Natural Remedies for Panic Attacks
Below is a compiled list of herbal remedies for Panic or Anxiety disorders and related illness. Many people have found success using alternative medications for their panic disorder. Please consult your doctor before trying any of the natural medications below.
St Johns Wort | Kava Kava | Passion Flower | Valerian Root
St John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort has been used for many centuries for the treatment of mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, nerve pain and many other conditions. It has also been used as a topical agent, for skin conditions, burns, nerve and muscle pain. Studies conducted in Germany found that St. John’s Wort reduced the feelings of anxiety, depression, and worthlessness. The most common side effects of St. John’s wort include, fatigue, upset stomach, dizziness, dry mouth, and increased sensitivity to sunlight.
Not enough research has been conducted to prove the safety of St John’s Wort in women who are pregnant and breastfeeding. St. John’s Wort can also potentially interact with many other medications, herbs and supplements and may not be recommended in certain cases.
Always discuss natural treatments for anxiety or related disorders with your doctor before administering.
Kava Kava
In recent clinical studies, it has been shown that the herb Kava Kava is a safe, nonaddictive, anti-anxiety medicine. It has shown that Kava’s ability to relieve anxiety was very promising compared to other anti anxiety medications or placebo. It is as effective as prescription anxiety agents containing benzodiazepines such as Ativan or Valium
While benzodiazepines can be quite effective, they come with a risk of the patient becoming physically dependent if taken for a long duration. They also come with a long list of possible side effects.
Benzodiazepine Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Drowsiness
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Trembling
- Blurred Vision
- Impaired Coordination
- Amnesia
- Chest Pain
- Irregular heart rate
Kava Kava on the other hand has been clinically demonstrated to show a successful means of achieving a state of relaxation without the adverse side effects. It has actually been shown to improve memory, concentration, and reaction time in people who suffer with anxiety. Only in high doses can Kava cause intoxication and sedation, much like alcohol.
Potential Side Effects of Kava:
Possible side effects include upset stomach or indigestion, headache, drowsiness and visual disturbances. Habitual or heavy use of Kava has been linked to pulmonary hypertension and skin abnormalities such as scaling, kidney damage,and blood abnormalities.
Kava should not be used by people with bleeding disorders as it can interfere with blood clotting. On the other hand it can lower blood pressure.
Kava should not be used by those who have Parkinson’s disease as it can make symptoms worse.
Kava should not be taken up to two weeks prior to surgery. Pregnant and nursing women, children, and people with liver or kidney disease shouldn’t use Kava, as not enough data has been formulated to prove its safety.
Always discuss natural treatments for anxiety or related disorders with your doctor before administering.
Passion Flower
The herb passionflower is effective in reducing anxiety, panic and tension when combined with a natural sedative like Valerian. Multiple studies were performed examining the effectiveness of passionflower for anxiety, and results from these studies found passionflower to be comparable to prescribed anti anxiety medications such as an benzodiazepine.
Patients also reported an increase in job performance and less drowsiness while taking passion flower.
Side effects of passion flower may include drowsiness, so do not use alongside other sedatives. Nausea and rarely rapid heartbeat were reported. The safety of passion flower in pregnant or nursing women, or people with kidney or liver disease has not been established.
Always discuss natural treatments for anxiety or related disorders with your doctor before administering.
Valerian Root
Valerian root is used as an aid for muscle tension, sleep disorders, restlessness and anxiety. Many people have found that it takes a period of several weeks before it takes effect, while others reported an immediate response. Valerian root is considered a sedative and the main current use is as a remedy for insomnia and more recently anxiety.
While it has proven to be effective in reducing anxiety, studies reported that it can cause irritability or agitation, migraines and nightmares in certain individuals. A theory supposes that this could be due to the fact that some people lack the ability to properly and effectively break down Valerian.
Valerian is often recommended as an alternative medication when discontinuing benzodiazepine.
Very few side effects have been reported. Chronic uses or large doses may result in upset stomach or mild depression. Valerian is considered a sedative, so it may cause dizziness and should be taken with caution before operating a motor vehicle. Headaches, nightmares or night terrors have also been reported. Overall, Valerian is generally deemed as a safe and effective treatment for the above listed disorders.
Always discuss natural treatments for anxiety or related disorders with your doctor before administering.
