Herbal Anxiety Remedy???

[Killjoy]

Any suggestions from the vast knowledge base here on anything to help with general anxiety? (anything other than POT that is).
Weed helps a little, but if the anxiety's already flairing then it just turns to paranoia...

Valium, Xanex, Adavan, etc... are all grand but get pretty pricey without insurance and they don't seem to grow to well when I plant them out back. Not to mention all the hassle they come with.

[loochypooch]

I wish I knew. I think cactus has some major therapeutic potential, but it's something you can only do once a week or once a month.

I've talked to my doctor and tried SSRI's, but they are just weird.

[dead_diver]

Try Valerian root or extract.

[Gamera]

Not herbal, but there is some research indicating that the over-the-counter supplemant niacinamide (B-3) has benzodiazepine like effects and can reduce anxiety. In my experience it is somewhat effective 1000-15000 mg doses.

[loochypooch]

Originally Posted by Gamera

Not herbal, but there is some research indicating that the over-the-counter supplemant niacinamide (B-3) has benzodiazepine like effects and can reduce anxiety. In my experience it is somewhat effective 1000-15000 mg doses.

I'm gonna give that a try since my doc won't give me benzos. Thanks Gamera!

[dead_diver]

It's not herbal but melatonin is good too.

[SharkieJones]

You can also try Kava Kava.

[Raul del Angelo]

I have to agree with SharkieJones, kava kava tea
is fairly powerful stuff. I've taken it a few times
and it knocks me out. I would say it works about
as well as Ambien for sleep. I have only used it
for sleep but I would think that it is also a powerful
stress reliever. The only reservation I have about
it is it is also a diuretic and will exercise your
kidneys. I got the tea at the local health store.

Peace, Raul

[loochypooch]

Melatonin does nothing for me.

[Lazlo]

I've got a friend that's an MD in herbal meds and acupuncture. I'll ask him tommorrow and will let you know.

[Niarb]

Try Chamomile, available as a tea in healthfood shops & supermarkets

[siam_jim]

reishi with ginger tea...soothing

[cactus_muncher]

I agree with sharkie Kava is great stuff I eavin smoke it from time to time it has a great relaxing affect it causes tenshion and stress to virtualy melt away and gives a nice mellow aditude to boot just be shure to use it in moderation

[spyker]

sceletium...
look it up, too much to say..
Natures prozac, herbal e in high doses, Natural SSRI. Pharmo trials found it same or better than Benzo's and artificial SSRI's. A few hours duration. Take a pinch in empty teabag, roll. Cud chew for a while. Slight numbing of gums. Coffee like buzz, but not coffee like anxiety, slight sltimulant, but smoother and actually , subtle,anxiety dissolves. Lasts short term, a few hours, not like prozac and the artificial SSRI's.

A guy who grows the stuff gave me a big bag.. Enough for a few years. And I have a few plants. Its is endemic to southern africa.

http://www.sceletium.co.za/
Re: the human genomic project, the khoisan are the oldest culture alive.. been around for 50000 years! Thats sustainability! A freind who stayed with the khoisan said the old men mainly used for energy/perk-up. Some hippies round here grind it fine, fine and snarf it..haha brown root powderin my nose uuugh no thanks haha. But it does have a nice kick then, quite potent stimulant effects..

[spyker]

Also known as kanna.
http://www.sceletium.org/
A good article :
http://www.naturalmedicine.co.za/saj...31008161804109

""What plants are likely to emerge as cash cows in the next few years? One potential blockbuster is Sceletium - also known as kougoed, or chewing stuff - a relation of the vygie family of plants (Mesembryanthae). This plant was traditionally used as an energy booster and has been shown to have strong antidepressant and antistress characteristics. In a high-stress world where depression is at an all-time high, the potential of this plant is phenomenal. However, extensive research and development must be done.""

The stuff is great, all I can say. And legal and can replace anti-anxiety and anti-depression medication. You wont hear about it on the front page news as long as the pharms' keep the market.

http://www.biogenesis.co.za/pi-z-sceletium.asp

[golly]

Ok u guys just cost me 30bucks...lol...i ordered some seeds and powder -says their pretty easy to grow as a tropical....
Another powerfull plant that can take the edge off - is passiflora incarnata,,
a type passion flower ...take 1 or two fresh leaves and make a tea...
kinda taste like pease ..The effects are long lasting for me -about 18hrs.
Makes u kind of groggy but a smaller dose maybe better if u have stuff to do....

