Impatience, poor concentration, a feeling of helplessness, irritability, being tense and restless are common symptoms of anxiety. Some of us experience anxiety leading up to an uncertain event and for others it feels like a normal state of being, possibly brought on by a hormonal imbalance. For these individuals it can feel like a silent killer as it can cause an array of physical symptoms such as chest tightness, indigestion, dry mouth, fatigue, sweating and headaches.
The following are the top five natural remedies for anxiety that I prescribe for my clients. They help manage the symptoms until the underlying reasons are resolved.
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1. Flower remedies
Flower remedies bring peace and calm, balance and centre the individual and gives clarity of one’s feelings. They encourage faith, courage and stillness. They can bring about confidence, commitment, self-reliance and self-approval. They are used specifically for the emotional state of anxiety and can target specific underlying fears.
Bach Flower Essences:
– Rock Rose – The remedy for emergency situations. For feelings of hopelessness and fear.
– Mimulus – The fears of everyday life.
– Aspen – Vague unknown fears where there is no explanation but feel something may happen.
– Red Chestnut – Anxiety for others.
– Cherry Plum – The fear of losing one’s mind.
– White Chestnut – Constant thought.
– Star of Bethlehem – For those in great distress under conditions.
– Rescue Remedy – A blend that can be taken at any time to relieve anxiety and panic.
Australian Bush Flower Essences:
– Crowea – Continual worrying; a sense of not being right.
– Dog Rose – Fearful, shy, insecure, apprehensive of others, niggling fears.
– Dog Rose of the Wild Forces – Fear of losing control, hysteria.
– Grey Spider Flower – Terror, fear of supernatural and psychic attack
– Illawarra Flame Tree – Fear of responsibility, overwhelming sense of rejection.
– Tall Mulla Mulla – Ill at ease, sometimes fearful of being with others, loner, distressed by and avoids confrontation.
– Emergency Essence – A combination essence used for panic, distress and fear, it gives the ability to cope.
2. Calming herbal teas
Nourish the nervous system. Calm the nerves. Dose: 1 teaspoon per cup of boiled water up to 3 per day. Combine or drink as individual teas. Always choose organic chemical free kinds.
– Passionflower
– Lavender flower
– Chamomile flower
– St Johns wort
– Skullcap
– Lemon balm
– Linden flower
– Rosemary leaf
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3. Black & Green tea
Another good reason to enjoy your English breakfast or Earl grey tea. A constituent in Tea (Camellia sinensis) called L-theanine helps reduce the physical reaction to stress. It has the ability to relax the mind without causing drowsiness. Choose organic kinds.
4. Essential oils
Rose, neroli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, bergamot, chamomile, geranium, jasmine and lavender calm the nerves. Diffuse in an oil burner or place a few drops on a hankie and sniff. Choose organic kinds and make sure they are not chemically made “fragrant oils”.
5. Vitamins & Minerals
– Vitamin Bs – B6 (Pyridoxine), B1 (Thiamine), and B3 (Niacinamide) are commonly prescribed vitamin supplements for anxiety.
– Vitamin C – Plays a pivotal role in the proper functioning of brain chemistry and adrenal glands.
– Magnesium – Used by many practitioners as the “chill pill”. It acts as a muscle and nerve relaxant.
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