Natural anxiety cures?

[TJ4921]

I don't want to get hook on benzos or anti-depressants. What can I try that is natural and also not just some gimmick some site wants to sell to make money?

[Paxiled]

Treating anything chronic with natural remedies is complicated.  It's not a simple as going to the doctor and getting a prescription for something the doctor knows nothing about but is on his dosing chart, and it doesn't just treat symptoms, it aims to cure.  For a good look at the universe of what's out there, read Natural Highs by Hyla Cass, a psychiatrist at UCLA.  It has a pretty thorough list of the most common remedies for depression and anxiety and dosage instructions.  But to do it in the most complete way, you might want to see a naturopath or holistic nutritionist or herbalist.  Diet, exercise, meditation, visualization, acupuncture, etc. are also used; it's not just things you take.  An example of a program of supplements would go something like this:  relaxants, such as kava, passionflower, valerian, hops, and dozens more in some combination; adaptogens to strengthen the adrenals, such as eleuthero and ashwagandha; perhaps a liver and/or colon cleanse and fasting to clear the system; in Chinese medicine, since the kidneys are associated with anxiety, they would work on the kidneys with herbs and acupuncture, in ayurvedic medicine they would also do cleansing and then support for the adrenals and the liver.  There are many different traditions; then, 5htp, an amino acid that produces serotonin in the body, taurine, which produces GABA in the body; tyrosine, which produces serotonin and norepinephrine in the body; perhaps glycine, which produces glutamate in the body.  You see, it's complex, because your body is complex, and different organs are interconnected.  Does it work?  Who knows?  It works for some, not for others, just like medication and therapy.  There are no guarantees out there.  But it will teach you more about yourself than just taking a magic pill that isn't so magical, but if that's what you need, labeling medication as addictive isn't constructive.  Water and food are also addictive, but you probably use them every day.  I think it's good to start with therapy, then natural medicine, then if that doesn't work, medication.  You go from gentlest and least side effects to most until you find what you need.  Good luck.  May your journey be more successful than mine has been.

[Jennifer1987]

Omega 3 fish oil is good to i think, gt the pure EPA ones and also white chestnut drops are good too.......

[cnote]

I want to start off by asking a question. You say you don't want to get "hooked" on a benzo or anti-depressant.

I don't wanna get "hooked" either... but I take them. But I am not hooked. I think what you meant to say was, I'm scared to take benzos and or anti-depressents because of their side-effects.

But, if you have an addicted personality... then the benzos might not be a good choice for you.

I don't have that problem. And I only take mine when needed.

There are natural herbs and supplements out there... but everyone is different... some people get great responses from them... others get nothing... and so therefor they need to be on an actual anti-depressant or a benzo.... like myself. lol.

Good luck.

[fltricia]

Vistaril is what I take some times for anxiety....it is non habit forming.  It will knock you out the first time you take it.  I sleep from 12 to 9 on it...so I have to be careful that I don't have to wake up early the next day.

[nora006]

There are people on this site that are far more knowledgeable than me regarding natural remedies and how they work specifically for either anxiety or depression or a combination but I can give you some ideas:

Natural sources/herbs:

Valerian(Valeriana officinalis)
Passion-flower
St.Johns wort
Relora Max(Magnolia officinalis)


There are synthetic drugs that are mildly anxiolytic(but often quite sedative as well) known to be "non-habituating" such as:
-Vallergan
-Phenergan
-Atarax


With regards,
Nora