[Lazlo]

Sorry for the delay. Passion Flower

[cap]

ime so far, nothing hits the spot like ol' mary jane
that said, any1 try blue lotus ? thanks in advance..

[BuckarooBanzai]

I would suggest starting a couple of St. John's Wort capsules per day. The make an excellent anti-anxiety maintenance drug. Not for treating spikes, though.

For spikes, Valerian and/or Kava are both excellent choices. Meditation and directed breathing can be HIGHLY effective, and quicker, than drugs. I would strongly suggest staying away from opiates. Treating anxiety with opiates is a great way to form an addiction.

Marijuana is a *terrible* treatment for acute anxiety. MJ is far more likely to make you hear DEA agents outside the door than chill you out during a real anxiety attack.

Xanax can do wonders, but is expensive and has side-effects (especially at larger doses). No drug will be an ideal cure all. The more drugs/techniques you can bring into your arsenal, the better off you will be.

Certain Yogic breathing techniques are phenomenal for combating acute anxiety and are strongly suggested as a productive avenue for exploration (HINT).

You might also consider taking a very hard and detailed look at your diet. Many times, anxiety reactions are triggered/fueled by food allergies. An allergic reaction feels a LOT like the "fight or flight" reaction of an acute anxiety attack.

In closing, I would humbly suggest that you don't use for a buzz any drug you use as a medicine. Once you blur the lines sufficiently, that drug will be less effective in both arenas.

[Killjoy]

Thanks All!!
I've been through opiate withdrawl after a sholder operation. Not worth... well anything really, and somthing I'd like never to repeat.

I've found Tai Chi to be more helpfull than Yoga IME. any breathing Tech in particular Buckaroo?

I've been to an allergist and through a NAET allergy treatment regime.
Still working through fine tunning, but it has helped immensly.
Allergies are amazing and I'd wish there were more mainstream research on them.
I also Just saw an article on how CO2 increases may increase pollen counts and allergies-not to mention smog. maybe that's why everyone seems more crazy lately.
It's something I ought to revist.

I'm working on the diet-Complete elimination of processed foods, and all simple Sugar works wonders. I'm about 80% there.

And yes, MJ isn't something I use as a treatment. For me at least, anxiety is different than stress or excitement. if I'm a little wound, or a little on edge and just want to relax MJ is great. But if anxiety hits it's no help at all.

Thanks again for the all the suggestions...

[cap]

anxiety attacks are one thing.
general feeling of anxiety is easily masked by pot.
dunno what kinda herb yall are smokin but mine keeps me sane.

[Bobcat]

picamilone works well. 5htp with benadryl works wonders too, but take it in a setting where you can sleep if you need to at first.

[duaut]

Valerian 10x Extract has been the only Herbal that had the seditive effects = benzos. 2 pills give me the hangover I need for 2 days afterwards.

The rest of the stuff listed above didn't cut it. Very weak if any body sensations at all.

Thats me though

[Bromius]

Great thread. I've had major anxiety problems for many years... I've tried talking to counselors, SSRI's and various herbal approaches. Heh, camomile puts me to sleep in half an hour guaranteed. Kava kava tea is weird... feels like a drank a few beers after I down a cup, without the body lag. I've been meaning to try meditation, but everything I've read seems kind of vague on how to do it.

Buckaroo> The food allergy thing I'd never heard of. How do you differentiate between anxiety and a food reaction since they are so similar? Any reading material you know of off the top of your head that you'd recommend?

Heh, I'm also in the process of getting the fucking nicotine out of my system. Hopefully I don't gnaw my arms off in the next 48 hours... That would still beat lighting up again though. In the wise and timeless words of the sage, "Fuck that shit!".

[hogwild]

good call brom, stay away from those cigs. Those will kill ya. Just quit a few weeks ago myself.

[BuckarooBanzai]

Here is a good basic type intro to what I'm talking about:

http://www.healthrecipes.com/food_al...stionnaire.htm

I'm not trumpeting that site, or what is on it, but it makes a good jumping off point.

