4 Herbs for Anxiety

In ten years, I've yet to see a person suffering from gut issues that is not also anxious.

Anxious about their work, their health, their finances, their children, their parents, their love life, the planet, their purpose... the list goes on and on.

And now with the additional challenges the pandemic has brought - it's intense. Everyone is experiencing some level of anxiety.

So last week we talked about GABA and it's friend taurine, and how that is a good aid for reducing anxiety (but not if it comes from alcohol).

Today, I'm going to introduce to you four well-researched herbs that can help too:

• Valerian acts on the brain's GABA receptors, enhancing their activity! So it helps to reduce restlessness, nervousness, insomnia and hysteria, and calms a nervous stomach. This herb should not be taken with alcohol or several prescription drugs, so check in with your health care professionals first. (Recommended 50-100mg, 2x/day)
• Kava kava root acts directly on muscles and the limbic system so it relaxes both muscles and emotions, reduces exessive mental chatter and increases mental focus. In a six month study by Dr. HP Volz in Germany, it proved as effective as the leading tranquilizer!  (Recommended 60-75 mg of kavalactones 2-3x/day)

• Hops acts directly on the central nervous system and thus calms nerves (Recommended: 200mg/day)
• Passionflower is mildly sedative and promotes sleep and calms hyperactivity. Both hops and passionflower work best when combined with other heavy-hitters, like kava and valerian. (Recommended 100-200mg/day)

If you're struggling everyday with anxiety, please give these herbs a try. You'll need something stronger than a tea, so opt for a tincture or supplement form - stay away from tablets though.

Next week we'll look at some important nutrients to focus on, as well as lesser known causes of anxiety, like copper and histamine imbalances.

Until then, take this <big hug> and <elbow bump> from me to you, and may you be at ease today.

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