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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- Nutrition Journal: Nutritional and Herbal Supplements for Anxiety and Anxiety-Related Disorders - Systematic Review
- Nutrition Journal: Nutritional and Herbal Supplements for Anxiety and Anxiety-Related Disorders - Systematic Review
- European Neuropsychopharmacology: Herbal Medicine for Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia - A Review of Psychopharmacology and Clinical Evidence
- European Neuropsychopharmacology: Herbal Medicine for Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia - A Review of Psychopharmacology and Clinical Evidence
- Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology: Kava in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder - A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
- Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology: Kava in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder - A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Are You Consuming Too Much Caffeine?
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
The Best Herbs for Anxiety & Depression
Anxiety disorders are common in the United States. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports approximately 40 million American adults have an anxiety disorder, and approximately one-half of those diagnosed with depression also have an anxiety disorder 1. Some people prefer not to take medications, while others experience side effects and turn to herbs for relief. You should not take herbs for depression or anxiety without consulting your doctor.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
"Best" is a Slippery Concept
Herbs are a time-honored method or dealing with a variety of medical problems. Research in this area lags behind that of conventional medications, however. Most herbal preparations are investigated alone or in comparison to placebo rather than in head-to-head trials, which makes it difficult to determine the best choice from several different alternatives. In addition, people respond differently to both herbs and conventional medicines, so what’s best for one person might not be helpful for another. But two herbs that do seem to have good scientific evidence are kava for anxiety and hypericum for depression.
- Herbs are a time-honored method or dealing with a variety of medical problems.
- In addition, people respond differently to both herbs and conventional medicines, so what’s best for one person might not be helpful for another.
Settling Down
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Kava, a plant-based medicine derived from Piper methysticum, was effective in treating generalized anxiety in a study reported in the October 2013 “Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.” Participants were given a six-week trial of kava extract or placebo, and their anxiety was measured with a standardized scale 5. Twenty-six percent of the kava group had a significant reduction in anxiety, compared with only 6 percent of the placebo group. The kava group reported more headaches but no other adverse reactions.
Cheering Up
St. John’s wort, derived from the flowers of the perennial shrub Hypericum perforatum, is effective for treating mild to moderate depression, according to an October 2010 article in “Nutrition Journal." A December 2011 article in “European Neuropsychopharmacology” reported a high level of evidence to support the use of St. John’s wort in treating major depression 4. The article’s authors reviewed multiple research studies on the use of a variety of herbal medications for depression, anxiety and insomnia.
Other Strategies
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In your quest to help manage anxiety and depression, don’t overlook the basics, especially when it comes to nutrition. For example, a 2010 article on the PsychCentral website reports that nutrients such as amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins C and E and folate may have the potential to help alleviate symptoms and severity of depression. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics notes caffeine, especially in high doses, can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety, so you might begin your anxiety-management program by slowly tapering your caffeine until you can eliminate it without hardship.
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References
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America: Facts & Statistics
- PsychCentral: Natural and Herbal Supplements for Common Mental Disorders
- Nutrition Journal: Nutritional and Herbal Supplements for Anxiety and Anxiety-Related Disorders - Systematic Review
- European Neuropsychopharmacology: Herbal Medicine for Depression, Anxiety and Insomnia - A Review of Psychopharmacology and Clinical Evidence
- Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology: Kava in the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder - A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
- Shinomiya K, Inoue T, Utsu Y, et al. Effects of kava-kava extract on the sleep-wake cycle in sleep-disturbed rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2005;180(3):564-9. doi:10.1007/s00213-005-2196-4
- Lehrl S. Clinical efficacy of kava extract WS 1490 in sleep disturbances associated with anxiety disorders. Results of a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. J Affect Disord. 2004;78(2):101-10. doi:10.1016/s0165-0327(02)00238-0
- Wheatley D. Kava and valerian in the treatment of stress-induced insomnia. Phytother Res. 2001;15(6):549-51. doi:10.1002/ptr.840
- National Institutes of Health. "Kava: MedlinePlus Supplements." May 2014.
- Wheatley D. Stress-induced insomnia treated with kava and valerian: singly and in combination. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2001;16(4):353-356. doi:10.1002/hup.299
Writer Bio
Beth Greenwood is an RN and has been a writer since 2010. She specializes in medical and health topics, as well as career articles about health care professions. Greenwood holds an Associate of Science in nursing from Shasta College.