[Mylo]

catnip

[Bromius]

Well, I seem to be in a pretty bad hole these days so I"ve been searching relevant threads on here for help since the folks here always seem to have good advice. Bought some St. Johns wort today so we'll see how that goes. Excercise has been sporadic, mainly I think because I'm so low that my motivation is about zero. Meditation gets mentioned in this type of thread a bit... Does anybody know of any techniques that would be good for someone to start out with? I've never done it but I want to try...

[Glasshopper]

5-htp is awesome for anxiety, it is a precurser to seratonin and increases it's levels in the brain, kava is good, as mentioned, also for acute anxiety nothing seems to work like phenibut but it is for occasional use only because the body builds a tolerence to it VERY quickly.

Oat straw tea can help rebuild jaggled nerves.

Certain essential oil scents have a calming effect as well, ones like lavender or ylang ylang.

How is your diet? Sometimes that can play a big part in moods.

For me nothing helps calm me down than getting my hands in the dirt gardening and watching things grow.

Good luck

[Lazlo]

My boy says that Passion Flower is the stuff to use for anxiety. I saw someone had a nice plant of it growing in a thread here. Maybe you guys should look into it.

http://forums.mycotopia.net/showthread.php?t=12482 (some pics)

[Riddles]

skullcap aka mad dogweed is supposed to work well and even give an almost cannabis high, never tried it though

[Bromius]

Hmm, my diet... Well I have sensible breakfast of raisin bran and orange juice, usually a sub for lunch, a little jimson weed and belladonna for an evening snack. That's a pretty normal right?

All kidding aside, that area could use some work. I know how to cook food that is both healthy and tasty, I just don't do it enough. Gardening is good. I enjoy it. Dealing with anything green and alive seems to help me too. Alas, I live in a city. I think that may be part of the problem since its so different from where I grew up. You should see my apartment though, I have plants in front of almost every window ( I leave a few open for my cat to perch on).

[Burger]

Powdered valerian root

[spyker]

sceletium, bushmans "E"

Saw live plants for sale on sunday at my nursery! haha but bought an orchid cause I've got 2 species of mesemenbrine (spell.?) containing plants already... That stuff is really good for anxiety, and with specific action in low doses. As is gardening, get an orchid or 2 for inside the house and work up a big patch of ground up somewhere and plant a veggie patch. Just for release and to take yer mind off shit. Get a fish tank... Yoga and breathing works well too...

[Bromius]

Funny how things work out. I have a new coworker that has some experience with meditation- just found out today. Hopefully she can give me some insight on how to get started.

kratom is great but expensive if you dont grow it.

[ignorant monkey]

have you tried valerian or passionflower yet? i done quite a bit of research on plants that help with anxiety, and these 2 seem to be the most usefull based on all i've read.
it's important to use fresh plant material, or buy the extracts/tinctures from a known reputable vendor.

i'll have to look into the b-3 thing.

[swine]

I'd reccomend trying this extract from the Eclectic Herb Institute, which contains valerian, passion flower, chamomile, hops, and anise. I use it for both sleep and anxiousness. I like this product alot and have been using it for years, but if you are not the type to deal with the "dirty foot" grossness of valerian then I'd go for some valerian caps

[moondust]

Originally Posted by Killjoy

Any suggestions from the vast knowledge base here on anything to help with general anxiety? (anything other than POT that is).
Weed helps a little, but if the anxiety's already flairing then it just turns to paranoia...

Valium, Xanex, Adavan, etc... are all grand but get pretty pricey without insurance and they don't seem to grow to well when I plant them out back. Not to mention all the hassle they come with.

I have tried most anti anxiatics

I stay away from diazepines if I can help it, only take them when needed and too broke to buy L-Tryptophan, (it is not covered where I am.)

It beats St John' s Wort by a million miles, much easier than it, to take or leave when needed.

St John'' s wort has a severe rebound depression when you stop L-Tryptophan doesn' t, it feels real nice

[Paradox]

Good quality skullcap is great for reducing nervousness. Just fill the tea-ball up then steep in boiling water with cup covered over and drink. Valerian is good too and can help you sleep a headache off. 5htp is relaxing and kava is powerful and moreish he he

[Set]

Noone's meantioned this yet: Yin Chen Hao. Smoke a couple of bowls or make a tea and it's nicely relaxing.

