The Most Effective Herbs for Anxiety

Anxiety is a completely natural human feeling. However, some individuals suffer from constant and severe anxiety, which affects their personal and professional life. Persistent, overwhelming anxiety and constant irrational fears are some of the common symptoms of anxiety disorders.

There are many treatments available for anxiety sufferers, such as medical, therapeutic, and herbal. Among all the different types of anxiety remedies, herbal remedies for anxiety have shown the most promise and offer relief with fewer side effects. There are many natural herbs for anxiety available, such as chamomile, passionflower, and St. John’s wart that can help you effectively deal with anxiety.

Here’s a look at the top 5 most effective herbs for anxiety that can provide you with relief from your anxiety symptoms.

Chamomile sits at the top of the list of herbs for anxiety. You can consume chamomile as a tea or capsule. Chamomile tea is a sweet drink that provides reduces anxiety symptoms, soothes an upset stomach, and relaxes tense muscles.

Passionflower -- Another natural herb that is ranked high in the list of herbs for anxiety is passionflower. Passionflower, like other herbs, is available in extracts, dry herbs, tea, and tinctures. Passionflower not only relieves anxiety, but also has been found useful in the treatment of insomnia.

St. John’s Wart is recognized by herbalists as one of the most effective herbs for anxiety. Besides effectively treating anxiety, St. John’s wart can also provide relief from depression and menopausal problems.

Withania(Indian ginseng) has been used for years to relive anxiety, tension, improve memory, calm the nerves, and restore vitality. Boil a gram of Withania roots in a cup of water and drink the solution daily to enjoy the multiple health benefits that this natural herb offers.

Kava Kava -- The roots of the kava plant contain kavalactones, which in turn possess anti-anxiety properties. People in the Pacific Ocean region have been using kava roots for centuries as a sedative.

It is best to consume kava roots by soaking them in water or milk. When preparing a kava solution, do not use hot water, milk, or any other liquid, as heat kills kavalactones. Kava supplements are also available in the market, but you should avoid using them. Kava supplements are not as effective as a kava solution, and some studies suggest that extensive use of kava supplements may cause damage to the liver.

Things to keep in mind when using herbal remedies for anxiety
While all the herbs for anxiety mentioned above offer you relief from anxiety symptoms, there are certain things you need to keep in mind while using them:

• Herbal remedies for anxiety should never be consumed with alcohol.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use herbs for anxiety treatment without consulting their doctor.
• People who are taking medication for another preexisting condition should use herbs only under medical supervision.
• People with a weak liver or a history of liver disease should not use the above mentioned herbs for anxiety treatment without consulting their doctor.
• Some of the above mentioned herbs may show some side effects in certain people. If you find that a herbal treatment is not suiting you, you must immediately stop using it.

We recommend that you keep the above points in mind when using herbs for anxiety treatment. Also, give yourself 3-4 weeks’ time, as some of the herbs discussed above may take some time to show results.

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Benefits of Using EFT to Overcome Anxiety

Did you know that approximately 13.3% of the American population in the age group of 18 to 54 years suffers from anxiety in any given year? Anxiety is characterized by an intense feeling of panic and unrest. There are several forms of anxiety disorders, and the most common one of them is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Restlessness and feeling keyed up or on edge, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, irritability, being easily startled, insomnia, muscle tension and nausea are all symptoms of GAD. It could sometimes be accompanied by an eating disorder as well.

Many therapists are using EFT to overcome anxiety, particularly GAD. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a recent therapy that combines the ancient technique of acupuncture with psychotherapy. EFT works on the premise that the energy flowing through the body can be channelized and used to heal emotional problems. The human body has electrical energy flowing through it. This energy flows along meridians.

In EFT, the acupuncture points are tapped while keeping the issue that is causing the disruption in mind. The basic premise here is that the tapping stops the disruption in the energy flow. When this is done while keeping the issue in mind, our emotions are not affected by the same issue when it happens again because the energy is channelized.

