
Supports emotional well-being and enhances energy levels by helping the body adapt to stress in a healthy way.
Fish Oil (Omega-3)
Omega-3s are the basic building blocks of the brain and nervous system, so taking fish oil helps maintain a healthy level of cognitive function.
Probiotics
Maintaining a healthy amount of gut bacteria affects a healthy response to chronic stress and has been shown to promote mental health and cognitive function.
Lavender
Oil used for anxiety & insomnia. Proven to restore the nervous system by reducing blood pressure & heart rate.
Rose Oil
Helpful for soothing emotions, headaches and balancing hormones.
Chamomile
Promotes inner calm, reduces anxiety and calms the nervous system. It can also be used to reduce inflammation of the digestive tract, regulating mood and stress levels.
Jasmine
Used for anxiety, stress, insomnia and depression. It also acts as a natural sedative, improves mood & energy levels.
Clary Sage
Effective in calming stress and anxiety.
Disclaimer: The content on this website is not intended as a medical reference but as a source of information. Before trying any herbal remedy it is recommended to try a small quantity first to establish whether there are any adverse or allergic reactions to the herb. If you wish to take a herbal remedy with prescribed medicines, you should talk to a pharmacist or your doctor first – treat all herbal remedies with respect.
Neither the writer nor Hopeful Horizons can be held responsible for any adverse reactions to the recommendations on this website. The use of any herb or derivative is entirely at the reader’s own risk.