[aumbrellaforainydays]

set, is that herb related to wormwood?

meditation is my anxiety remedy, although its not an herb, in high doses it may produce euphoria, long term effects may cause lasting happiness, patience, concentration, and tranquility.
not for the faint of heart, slowing down a busy, multitasked, stressed mind may may cause bouts of even greater anxiety and tension. subconsciousness, or that little voice that makes those seemingly endless judgements of what it dislikes and likes may become amplified. this i believe is where the root of anxiety can be found sometimes. remember it doesnt have to be a condition that has to be treated, if the root is pulled out before it blooms. like a weed running through our consciousness, its there but its very hard to root out. start slow and work steady, techniques will come after getting past the "meeting myself" stage.

but if you like i try to balance two techniques so that i dont become attached to the state of being one gives. concentrate on something for a sustained amount of time, keeping the focus on the object you desire, a word, phrase, image, object. keep attention on it, the breath is a good one. when a thought or feeling springs up, take time to notice it, then notice its how and why. keep doing that with every sensation. the stronger the feeling, the harder it will be to "stay present" without flying off on some thought train or dream rocket.
mindfulness, just sit, dont react, just be aware of everything, mindfulness is little more tricky but its needed once you get past being able to sustain a single object in attention, which may become counter productive if it becomes a way of escape, instead of focus. mindfulness helps me see the chaos of our minds and bodies through balanced breathing and posture, and a clearer sense of identity. but persistence is key, then we proceed on what i call the limitless stage of more contemplative of more emptiness, until anxiety and depression themselves cannot afflict.

[Set]

Originally Posted by aumbrellaforainydays

set, is that herb related to wormwood?

It it lightly related... but not the same at all in effects.


I won't say meditation isn't nice too, and it will do the trick for me. But I know some people for whom it won't work... when it comes to actual 'anxiety attacks' apparently you (or they) can't effectively meditate during one.


Note that Yin Chen Hao is also a dilator... meaning it will lower your blood pressure somewhat as well. In chinese medicine it's traditionally used for problems with digestion and the liver.

[Vapor]

Valarian is good but it can induce sleep and or drowsiness and should be used prior to going to bed, IMHO.

Good kava kava is effective and potentially intoxicating at high doses. It might also be addictive.

Saint John's Wort is wonderful.

Chinese Red ginseng has calming properties.

There are a variety of calming tea mixes containing herbs suited to this end.

With the exception of the red ginseng and most of the teas, care should be taken not to over indulge. More is not better with herbals and there is potential for toxicity with many of them. It is important to take a "safe dose" daily, preferrably at the same time every day. Also, don't hit yourself with more than one herb initially until you are intimate with the effects. Then you can experiment with combinations, one at a time. Otherwise, it wil be hard to tell " who is doing what to whom" and you might even suffer unsesireable results.

Many believe that if it is natural and an herb, it can't hurt you. This is pure bullshit. More is better is also bullshit. That's a doper's mentality and it should not be applied to herbs. Thyme, for instance, is great for your blood within prescribed limits. Past that, it can induce liver damage.

B complex offers a tonic for the nervous system and is calming. However, some folks(like me) are extremely allergic to niacinamide. I recomend strongly against the mega doses indicated above until you've tested the waters. Also, note that niacinimide is almost certain to be included in a good B complex.

Excersize can reduce stress and anxiety. Oddly, this is especially true for people practicing maretial arts in many cases. Martial arts aside, Zen/yogic breathing exercises are a joy and they will help you. Meditation is the greatest asset in helping you to realize the roots of the problem, the triggers, and how to recognize it in seed form in order to diffuse it before anxiety gets to the level where it snowballs, feeding upon itself, and hurting you.

Meditation is the oldest, and still one of the most effective, forms of bio feedback available for effective behavioral modification.

It will help you to consciously control your rythms until you can do so automatically. When you freak your breating becomes erratic, your heart palpitates, thoughts race, fear and confusion ensue, and this whole mess snowballs. Breating can be controled so that it remains regular. Given this, your heart and mind can be commanded to remain calm. Just like anxiety, success feeds upon itself. Once this starts working for you, and you have confidence that it does work, you can maintain and continue your gains through ongoing practice.

The herbal route may alleviate sysmptoms. Meditation can enable you to root them out. I recommend a dual approach.

I also recommend two books:

The Wisdom of Insecurity by Allan Watts

The Flight of the Eagle by J. Krishnamurtti

Peace on you!