Top 10 Herbs for Driving Anxiety

1). Cannabidiol (CBD)
Cannabis plants contain many different chemical compounds. Cannabidiol (CBD) is one that’s gotten a lot of attention in the last few years. That’s because it’s shown promise in treating many different kinds of health issues, from chronic pain to mental health disorders.

The compound most associated with cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis that “gets you high.” Compared to THC, CBD has no intoxicating effects, yet offers many health benefits.

Look for full or broad-spectrum when shopping for CBD. This is because broad-spectrum CBD contains the most cannabinoids. More cannabinoids equals more health benefits. Also, try to buy lab-tested, USA produced CBD. This helps to ensure high quality, and to make sure your CBD product contains no more than 0.3% THC.

2). Ashwagandha
Studies have shown ashwagandha is as effective as lorazepam at treating anxiety symptoms. Ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs in Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is an ancient form of healing that started in India over 3,000 years ago. Ayurveda uses thousands of different plants to treat a wide variety of conditions. Ashwagandha is made from the fruit and roots of an evergreen shrub that grows in parts of Africa, India, and the Middle East.

3). Chamomile
Chamomile is made from the flowers of the Asteraceae plant family. It’s usually consumed as a tea. It has antioxidants that bind to the receptors in your brain responsible for stress & anxiety. Chamomile is also an effective herb for sleep. Difficulty sleeping is linked with both depression and anxiety. People have used chamomile for centuries to reduce anxiety and promote healthy sleep.

4). Valerian Root
Often referred to as “nature’s Valium,” Valerian has been used medicinally for at least 2,000 years. It’s often used for sleep, but research suggests it helps you relax and stay calm under stressful conditions.

Valerian promotes calmness by reducing the breakdown of GABA in your brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter that calms your nervous system.

5). Lavender
Lavender has been used for hundreds of years to treat anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia. It’s one of the most common medicinal herbs. Lavender is great for relieving general nervous tension.

A study in 2010 found that lavender was as effective as Lorazepam for the treatment of anxiety. One advantage of lavender is that it lacks the negative side effects of benzodiazepine meds like Lorazepam.

You can take it in liquid or capsule form. You can also use it in an essential oil diffuser as a form of aromatherapy.

6). Passionflower
Spanish explorers in the 16th century believed the passionflower symbolized Christ’s passion. It’s been used for centuries to relieve tension and insomnia.

It’s great for calming your nervous system because passionflower has a lot of antioxidant compounds that have a relaxing effect.

Passionflower is also widely used as a flavoring in food and beverages.

7). Kava Kava
Kava Kava is a South American plant root that gives relief from stress, anxiety, and insomnia. The active chemicals in Kava Kava are called kavalactones. They ease symptoms of anxiety without giving you brain fog. They have a similar effect on the brain as antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications.

Kava Kava is useful for calming your nerves without sacrificing mental clarity. It also has few if any side effects. You can take it as a tincture, capsules, or you can make kava root tea.

8). St. John’s Wort
This herb has long been thought to have medicinal qualities for the treatment of depression and anxiety. The active ingredient that gives St. John’s Wort its effectiveness is called hypericin. Hyperforin and flavonoids found in this plant may also play a role in overcoming mood disorders.

This herb for driving anxiety may have dangerous side effects when mixed with certain prescription drugs. Make sure to discuss your use of St. John’s Wort beforehand with a health care provider.

9). Lemon Balm
Lemon balm relieves symptoms of restlessness, sleep disorders, and anxiety. It’s used to make medicine, commonly multi-herb combination products. It’s from the mint family of plants. It’s also widely used as a flavoring in the food and beverage industry.

Lemon balm has cleansing, calming effect on the nerves. It acts as a detoxifying agent that promotes calm and alertness. It’s commonly taken as capsules or as a tincture.

10). Magnesium
Magnesium is involved in hundreds of chemical reactions throughout your body. These range from muscle movements to the regulation of your nervous system.

Studies have show that magnesium decreases depression and anxiety in those who take it regularly. Some experts even believe the low magnesium content in our modern food supply is responsible for the skyrocketing number of cases of depression and other mental illnesses.