Posco_Proudfoot Posted December 18, 2008 Posted December 18, 2008 I read somewhere about various herbs and other OTC drugs that are great for calming or helping anxiety in a person. One was Saint John's Wort. There is evidence that it is just as effective as Prozac. I have a link to the article but I think there is rules in LS against posting links or something?? Then something about Passionflower and Valarian root for calming. Passionflower -Researchers don't know exactly how passionflower works, but they theorize that compounds in the plant, known as flavonoids and alkaloids, regulate the neurotransmitters in your nervous system that reduce anxiety. One flavonoid, called chrysin, calms your central nervous system and lowers your blood pressure. 5-htp was also suggested for using because it helps with mood. I was thinking this was used as a appetite suppressant and a sleep aid. I'm not quite sure how you can have a sleep aid and appetite suppressant both but that's what I found in wikipedia, for what it's worth. Obviously, none of this should be used without your own research and if your having serious problems such as depression. Any thoughts or insight into usage of herbal drugs? I use to not believe they were worth the shelf space but I find more and more people actually using them, especially since many have been in use for thousands of years only people have forgotten what they're really for. Doctors never suggest them.
Meaplus3 Posted December 18, 2008 Posted December 18, 2008 A friend of mine swears by Valarian root she say's it really does have a calming effect. As for the other's I have no idea. On thing I do know is that if your taking a persciption drug sometimes herbs can interact with them. Mea:)
Adamagnet Posted December 19, 2008 Posted December 19, 2008 Here's a few OTCs not mentioned: -Kava is an anxyolitic, but there is evidence that the leaves and stems are hepatoxic, so only root preparations should be used. -Kanna is a South African succulent that forms mesmebrine, a psychoactive with SSRI properties, when fermented. -Magnolia bark is used as an anxyolitic/antidepressant in some traditional practices. -Even chamomile is a mild anxyolitic. It's too bad the FDA doesn't regulate supplements and it's a fallacy to believe that a substance is beneficial just because it's "natural", so for all I know any of the above could kill you. Oh and some species of the passion flower create cyanide like compounds.
Lizzie60 Posted December 19, 2008 Posted December 19, 2008 I think that any natural remedies could work as long as you believe they do.. in that case, your brain would make the healing. I do believe that even 'visualization' in some cases can heal firm believers. I never believed that herbs and all the natural stuff can compete with chemicals.. but that's just me...
Adamagnet Posted December 19, 2008 Posted December 19, 2008 I think that any natural remedies could work as long as you believe they do.. in that case, your brain would make the healing. Yes, but testing the effectiveness of a compound requires the use placebo controlled trials, so there has to be a statistically significant effect for these studies to be published in any of the pharmacological journals. I never believed that herbs and all the natural stuff can compete with chemicals.. but that's just me... A large percentage of our medicine is organic and even some of the inorganic pharmacological agents can be created by plants, fungi or bacteria. Also, it can be argued that many synthetics are functional group isomers of natural compounds. How many times have organic chemists used nature for their inspiration? I don't know, but I'm betting it's common.
D-Lish Posted December 19, 2008 Posted December 19, 2008 I think it depends on the severity of your anxiety. I tried the natural route for years... and found little benefit. Unfortunately, the only OTC remedy I found for a time was beer. I don't look to that anymore. I came down with a severe depression a year ago. I couldn't eat or sleep or leave my place- I swear I cried for 6 months straight. It was my darkets time. Natural remedies did not help me. I started taking some anti-anxiety and depression meds... The depression has lifted and the anxiety is reduced. I feel so much better. I think many people experience mild anxiety (mine is harsh)... Perhaps natural remedies could assist people in this position.
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