Here are five naturally occurring remedies that have calming effects:
Magnesium
Magnesium is one of the most important elements in the body and plays a vital role in various bodily functions including the neurological communication between the brain and the body.
This attribute makes magnesium an important contributor to overall brain health, mood, and psychological well-being.
Magnesium is often linked with anxiety because of the mineral’s interaction with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis of the brain.
This is the centre of the body’s stress response and magnesium plays a vital role in neurological communication along this pathway.
Not taking enough magnesium has been linked to anxiety as one of its prominent symptoms.
Magnesium has numerous food sources including leafy greens, fish, beans, whole grains, and seeds.
Thus, a healthy and balanced diet may supply the needed daily intake of magnesium.
The recommended dosage is between 310 to 320 mg for women and 400-420mg for men.
If you are not meeting your bodies magnesium needs by diet alone you may add magnesium supplements like those from MAGSUPPS to your daily supplement regime.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a herbal supplement that is popular for its stress-relieving capabilities. For hundreds of years, this supplement has been in use for its medicinal properties.
Ashwagandha is an ‘adaptogen’, meaning it belongs to a group of herbs that contain chemicals that interact with hormones and other systems in your body to regulate stress response
Although Ashwagandha has a long history of use in traditional Indian, or Ayurvedic, medicine, clinical trials are yet to confirm its full potential in the treatment of stress and anxiety.
In one recent study, patients who were given a dose of 250 milligrams (mg) to 600 mg per day of this supplement were discovered to have produced less of the stress hormone cortisol.
The test subjects also experienced improved sleep quality and general wellness.
Ashwagandha is available as a powder, liquid tincture, or tablet.
There is no standard dosage for taking this supplement, however, experts seem to agree that taking between 250–600 mg daily may help reduce stress.
The capsule dosage typically contains between 250 and 1,500 mg of ashwagandha which is considered safe to use.
Valerian
This is another popular plant extract that can be used for the treatment of anxiety, stress, and depression.
Valerian is also used for treating sleep issues and can be taken as a tablet, tincture, or used to make tea.
Despite having a lot of promising benefits, there are few studies that probe the calming effect of Valerian.
This means there is limited evidence to support its use in the alleviation of anxiety, depression, and related issues.
People have been aware for years that this herb has sleep-inducing effects, but the scientific proof of how it works is limited.
Valerian is not recommended for use for pregnant women and children or with sedatives or alcohol.
Lavender
The lavender plant is a type of mint that is commonly used by people for its calming effects on the nerves.
Lavender can also help alleviate stress and anxiety and comes in multiple forms.
The leaves of the lavender plant can be used to make tea, which the oil extract is also useful for aromatherapy or massage.
Lavender oil and flowers can also be added to water for a relaxing bath.
Lavender contains linalyl acetate and linalool, which interact with the chemical receptors of the brain to produce a calming effect.
Lavender is more commonly used for the short-term treatment of anxiety and its instant effect on mood.
Very little is known about the long-term effect of this herb and whether or not it can be used for the specific treatment of certain conditions.
Galphimia glauca
Galphimia glauca is a herb species that grows in some parts of Mexico and other countries in Central America.
This evergreen shrub has been in use for centuries for the reduction of anxiety mainly due to its highly potent tranquilizer effect.
People suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), a condition characterized by persistent anxiety, tension, and worry, can benefit immensely from a regular treatment routine with extracts of the Galphimia glauca plant.
There are no specific instructions regarding the appropriate dosage for this supplement, as the right dosage depends on age, health, and several other conditions as prescribed by your physician.
Conclusion
When it comes to dealing with anxiety and stress, nothing beats living a healthy lifestyle and eating a balanced diet.
However, the natural remedies mentioned in this article can also help calm your nerves when you feel anxious.