Amino acids, Gaba Sam-E, Fish oil, Turmeric, Chamomile, Valerian root, Kava Kava, Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Lavender, Passionflower, Lemon balm, Magnesium, and Bacopa are some of the best herbal supplements for anxiety.
Taking natural supplements for anxiety is often very beneficial for anxiety sufferers and people who don’t want the side effects of pharmaceutical drugs. Aside from relieving symptoms of anxiety, these natural options even have their benefits. In this article, we will discuss 21 best herbal supplements for anxiety. Read on to find out everything that you need to know about these supplements.
Top 21 Natural Supplements for Anxiety
Vitamin B Supplements
Vitamin b complex helps combat stress and protects the brain. Low levels of those vitamins are related to anxiety, depression, mental decline, schizophrenia, and brain aging. Thankfully, these vitamins are available in the form of supplements, and taking them helps keep the brain healthy, manage symptoms of anxiety, and prevent panic attacks.
Vitamin C
Deficiency in vitamin c has been linked with neurological damage, memory loss, and loss of alertness. Vitamin c also helps put a break to the strain of hormone-cortisol. An increased amount of cortisol within the body makes an individual highly vulnerable to mental-disorders.
Probiotics
Gut health plays an important role in warding off symptoms of anxiety and depression. If an individual’s gut-health is tousled, their body is unable to soak up the required nutrients from the food which will enable both their brain and body to function normally. Probiotics improve digestive health and also help relieve symptoms of anxiety. Foods or supplements rich in probiotics significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety.
Vitamin D
Vitamin d is an extremely important vitamin required by our body, that is naturally produced in the body when exposed to sunlight. Low levels of vitamin d are significantly associated with anxiety and depression. Vitamin d plays an essential role in keeping stress away by affecting the number of chemicals called monoamines in the brain.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are chemical compounds obtained from protein in our daily diet, and they play a critical role in the creation of neurotransmitters, which help regulate mood and behavior. Low levels of neurotransmitters within the brain cause mental disorders like anxiety and depression. 5htp is a popular amino acid supplement that’s prescribed to increase serotonin levels within the brain.
Gaba
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (Gaba) is one of the body’s most important neurotransmitters. It calms the nervous system by shutting the fight or flight response. This compound helps promote relaxation by calming the mind and body.
Sam-E
S-adenosylmethionine (same helps regulate hormones and maintain cell membranes. In the brain of the individual concerned, this naturally produced compound helps the nerve cells to maintain connectivity, make energy, and regulate mood-related neurotransmitters
Fish Oil
Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep anxiety away. Omega -3 fatty acids are crucial body fats obtained from food like fish, vegetable oil, nuts (especially walnuts), flax seeds, flaxseed oil, and green leafy vegetables. Omega-3 fatty acids effectively help keep off anxiety and improve mood naturally, without any dangerous side effects. Consuming food rich in omega-3 fatty acids offers powerful protection against anxiety.
St John’s Wort
St john’s wort is a herb that can be taken in the form of a capsule, tea, or liquid extract. This herb decreases anxiety by boosting chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. It decreases anxiety by protecting the brain with its anti-inflammatory properties.
Turmeric
Turmeric has many antianxiety and antidepressant properties. People who suffer from mental disorders tend to have more significant inflammation and oxidative stress, which can affect all major organs in the body, including the brain. Turmeric has been found to have certain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help restore the levels of these chemicals in the brain and reduce the effects of oxidative stress.
Chamomile
Chamomile is used in tea and is known for its refreshing abilities. This herb consists of certain ingredients that have anxiolytic properties, which in turn help manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. Regular consumption of chamomile helps improve mood and increase happiness.
Valerian Root
Valerian root helps calm nervousness, stress, insomnia, and headaches. This natural supplement helps with insomnia and nervous tension caused by anxiety.
Kava Kava
Kava helps relieve anxiety, stress, restlessness, and treat insomnia. Kava has different effects on the brain and blocks norepinephrine reuptake.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an ancient herb famous in indian cultures. It has been used to treat anxiety and low energy. It is also considered as an adaptogen, which helps to balance our bodies to better adapt to stress. This herb may also help balance out hormones, which contribute to anxiety.
Rhodiola
Rhodiola also called “golden root” or “arctic root” helps your body fight stress, fatigue, reduce symptoms of depression, and helps to improve brain function. Rhodiola affects the adrenal gland, which controls your stress and anxiety.
Lavender
Lavender is used for treating anxiety, depression, restlessness, insomnia, headache, and pain. This herb is also one of the most used herb remedies in aromatherapy, smelling the essential oil is said to calm you and help with relaxation. A few ways to use lavender include inhaling, using the oil in a diffuser, taking a bath with the essential oil, or having a massage with lavender oil.
Passion Flower
Passionflower is a herb, which is used for anxiety, insomnia, ADHD, fibromyalgia, and other disorders. This herb can also help with burns on the skin by rubbing it to the affected area. This herb can be taken in many forms, such as tablets, capsules, liquid extracts, and herbal teas.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is used for anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. It can be taken as a tea or a supplement. Lemon balm has also been used for diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD, high blood pressure, sores, and insect bites.
Magnesium
Magnesium supplements can help with anxiety, help prevent migraines and even fight depression. Magnesium can be found in different kinds of foods such as spinach, pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, salmon, halibut, avocado, cooked quinoa, black beans, and swiss chard.
Bacopa
Bacopa is a plant that has been used in traditional Indian medicine. It has also been used for anxiety, ADHD, and improving memory. This herb comes in either tablet or capsule form. The side effects range from nausea, fatigue, cramps, diarrhea, and dry mouth.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of the most important vitamins required by the human body. It helps the nervous system relax, your muscles relax as well as your whole body. When one’s nervous system is working correctly, this helps minimize stress and ultimately calming their anxiety.
Therefore, to conclude, these natural supplements for anxiety are very effective in managing symptoms of the disorder and bringing relief to the person concerned. However, before trying any kind of natural supplements, please consult your doctor.
Sources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2959081/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325823.php