EFT to Overcome Anxiety: How Is It Better than Other Treatments? Using EFT to overcome anxiety is highly beneficial to the patient. Anxiety is often a belittling ailment, and can cause severe disruptions in daily life and in the social functioning of a person. Traditional talk therapy has been used for years to identify the root cause of anxiety. This helps the patient to better deal with the problem. However, patients often develop a dependence on the therapist. Using EFT to overcome anxiety has many benefits over traditional therapies:

• Patient dependence: A patient who learns EFT to overcome anxiety is more independent. The technique teaches the individual to deal with situations on his own. The EFT methodology is essentially developed to make the patient self reliant.
• No medication involved: Anti-anxiety medication is addictive and results in the client becoming dependant on the medication. This is a situation that might lead to other psychological problems and physical side effects. Also, medication alone is not enough to overcome anxiety, psychotherapy is essential.
• Assistance with other stressors: EFT to overcome anxiety also equips the client to deal with things such as panic attacks and stress. EFT is a very good technique to release the stress caused by anxiety.
• Physiological symptoms: EFT to overcome anxiety helps an individual to alleviate the physiological symptoms like insomnia and fatigue.

Using EFT to overcome anxiety is a completely natural process, and has no side effects. This technique uses the energy already present within the body to heal an ailment. Not only is it used to help with anxiety and panic, it also has uses in handling other problems, such as depression, eating disorders, anger management, stress and panic attacks, to name a few.

Five Effective Natural Ways for Acne Scar Treatment

Did you know that nearly 80% of the world’s population suffers from acne in their teens and early to mid twenties? Acne, or pimples as they are also known, is basically the blocking up of the open pores of the skin. Natural oil secretions of the skin accumulate in the pores, and make for ideal breeding grounds for bacteria, which in turn leads to infections. Acne usually occurs during adolescence and carries on until adulthood, but in some cases, people suffer from the affliction till their thirties or even forties. To understand acne scar treatment, one first needs to understand the different types of acne: mild, moderately severe and severe acne.

Mild acne usually includes the whiteheads and blackheads that people get from time to time. Moderately severe acne is when there are red, inflamed pimples, know as papules, and red pimples that have white centres, called pustules. Severe acne is when nodules form. These are pus-filled lumps or cysts that are often painful and appear under the skin. You can try any of these natural remedies for acne to get rid of acne.

Acne Scar Treatment: Five Effective Natural Methods
Acne scar treatment is a process that might require a lot of patience. Natural remedies are available and are effective in that they do not have any side effects, unlike medication and laser treatments. Our skin is affected to a large degree by our diet, and a little change in our food habits can work wonders for the skin. Acne scar treatment can be accomplished through natural remedies and dietary changes, such as:

1. Drink plenty of water: Water is an important part of our diet. The secret to healthy skin is drinking a lot of water. Water helps to detoxify the skin, which in turn speeds up the process of shedding dead skin cells and scar tissue.
2. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are natural sources of anti oxidants, which assist in keeping the skin healthy and preventing scarring.
3. Rosehip Seed Oil: Rosehip seed oil has been known to help in reducing scars. It has been used in commercial cosmetics for its anti-aging and anti-wrinkle properties. The oil should be applied in small quantities, twice daily, on the scars. Acne scar treatment using Rosehip Seed Oil is a slightly slow process, and patience needs to be exercised to see results.
4. Aloe Vera gel: Aloe Vera gel is an extremely effective acne scar treatment. Aloe Vera has been used over the years for skin burns and scars. Its effects are strongest when applied in gel form directly on the affected skin.
5. Home Remedies: Some home remedies can also be used for acne scar treatment. Lemon juice applied directly on scars, a paste of sandal wood mixed with rosewater, tomato slices on the affected area are just some natural acne scar treatment methods that work.

Natural acne scar treatment might not yield immediate results that dermatological and surgical methods might yield, but they are safer and, in the long run, healthier. You can even prevent future acne breakouts via natural remedies that are both safe and effective.

Causes and Natural Treatments of Night Sweats After Menopause

One of the symptoms of menopause that is very similar to hot flashes is night sweats. Night sweats after menopause is experienced by nearly 75% of all menopausal women. Medically, night sweats are known as sleep hyperhidrosis and are episodes of sweating during the night that can range from mild to severe.

One of the more irritating symptoms that occurs with the onset of menopause is that one wakes up in the middle of the night, sweating profusely, sheets drenched and heart pounding. It usually takes a lot of time to calm down and go back to sleep, and more often than not, sleep doesn’t come easily or peacefully, and women end up spending a fitful night.

