Herbs for Anxiety?

[kerikadi]

Someone from another bulletin board just asked me about Valerian for her moderate anxiety. I am not familiar with this. Does anybody here know anything about it or something else to help her with her anxiety?
Thanks,
Keri

[Hera]

Valerian is a sedative....for some people, myself and my dd included, it has the opposite effect. Motherwort is nice, as a tincture to take as needed, probably not for early pregnancy -ask an herbalist or someone like that. Scullcap works by norishing the nervous system, good for a tonic infusion. St. John's (or Joan's if you must) Wort, the flowers especially but what you usually get is the flowering tops, is a very good choice too. Lemon balm is nice. Chamomile tea, maybe even with lemon balm and a small pinch of lavender flowers would be nice to sip. Avoiding caffeine and chocolate is a good place to start, also.
hope that helps.....

[bebe luna]

Also, Rescue remedy (a flower essence) is great for anxiety.
So is low doses of kava kave (only if you aren't nursing).
I think valerian can be great for anxiety- especially bedtime anxiety.
Acupuncture, shiatsu, and Chinese Medicine can also really help.

[steph]

and to the good recommendations listed above, i would recommend a nice warm bath with essential oil of lavendar, rose geranium and clary sage (mixed into a carrier oil like almond or even any vegetable oil my mix - 8 drops lavender, 2 drps rose geranium, 1 or 2 drops clary sage). smells great and helps uplift the spirits. ( dim the lights, light some candles and focus on breathing is good to add to that too)

p.s. a word about valerian - not good if nursing, and not for extended use...

[dreemn]

You could also try blue vervain or tincture of lemon balm- or just lemon balm tea.

[pella]

A good combination I know works is Passion Flower tincture and Oat Flower tincture. Works great without making you sleepy...

[miasmami]

I'm a big fan of Rescue Remedy

[bebe luna]

valerian is safe while breastfeeding, and while pregnant. It is a very safe herb. Even safe for children- over 1 years old.

[veggiewolf]

Another vote for lemon balm

When I have anxiety (job related or otherwise), I literally drown myself in lemon balm. Lemon balm tea with a little lavender works wonders, as does adding lemon balm leaves to a bath tea bag (a handful wrapped in cheesecloth, tied, and steeped in the bathtub.

Valerian doesn't work for me (tends to wind my wires too tightly), but an infusion of skullcap and chamomile also works well.

April

[Hera]

OK, so I asked someone about Valerian..... If you tend to be cold, cold hands and feet, valerian has the opposite effect.....can you support that April?

[veggiewolf]

My extremities are always cool to the touch, and my core temperature is lower than most (body temp is 96.8 degrees F). Funnily enough, the cold doesn't bother me and winter is my favorite time of year. I never feel cold, but I am cooler in temp than most.

April

[bebe luna]

I always have cold hands and feet, and I take valerian time to time w/ great success... I do agree that lemon balm is also wonderful... and chamomile tea and essential oil, as well as lavender... hops, passion flower, skullcap all are excellent teas or tinctures for calming as well... chronic anxiety can also be very successfullly treated w/ TCM/acupuncture/shiatsu/chinese herbs...