Passionflower
The herb passionflower (Passiflora
incarnata) has been used as a folk remedy for anxiousness and also sleeping
disorders. Two studies involving a total of 198 individuals examined the
efficiency of passionflower for anxiety. One study observed passionflower to
be comparable to benzodiazepine medication. They also found increase in job
performance with passionflower and less drowsiness compared with the
medication mexazolam, nevertheless, neither was statistically significant.
Side effects of passionflower may
possibly include rapid heartbeat, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Be aware
that the safety of passionflower when it is used by pregnant or nursing women,
kids, or people who have kidney or liver disease has not been proven. There
have been 5 case reports regarding users getting temporarily impaired mentally
after using a blend product that contains passionflower. It is not known if
the additional ingredients in the actual supplement played a role.
Passionflower shouldn't be taken
together with sedatives unless you are under medical supervision.
Passionflower may boost the effect of pentobarbital, a medicine used for sleep
and seizure ailments.
Valerian
The herb valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
is best known as a natural remedy for sleeplessness. Valerian can also be used
by patients with moderate anxiousness, however the research supporting its use
for anxiousness is limited.
As an example, researchers with the
Cochrane Collaboration evaluated studies on valerian for anxiety. Only one
study met their particular quality criteria. It was a four-week study
comparing valerian, diazepam (Valium), plus placebo in 36 individuals with
generalized anxiety disorder. No statistically signficant variations were
found between the groups, possibly because of the small size of the study.
Valerian is normally taken 1 hour ahead
of bedtime. It requires about 2 to 3 weeks in order to work and should not be
used for longer than three months at a time. Side effects of valerian may
include palpitations, headache, dizziness, and mild indigestion.
Even though valerian tea and liquid
extracts can be purchased, most people don't like the particular odor of
valerian and favor using the capsule form. Valerian should not be taken with a
lot of medications, particularly those that depress the central nervous
system, for example sedatives and antihistamines. It should not be consumed
together with alcohol, prior to or right after surgery, or by individuals with
liver disease. Furthermore, It shouldn't be used before driving or operating
machinery. Consultation with a qualified medical professional is advised.
Kava
Native to Polynesia, the herb kava
(Piper methysticum) has been observed to possess anti-anxiety effects in
humans. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on the other
hand, has issued an advisory to consumers regarding the possible risk of
serious liver injury resulting from using dietary supplements that contain
kava. As of yet, there have been more than 25 reports of severe unfavorable
effects from kava used in other countries, including 4 patients who needed
liver transplants.
Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
GABA is an amino acid that is seen to
play a part in the physiology of anxiousness. Some prescription medications
for anxiety work by affecting GABA receptors within the brain. The degree to
which orally consumed GABA supplements will be able to reach the brain,
unknown.
As you can see, not all natural remedies
are safe, especially for anxiety. However, if we start to list the possible
side-effects as well as risks for severe complications while taking regular,
syntetic drugs, we will find the same.