Causes of Night Sweats after Menopause
Night sweats after menopause are a result of some very complex interactions within the body due to the fluctuating levels of estrogen. So, the major cause of night sweats is hormonal imbalance, which affects the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining the body’s temperature, and since hormonal imbalances affect the functioning of this gland, the body temperature fluctuates. In its attempt to regulate body temperature, the hypothalamus may dilate the blood vessels to heat up the body, resulting in hot flashes.

On the other hand, if the hypothalamus gets the signal that the body temperature has risen, it triggers the sweat glands and as a result causes profuse sweating, leading to night sweats.

Apart from the hormonal imbalance, night sweats after menopause are can also be caused by pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, sleep apnea or a thyroid disorder.

Treatment of Night Sweats after Menopause
Night sweats after menopause can be treated in different ways. Changes in lifestyle and alternative medicines are two treatments that help immensely. Hormone replacement therapy is recommended in severe cases, but treatment through natural means is a healthier and safer option in the long run.

• Lifestyle Changes: Exercise and yoga can help a great deal in the treatment of night sweats after menopause. Yoga has some exercises that are especially meant for dealing with night sweats, like breathing and relaxation exercises. These are especially handy after an episode when there is a need to go back to sleep. Deep breathing and relaxation help a lot. Also, dietary changes like a reduction in caffeine intake, as well as alcohol and processed foods intake, can go a long way to minimize night sweats after menopause. Smoking should be stopped if one is a smoker.
• Alternative Medicine: Alternative medicines, such as herbal remedies, are also very effective for night sweats after menopause. Phytoestrogens are plant estrogens and are available in herbs such as black cohosh and dong quai. Also, an increase in the vitamin in take is highly recommended. Soy products are also highly recommended and have been known to help menopause symptoms to a very large extent. Herbal remedies and natural remedies are safe and effective treatment options, since they don’t stress the liver for synthesis like other medications often do.

Night sweats after menopause can leave a woman feeling very disturbed and irritable, owing to the fact that sleep is directly affected. Lifestyle changes, especially exercise, can go a long way in the treatment of night sweats.

EFT for Healing Common Problems

Did you know that nearly 75% of the general population suffers from some form of stress? And that over 90% of suicide victims have had some form of a diagnosable mental disorder? A fast paced world, with innovations coming in faster than people can keep up, makes for a very stressful lifestyle. Increasingly more people across the world are falling victim to diagnosable mental disorders like depression, anxiety and panic. The mind needs to calm down and relax on a regular basis.

The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps an individual to calm down and find inner peace. EFT for healing is a largely used technique that has helped thousands of people. The basic premise of EFT is that tapping into the internal energy of the body can help with the healing process. EFT theory believes that negative emotions are created in response to negative experiences, and the body makes negative programs that lead to a disturbance in the energy field of the body.

The technique has its basis in acupuncture, only no needles are needed for this form of therapy. Instead, the acupuncture points are tapped lightly with the finger tips by the therapist. Eventually, the therapist teaches the client how to do this on his own.

EFT for Healing Disorders
Various mental disorders can be helped by EFT. A large number of therapists are using EFT for healing anxiety, depression, stress and pain. Here is how it works for each of these cases:

• Anxiety is characterized by a general sense of panic and unrest. Also present are physiological symptoms, such as nausea and restricted breathing. EFT for healing anxiety works on identifying the triggers of an anxiety or panic attack and working towards dealing with them through tapping on acupressure points.
• EFT for healing depression works in pretty much the same way, by identifying the trigger for depression and working on improving the person’s self esteem.
• Stress is a common ailment in today’s world. We often hear about people ‘burning out,’ which essentially means that they can’t take the stress levels anymore. Stress is essentially tension and worry that people tend to take on. EFT for healing stress works on relaxing a person, and using the inherent energy of the body to de-stress.
• Pain management is possible with the use of EFT. EFT for healing pain and for pain management begins with assessing the pain on a scale of zero to ten, with zero being no pain and ten being unimaginable pain. Once the pain has been assessed, the therapist guides the person through a series of EFT steps to manage the pain. At times, the technique has been successful in making the pain go away completely.

There are several other situations and conditions where EFT for healing can be used to manage the disease or disorder. This includes asthma, blood pressure, anger management, addictions and cravings, and weight loss. EFT is a particularly effective therapy for anger management. Also, since the person is not dependent on the doctor or the therapist, it is an ideal technique.