Herbal remedies for anxiety

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is becoming much common in younger age groups nowadays, especially younger men and women from IT, ITES, BPO etc are more reported than other industrial groups. Many companies have introduced the EIS Emotional intelligence Score to analyze the employees psychological abilities, stress resistance, etc. Anxiety disorder is characterized by the following symptoms a. Unrealistic worries lasts more than six months Subject could be anything job, money, marriage etc b. Trembling c. Feeling body or head ache all the times d. Insomnia or Disturbed sleep e. Abdominal upset, Frequent motions f. Dizziness g. Constant and un wanted irritability h. Poor concentration i. Reduced memory Anxiety disorder is classified based on the cause as follows a. OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder b. Panic Disorder c. PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder d. Social Anxiety Disorders e. Phobias General causes include hereditary, brain chemical imbalances, life experiences etc. Ayurveda concept of anxiety disorder

Ayurveda, unlike the modern medical system, takes a comprehensive approach in the management of Anxiety disorder. Ayurveda considers this condition is due to the vitiated Prana Vata which weakens the CNS and triggers the psychological imbalance. It also affects the Neuro-Hormonal systems and functions. Ayurveda recommends a holistic approach to manage and heal anxiety disorder through diet, aromatherapy, color therapy, sound therapy and touch (massage) therapy along with yoga and meditation. Ayurveda therapies for Anxiety Disorders Ayurveda recommends a fourfold therapy process to heal Anxiety Disorder. a. Abhyangam Ayurveda Herbal oil Application: After the understanding the nature of the person and nature of the diseases, suitable medicated oil is selected. This medicated oil is applied all over the body in a rhythmic action to reduce the vitiated Vata dosha. b. Ayurveda medicated enema- Administration of a mild herbal enema after the massage and heat treatments completes the cleansing process. Ayurveda theory describes how the massage and heat treatments drive many of the impurities into the lower bowel area and, therefore, it is necessary to administer enema as the last step in the purification process. c. Ayurveda Oleated sudation Therapies This is again divided into three therapies. Shirodhara: Ayurveda medicated oil is poured on the third eye as a stream for 45-55 minutes. This therapy enhances the nervous system and removes the mental fatigue in no time. Pizhichil: Warm medicated herbal oil poured all over the body as a continuous stream for 45- 55 minutes. This improves the regeneration process and removes the psychological fatigue. Swedana: Herbal steam application to improve the blood circulation / to remove the impurities. Pinda Swedana: Application of medicated bolus prepared from rice, herbs, meat and processed with herbal powders. This helps to regularize the excessive metabolic activities and eliminate the unwanted the toxic byproducts. An Ayurveda physician after considering the ten diagnostic factors of Ayurveda recommends a treatment schedule varies from 14-28 days inclusive and mixture of the above mentioned therapies. This process helps the patient to completely detoxify and rejuvenate which in turn helps the patient to come out the illness quickly. Herbal remedies good for Anxiety Disorders Common Name California Poppy Botanical Name Eschscholtzia californica Health Benefits Tension, stress, Anti Anxiety, Anti spasmodic.

Hops

Humulus lupulus

Kava kava

Piper methysticum

Lemon barln

Melissa officinalis

Linden

Tilia europea

Passion Flower

Passiflora incarnate

Skullcap

Scutellaria laterifolia

St. Johns Wort

Hypericum perfoliatum

Valerian

Valeriana officinalis

Helps in Insomnia, headache, muscular pain, Safe for children Calms the CNS, restlessness and tension. Good for Insomnia, stress, sleep loss, indigestion and alcohol withdrawal Reduces anxiety, fear and tension. Good for emotional stress, improve interpersonal and career performance, redice grogginess. Muscular relaxation and improves sound sleep Tonic, reduces anxiety, restlessness and nervousness. Good for panic disorder, palpitation, Hyper activeness. Good for stress, anxiety, nausea, indigestion and colic Reduces tension, helps relax. Good for stress, anxiety, hypertension, palpitation and ulcers Mild sedative, good for anxiety, tension, spasms, pain and neuralgia. Good for sleep, induces relaxation. Suitable for children and elderly specially for nervousness Relaxation, tones the nervous system, good for Hypersensitivity. Helps hysteria, depression, exhaustion and stress during PMS Anxiety and tension, Irritability and depression. Very effective for mood swings, menstrual problems related to anxiety Sedative and muscular

Wild Lettuce

Lactuca virosa

Wood Betony

Stachys officinalis

relaxant good for anxiety and stress, muscular tension, pain, cramps, restlessness, insomnia, over work and over study, Improves poor concentration, Liver Tonic Anxious children and adolescents, Good for Insomnia, pain, anti spasmodic and irritable coughs Sedative, reduces tension, anxiety and nervous exhaustion. Calms hyperactive, Good for headache, pain. Improves memory and clarity, IQ

Source: Dr Gowthaman, Medical Director, Dr Gowthamans Ayurveda Panchakarma Center, Chennai Image: Wikimedia commons Tags: Anxiety disorder, Ayurveda, herbal remedies, Obsessivecompulsive disorder, Sify Health