These days, most people live a fast life, full of obligations, tasks, and responsibilities. Along with all that, comes the mental stress and anxiety.
More than 70% of Americans take some sort of medication just to get through the day and lower the anxiousness. As a direct cause of stress, 25% of Americans will develop serious mental disorders and very fast they will start taking anti-depressants, such as benzodiazepines.
But what about the side effects provoked by those anti-depressants? Mood swings, drowsiness, hallucinations, and in the worst case suicidal thoughts are common in those who use anti-depressants. We can also add side effects such as memory issues, slurred speech, and loss of balance.
If you want to stay away from all the mentioned side effects and avoid the toxic build up that comes in time, follow some of these natural remedies which work better than drugs when it comes to anxiety.
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PASSION FLOWER
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, passionflower has a lot in common with some of the benzodiazepine medications.
In a study, they’ve compared the passionflower with oxazepam and the results have shown that both passionflower and oxazepam are equally effective. The oxazepam worked more quickly, but side effects like drowsiness were fewer with passionflower.
LEMON BALM
It has anti-anxiety powers on its own, although usually can be found in combination with other herbs. According to a research made in 2004, a higher dose of lemon balm extract reduces stress and raises calmness.
CHAMOMILE
Generally speaking, short-term use of chamomile is safe and it can be effective in reducing symptoms of anxiety. Some people who are sensitive to daisies, chrysanthemums, ragweed, marigolds, including chamomile as part of that family, can suffer from an allergic reaction.
You can easily relax with a cup of chamomile tea because many chamomile compounds are able to bind to the same brain receptors in the way Valium can. It is highly recommended to take chamomile supplements and according to a study, these supplements are a lot more effective than taking a placebo.
LAVENDER
Studies and practice have shown that the enjoyable aroma of lavender can lower the anxiety level. In one study, students inhaled lavender oil before the start of their exam. The results showed that they had less anxiety.
According to a German research, a specially formulated lavender pill helped in the reduction of anxiety symptoms in people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder as effectively as lorazepam.