Ever wondered what would help you overcome apprehension and worry without resorting to prescribed medications? A new way of handling life stresses is using herbal anxiety medication.
While prescription medications have been proven to be effective for managing anxiety disorders, most, if not all, have untoward and unavoidable side effects. These side effects may include nausea, jitteriness, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction. The most serious side-effect would be the development of habit or dependence on the prescription medications. Herbal medications (those that are backed by scientific research and approved by the FDA) are a safe alternative to treating anxiety problems. A person intending to use an herbal anxiety medication must know the right dosage and proper way of administration.
One such herbal remedy for anxiety is Theanine (5-N-ethyl-glutamine). It is an amino acid derivative that is commonly found in tea, green tea in particular and also in the the basidiomycete mushroom. It was first discovered in Japan in 1964 and is widely-used in that country since then. Theanine is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and has been proven to have psychoactive properties such as reducing mental and physical stress. It is also known to improve cognition (helps to focus and concentrate) and mood when taken with caffeine. The recommened dose is 50 to 200 milligrams per day. The effects of theanine set in 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingestion and the effect lasts from 8 to 12 hours. It has no known adverse effect even after long-term usage. There are many products (anti-anxiety as well as food supplements) in the market claiming to have L-theanine but actually only contain very minimal amounts. Consumers should check the labels for the exact contents.
Another herbal anxiety medication is the extract from the perennial flowering plant Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). The extract is prepared through maceration and dehydration and packaged into capsules that are used for its sedative and anxiety-reducing effects. It is also used to treat sleeping disorders and restlessness. People who have used the supplement report that it produces feelings of calmness and decreases nervous tension and stress. The recommended dose ranges from 2 to 10 milligrams per day. This herb extract is non-toxic but large doses may cause side effects such as stomach ache, apathy, dizziness or drowsiness, mental dullness and depression in large excessive doses. There are no long-term safety studies.
Herbal anxiety medication is a viable alternative towards achieving over-all physical and mental health. However, many herbal products in the market have not been thoroughly tested. As with all medications and supplements, ensuring that products are safe as well as effective is necessary and should be used with the supervision of qualified healthcare professionals.
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