Natural Anti-Anxiety Medications

Modern studies show there are more than forty million people in America suffering from anxiety each year. Usually doctors order such medications as Xanax or Zoloft in these conditions but it seems there is more natural and safe way to deal with nervousness, panic attacks and anxiety than prescription medicine. Natural medications are not as addictive as ordinary drugs and cause fewer side effects. But despite such herbal supplements as 5-HTP and kava kava shown its ability to cope with apprehension and relieve a person from stress it will be better to consult your therapist before switching to them.

5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan is one of the natural dietary supplements being sold without a prescription. 5-HTP is an amino-acid of natural occurrence. It acts like chemical precursor and intermediate in serotonin synthesis. Increasing of serotonin level helps regulate sleep, decreases appetite and increases person’s mood therefore 5-HTP may be used in treatment of stress and other nervous disorders caused by serotonin shortage. It’s recommended to take 50 – 100 mg of 5-HTP per day on an empty stomach. Long term side effects of the supplement haven’t yet been described so it shouldn’t be used continuously. Currently known side effects include headaches, nausea and loose stool.

Another herbal anti-anxiety medication is Seredyn. It consists of three active components: L-theanine, passion flower extract and valerian extract. L-theanine is a glutamic acid obtained from a plant called Camellia sinensis widely known as tea. By its effect L-theanine is similar to caffeine. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and calms person down simultaneously increasing concentration. Passion flower was long since considered sedative and calming herb. It lowers anxiety and naturally relives from stress. Another Seredyn component, valerian extract, normalizes sleep and helps those with withdrawal symptoms from using anti-anxiety medicines. Seredyn has rare side effects among which are dyspepsia, exhaustion, grogginess and agitation. It’s recommended to take 1 – 2 capsules three times a day.

There is a shrub called pepper plant in western Pasific and Polynesia which is used by the aborigines as the hallucinogen. Its root extract called kava kava is used in production of relaxing and sedative supplement which lessens muscle tension and cheers mood. Kava doesn’t cause any addition though it might call a mild euphoria. It helps improve socializing and normalizes sleep. Kava kava should be taken a few hours before bedtime as it can cause drowsiness. It’s not recommended to take kava more than three times a week or with acetaminophens e.g. Tylenol.

It is possible to cope with stress and anxiety without using any chemical or addictive medications and there are a lot more natural and harmless supplements than described here. But you should always remember it’s mandatory to refer to your physician to switch your prescribed medicine.