Looking for herbal remedies for anxiety? Our latest blog post has you covered, with 7 of the most effective herbal teas to calm your mind and soothe your nervous system.
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If you’re struggling with anxiety, the first thing to know is that you are not alone. According to the mental health charity Mind, 1 in 6 people in England experience anxiety or depression in any given week.
Sometimes, knowing that you are not the only one struggling can be really helpful. Many of us experience anxiety at one point or another in our lives.
But that doesn’t mean that you need to try to cope on your own. Speaking to someone about your anxiety can help you develop strategies and tools to manage the issue and minimise its impact on your daily life.
Your first step will usually be to talk to your GP, who can refer you for talking therapy or suggest other resources, such as apps, courses, or books.
If you have the means, you could also look for a private counsellor or therapist. The Counselling Directory or the BACP are great places to start – they hold lists of trained counsellors and therapists that you can search according to your location, need, and whether you’d like to speak to someone online or in person.
Along with talking therapies and self-guided resources, some people find that incorporating certain herbs into their daily routine can help them feel calmer and cope better with stress.
We don’t suggest using herbal remedies for anxiety as a substitute for developing other coping strategies. But there’s evidence that the herbs on this list can help to soothe anxiety and help you feel calmer, so they are a great option to use alongside other approaches to managing your anxiety.
Let’s take a look at our pick of the 7 most effective herbal remedies for anxiety.
1. Valerian
Valerian is a common hedgerow plant that has been used to treat anxiety and insomnia for centuries. Nicknamed, “nature’s Valium” for its calming and soothing qualities, it is a particularly good option if you are finding it hard to sleep because of anxious thoughts.
Studies like this one have found that taking valerian can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and improve sleep quality.
2. Chamomile
One of the most popular herbal teas for anxiety, chamomile is well known for its ability to soothe our minds and bodies. Long-term use of this herb has been found to significantly reduce the symptoms of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
3. Passionflower
Another herb that is prized for soothing anxiety and improving sleep is passionflower. Native to the Americas, this vine-like herb has striking green and purple flowers. Despite its jazzy appearance, passionflower acts as a natural sedative and has a similar effect to antianxiety medications.
4. Ashwagandha
A commonly used herb in the ancient Indian healing system of Ayurveda, ashwagandha is fast growing in popularity around the globe. That’s because this evergreen shrub is an adaptogen, meaning it helps our bodies and minds cope better with stress and anxiety.
5. Lavender
Comforting lavender is well known for its soothing properties. Often found in sleep mists and aromatherapy blends, even just the scent of this calming herb is said to help ease anxiety and give us a better night’s rest.
6. Lemon Balm
A member of the mint family, lemon balm is commonly used in herbal teas to lift the mood, calm the mind, and ease feelings of anxiety. Research shows that taking lemon balm can help us feel calmer, more relaxed, and less anxious.
7. Rhodiola
Like ashwagandha, rhodiola is an adaptogen that helps us cope with the impact of stress on our bodies and minds. It is a particularly good choice if your anxiety is caused by stress or burnout, as studies show that it can help us feel both calmer and more alert.
Herbal Teas for Anxiety
Although you can find these herbs in other forms, our favourite way to incorporate herbal remedies into our daily routines is to drink herbal tea.
Not only is this a delicious and comforting way to get more herbs in your life, but there’s also just something about the ritual of making tea that can help us to feel calm, centred, and grounded.
When it comes to soothing our minds and calming our bodies, we have two herbal teas that we reach for every time.
The first is our Chamomile & Valerian flagship tea. These two herbs are lovely for helping you relax and get a good night’s sleep.
Our other go-to is NutraRelax, our premium blend that is packed full of soothing herbs, including passionflower, lemon balm, lavender, and chamomile.
