
While benzodiazepines are impactful for anxiety, they come with a long list of side effects.Ī clinical trial compared passionflower and oxazepam (a benzodiazepine) in the treatment of GAD. Researchers are looking at passionflower as a safer alternative to benzodiazepines, a class of pharmaceutical drugs that are typically prescribed for anxiety. The Best Herbs for Anxietyīelow are the best herbs for anxiety and overall mood improvement. We’ll list the best-in-class anxiety herbs for each of these actions below. This effect helps to reduce tension and promote relaxation and a sense of calm. Relaxants – these herbs help to relax the muscles in the body.These are helpful for increasing sleep quality at night. These herbs work by increasing GABA, a chief inhibitory neurotransmitter that signals the body to prepare to wind down. Sedative – these types of herbs work to reduce brain activity.

Can be especially nourishing to the nervous system. They may help to bring systems into balance and restore function. Trophorestorative – nourishing herbs that usually has an affinity for different systems within the body.These herbs may be very helpful for relieving muscle tension, ruminating thoughts, and restless sleep. Nervine – herbs that support the nervous system and have a mild calming action.This calming mental effect can be very beneficial for anxiety, especially for those that struggle with excessive worry. Anxiolytic – this category of herbs works to reduce anxiety.Herbs can work to support mental health via a few different mechanisms.īelow are the primary ways that herbs can help to benefit anxiety. While herbs are not as effective as pharmaceutical drugs for anxiety, they tend to be more of a gentle alternative and tend to have fewer side effects.

Various clinical trials show that using herbs can help to reduce anxiety and improve overall mood and wellbeing. Research indicates that anxiety can lead to lead to, or worsen, other mental and physical conditions, including: Researchers note that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most common form of anxiety with over 12% of people suffering each year. While it’s a natural response, there may be a concern when anxiety is constant, and feelings of fear, worry, nervousness, or irritability start to impede on everyday life. Anxiety is the body’s response to stress.
