Good Herbal Teas for Anxiety

According to Holisticonline.com, more than 23 million Americans experience anxiety, making it the most common mental illness in the country. Anxiety can be considered an illness when you cannot control your anxious feelings. Anxiety involves excessive levels of negative emotions like worry, fear, tension and nervousness. To relieve the symptoms of anxiety, some experts suggest using organic remedies like herbal teas to relax the mind, emotions and body.

Catnip

• Research conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other health associations have claimed that herbal remedies, including catnip tea, contain a natural composition of various compounds that affect the brain, heart and mind. Catnip is used widely for soothing an upset stomach that may be related to anxiety. It contains nepetalactone, which acts as a sedative in humans. Consequently, catnip tea may also be used to help lessen migraine headaches. According to the Natural Remedies Review, the tea provides relief from headaches resulting from migraine, tension or stress. Its calming effect can be used to cause relaxation throughout the entire body.

Valerian

• This well-known root tea is used to reduce the symptoms related to anxiety and insomnia. It can be used as a sedative as well as a painkiller and it prevents panic attacks. Valerian tea is most beneficial when taken for at least a couple weeks, but not for longer periods. Research from Clarocet.com found that valerian root is well known in helping to relieve stress. It also may reduce psychological reactivity during stressful situations. Valerian tea is not a treatment option for anxiety disorders and insomnia. Valerian can help to provide short-term relief for some individuals as a dietary supplement. It also can provide some level of emotional support, but only a qualified medical professional can diagnose and treat anxiety-related disorders.

German Chamomile

• This plant tea has been used for centuries to calm troubled thoughts, occasional anxiety, overactive behavior, sleep difficulties, restlessness, tension, and nervous agitation. According to anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com, apigenin, an active component in German chamomile tea, will soothe your nerves and rest your mind because it has been demonstrated to act as a sedative in clinical studies. German chamomile is one of the oldest and safest medicinal herbal teas. As a gentle relaxant, this tea has been shown to work for a variety of health complaints including stress.

Feverfew

• Feverfew tea can calm your nerves, and it relieves migraines and headaches as a result of anxiety, according to the PeoplesPharmacy.com. This herb has been studied and found effective for the prevention of migraine headaches, while reducing the number of these headaches by 70 percent. Studies also have found feverfew to be effective for reducing the pain and controlling the nausea commonly experienced with such headaches. Other research has shown that feverfew may prevent the severity and occurrence of migraines, however the tea is not a remedy for existing migraines.

Tips and Warnings

• Consult your physician before using herbal tea for anxiety. While there are various herbal tea remedies, it is wise to inform your doctor before starting a herbal regimen because the potency can range from mild to strong depending on your condition and symptoms. For example, discontinue using German chamomile if you are allergic to ragweed. The side effects of using feverfew can be mouth sores and nausea, so discontinue the use of this herb if these symptoms occur. Do not take feverfew if you are pregnant. Drinking more valerian root than recommended can cause nervousness, headaches and vertigo. Only a qualified medical professional can diagnose and treat anxiety related disorders.