Are Herbal Remedies for Anxiety Effective?

If you have been struggling with anxiety, you may have considered herbal remedies like Valerian, Lavender, or St John’s Wort. Indeed, the long waitlists for therapy or the cost of therapy and traditional medical treatment may make the prospect of herbal remedies very attractive. After all, you can easily buy them from a health store and they are all-natural right? Yes that is true but are herbal remedies for anxiety actually effective? Read on as we discuss some pros and cons of herbal remedies for stress and anxiety.

How do herbal remedies work for anxiety?

Long before the advent of modern medicine, herbal remedies have been used to treat a range of physical and mental health conditions. For anxiety, many herbs (e.g Valerian, Lavender) have been prized for their ability to help reduce anxiety. Before we get into questions like “what is a good herbal remedy for anxiety?”, let’s discuss how they might work. Due to the fact that causes of anxiety remain a debated topic and also because herbal remedies are typically not standardised in the same way as pharmacological drugs, the evidence base on the mechanisms of action of anti anxiety herbal medication remains unclear. However, as a general overview, here are some ways that herbal remedies may affect neural pathways that are involved in anxiety and stress:

• Promoting the activity of a type of chemical (GABA neurotransmitter) that has been linked to reducing anxiety
• Acting on pathways involved in regulating mood and worry
• Easing stress and restlessness by providing a mildly sedative effect to help calm down the physiological impact of anxiety

In light of this, there has been more and more research emerging to help us understand how exactly herbal stress relievers (and various medications for anxiety) work.

The most common herbs for treating anxiety

So what herbal medication is good for anxiety? Let’s go through some common herbs that you may have heard of or been suggested as options for supporting recovery from anxiety.

What does scientific research say?

So what is the best herbal remedy for stress and anxiety? As mentioned, overall the scientific research on herbal remedies is mixed. Some studies suggest that herbs like lavender, chamomile, and kava have potential in reducing symptoms of anxiety; however more research is needed before we can be confident in these claims. The studies on these herbal remedies are often limited by inconsistent results and the lack of standardisation in the form of herbal remedies. Most clinical guidelines followed in modern medical practice suggest that herbal remedies as standalone treatment is not recommended but herbal remedies may have a role in supporting other treatment. However, it is emphasized that medical monitoring is still important with herbal remedies as they can have significant interactions with certain foods and medications. If you are considering a herbal remedy to manage your anxiety, it is advised that you consult your healthcare provider first.

Benefits of herbal remedies

There are many benefits to anti anxiety herbal medications. Firstly, they are typically quite easy to find. You can go into a pharmacy, health store, or even a supermarket and find a herbal remedy. They do not require a prescription to purchase so many people consider herbal remedies to be a good first option for home treatment in the case of mild anxiety. 

Additionally, some people feel that herbal remedies align more with personal preferences. Thus similarly the question of “what herbal remedy is good for anxiety?” is also a highly individual one. For example, treatment that is not traditionally pharmacological or using herbal remedies to support lifestyle changes like sleep hygiene to improve sleep quality and stress management.

Risks and side effects

Despite herbal remedies being natural and not being traditionally pharmacological treatment options, they still come with risks and side effects. For example:

• Drug interactions: This is a major risk to consider. Many herbal remedies can interact with other medications. Notably, St John’s Wort can interact with other common medications and cause harmful side effects or reduce the effectiveness of the other treatment. 

• Alcohol interactions: It is important to remember that just because a herbal remedy is natural (like a plant or vegetable), this does not mean that it cannot interact with substances like alcohol. Many herbal remedies for anxiety can interact with alcohol to make you feel very drowsy. For your own safety and for the safety of others, make sure to read the warning label carefully and see how the herbal remedy affects you before driving or operating heavy machinery.

• Side effects: Some potential side effects associated with commonly used herbal remedies for anxiety include headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, or liver problems.

• Vulnerable groups: Although they are natural, herbal remedies may not be suitable for more vulnerable groups including pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people with a pre-existing medical condition (e.g liver or kidney problems). If any of this applies to you, please consult a medical professional before starting any herbal remedy for anxiety treatment.

Dangers of self-medication and incorrect dosage.

While herbal remedies can be tried for mild anxiety, there are some notable risks to home treatment with herbal remedies. Trying treatment at home for anxiety might delay someone from seeking medical and psychological help. Anxiety is not a light matter and can significantly affect someone’s life. Please do not delay in seeking professional help, especially if you feel that the anxiety is affecting your quality of life. 

Furthermore, when people self-medicate with herbal remedies, it is fairly common for people to combine multiple herbal supplements. This may not be safe especially as studies have shown there can be side effects such as excessive drowsiness which can increase your risk of accidents, especially if you drive. If you are taking herbal remedies for anxiety, make sure you are taking the recommended dosage and making note of any side effects that you might experience.

Who is suitable for herbal remedies and who is not

Overall, the evidence for herbal remedies in the treatment of anxiety is mixed. It is best to consider on an individual case by case basis the risks and potential benefits of trying a herbal remedy. This discussion is best had with a healthcare professional however here is a table as a general guide:

How to use herbs for anxiety correctly

If you want to use herbal remedies for anxiety, here are some tips you can follow to help make the process as safe and effective as possible:

• Check that the herbal remedy is safe for you. You could speak to a pharmacist about using the herbal remedy, make sure to inform them of any medication (or other herbal remedies) you are taking and any pre-existing health conditions you might have. 
• Once you have checked there are no interactions or contraindications, you can purchase the herbal remedy from a reputable store. Ideally, look for products that are registered and regulated to ensure they meet quality standards.
• Read the information sheet carefully and start on the lowest recommended dose/frequency.
• Assess for any side effects experienced or any improvements in symptoms.
• Try to avoid alcohol and avoid combining several herbal remedies together as it can make you very drowsy. 

When to consult a specialist.

Hopefully if you were wondering what herbal supplements help with anxiety, this article has given you a better understanding of the current scientific evidence and clinical guidelines on the situation. Overall, if you are an adult with no other health concerns suffering from mild anxiety, you can consider trying herbal remedies for anxiety. However, if you notice any of the below, it is best to seek professional medical and psychological help. Anxiety can be a serious condition, specialists can often help by prescribing anxiety depression medication and you shouldn’t feel like you have to resolve it on your own.

Consult a healthcare professional if any of the following apply:

• you have thoughts of self harm or ending your life
• if your symptoms of anxiety persist for more than a few weeks or get worse
• if your symptoms start to affect your quality of life, work/school, or interpersonal relationships
• if you experience severe agitation/restlessness
• if you experience panic attacks
• if you have any other health condition including anything from pregnancy to liver problems