Chinese Herbal Remedies for Anxiety

With modern Western medicine unable to treat many anxiety conditions, people are increasingly turning to alternative medicines for a solution. Alternative medicine also doesn't usually have the addictive values or side effects that many anxiety medicines possess. Chinese herbs and medicines are one of the most popular alternative treatments for conditions like stress and anxiety. There are many herbs and herbal teas that supposedly help treat anxiety without the side effects or addiction you would have to tackle when taking modern drugs such as Prozac.

Anxiety: East vs. West

• Physicians in Western medicine believe that depression and anxiety are a symptom of the alteration of the chemical patterns of the brain. That is why the medicines to treat the condition target the brain chemistry. Chinese medicine sees anxiety and stress as a problem related to the chest. The belief is that if left untreated, the anxiety and stress can cause heart arrhythmia and different forms of psychosis later on. That is why the suggestion for treatment in traditional Chinese medicine is more physical that psychological as promoted in Western medicines. Yoga, massage, breathing exercises and even push-ups can help reduce stress.

Herbs for Liver and Chest

• Several Chinese herbs use to treat anxiety target the same region. Hare's ear root or bupleurum is said to increase the strength of the chest and improves circulation. Adding some mint leaves to create a combination further enhances the value of the herb. Other herbs that help the liver cleanse the body and clear the chest are immature tangerine peel, cyprus roots, the Chinese rose and bitter orange peel.

Nourish the Heart

• Herbologists believe that when the heart is nourished, the mind is cleansed, creating a calming effect on the nerves and alleviating anxiety. Some herbs, like sour date seeds, arbor vitae seeds and wheat berries, are used to treat anxiety. The mimosa tree bark combined with salvia miltorrhiza helps strengthen the chest and nourish the heart and is said to be the most effective of the group.

Calming the Nerves

• Sometimes when emotions are running high, herbs rich in calcium and minerals are given to calm the nerves. These herbs help calm and sedate the person when delusions or psychosis seems to have settled in. These herbs include oyster shell, pearl and loadstone and are only given for short durations, due to their strength.

Emotions and Phlegm

• Western medicine defines phlegm as mucous. Chinese herbologists suggest that phlegm is a thickening of fluids. When a person is extremely anxious, the blood thickens and the flow to the heart and chest is restricted. This then requires the reconnection of the mind and body to be created done through "anchoring herbs," like sweet flag rhizome (chang pu) that dissolves phlegm.

Herbs and Combinations

• Like any medicine, traditional Chinese medicine depends on formulas or combination of herbs rather than single herb use. Alone, most herbs have little therapeutic value but when combined with other herbs to create the correct combination, the herbs become potent. Some herbs are used for dilution of the formula, while others are used for the taste. Some reduce side effects and others are used to magnify the effect.

Forms of Herbal Medicine

• Formulas for the herbs can be in the form of teas (decoctions), powder (granules or milled), tinctured extracts, tablets or pills. Sometimes capsules are also available.