Many plant medicines alleviate occasional anxiety. For cases of mild to moderate anxiety reach for soothing and nourishing herbs like Chamomile ,Linden and oatstraw for a herbal tea break. These herbs are safe and effective is for anyone whose nervous system feels frayed or stressed. Hysteria, or anxiety is a diagnostic label applied to a state of mind, one of unmanageable fear or emotional excesses. The fear is often centered on a body part, most often on an imagined problem with that body part (disease is a common complaint). People who are "hysterical" often lose self-control due to the overwhelming fear. In modern terms this is often referred to as a panic attack. When such anxiety is frequent or chronic, adrenal exhaustion results. You experience fatigue, decreased ability.

Herbal Sedatives : The sedative qualities of Hops, Scullcap, Valerian can be beneficial to the nervous system, and do not cause dependence or tolerance. Start out with a small dose, and adjust the amount as needed, to get the right combination of relaxation without over sedation. Passionflower is useful for severe daytime anxiety. Most anti-anxiety herbs are compatible and enhance each others effect, however, do not mix herbs with prescription anti-anxiety drugs, the results can be unpredictable at best..¹

Using Aromatherapy

Essential Oils for Anxiety: Aromatherapy is especially suited to support emotional healing and produce more positive feelings. To treat anxiety, choose essential oils that are sedative and tonic to the nervous system. Clary Sage oil, Lavender, ² and Neroli all have soothing, sedating phytochemicals that readily absorb into the skin. These appealing floral scents can be used as a perfumes, and can help you maintain a calm, steady outlook on your day.

Herbs Used for Anxiety/Panic

Bergamot * California Poppy * Catnip * Catuaba * Chamomile * Clary Sage * Hops * Jamaican Dogwood * Juniper * Kava-Kava * Lavender * Licorice * Linden * Marjoram,Sweet * Oats * Passion Flower * Peppermint * Reishi * Rosemary * Skullcap * St. John's Wort * Tansy * Valerian * Vervain * Wild lettuce *

Bergamot For: Anxiety, depression
Profile	As a nerve sedative it is valuable for depression and states of anxiety.. Robert B Tisserand, The Art of Aromatherapy (1977)

Blue Vervain For: Calms, lifts depression
Profile	Vervain soothes and calms the nervous system and addresses any depression hat might be present. It is also beneficial for the liver, if that organ is stressed or damaged. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

California poppy For: Mild to moderate anxiety
Profile	Clinical studies show that California poppy is safe, effective, and free of side effects for the treatment of mild to moderate anxiety. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

California Poppy For: Anxiety, restless legs syndrome
Profile	California poppy is closely related to the opium poppy, and is a calming and anti-inflammatory agent. Unlike the opiates found in the opium poppy, the alkaloid components of California poppy do not cause addiction or disorientation as they induce relaxation (in lower doses) or sleep (in higher doses). This herb also stops muscle spasms and relieves pain. Useful in cases of anxiety and restless legs syndrome. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Celery seed For: Stress, nerves
Profile	Carminative stimulant, diuretic, tonic, nervine, useful in hysteria, promoting restfulness and sleep, and diffusing through the system a mild sustaining influence. Good combined with Scutellaria for nervous cases with loss of tone. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Vol 1 (1931)

Chamomile For: Nervous excitability, anxiety
Profile	This old-time remedy for anxiety still works, relaxing and toning the nervous system, and easing the digestive complaints especially in cases of nervous excitability. Anxiety, attention deficit disorder (ADD), insomnia, and stress. Laboratory tests on animals show that inhaling the vapors of essential oil of chamomile reduces the body's production of adrenocorti-cotropichormone (ACTH), a stress hormone. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Clary Sage oil For: Confidence
Profile	Clary Sage oil creates a sense of euphoria, and restores courage and confidence

Clary Sage oil For: Frigidity, anxiety
Profile	Massage with Clary Sage oil is profoundly relaxing with a sensual quality. Clary sage oil is beneficial for sexual dysfunction, frigidity, anxiety, and impotence, partly due to it's hormonal influence.

Hops For: Depression
Profile	Some herbalists recommend avoiding this herb if depression is present, as hops might worsen these feelings. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Juniper essential oil For: Nervous disorders, insomia
Profile	Its sedative action will help those who find sleeping difficult because of worries and tensions. Juniper has a strengthening, tonic effect on the nerves, and is indicated in nervous disorders, states of stress and anxiety. Robert B Tisserand, The Art of Aromatherapy (1977)

Lavender For: Anxiety, Stress
Profile	Lavenders soothing, sedating phytochemicals readily absorb into the skin, including the sensitive membranes inside the nose. That's why even the scent of lavender tends to calm and relax. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Licorice For: Chronic anxiety, adrenal tonic
Profile	Among its many medicinal benefits, licorice is considered an adrenal tonic, in particular, it increases production of the very chemicals that aid in the body's recovery from chronic anxiety and stress. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Neroli For: Anxiety
Profile	Worn as a perfume, it keeps the psyche from overreacting to stimuli and helps you maintain a calm countenance.

Oatstraw tea For: Stress reduction
Profile	Soothing and nourishing, oats are good for anyone whose nervous system feels frayed or stressed. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Passionflower For: Anxiety, insomnia
Profile	Generally used for treating insomnia, passionflower is a strong calming herb and is occasionally useful for severe daytime anxiety.

Passionflower For: Drug and Alcohol Withdrawal
Profile	Passionflower is the herbal remedy of choice for treating nausea and vomiting resulting from withdrawal from Vicodin, cocaine, heroin, or opiate painkillers and may also help withdrawal from alcohol. Marlene Ericksen, Healing with Aromatherapy (2000)

Scullcap For: Anxiety and mood swings
Profile	It is useful for anxiety of all sorts, particularly for the anxiety and mood swings associated with hormonal swings, such as in PMS and menopause Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Valerian For: Anti-anxiety
Profile	Here is a good, strong anti-anxiety herb. Its active ingredients, valepotriates, blind to benzodiazepine receptor sites in the brain- a mechanism similar to drugs like Valium. The herb, however, seems to be more beneficial to the nervous system, and does not cause dependence or tolerance. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Anxiety/Panic Information

• Depression :
  The simple act of preparing and savoring a herbal tea is part of the self healing process.
• Insomnia :
  Insomnia, or sleeping problems can be treated naturally with herbal teas, infusions and baths. actions which determine the conditions for which it is most appropriate.
• Stress :
  Before you reach for the pill bottle, or try to drown the pain with alcohol, or eat chocolate until you fall into a sugar induced stupor (my personal demon) try some of these herbal and essential oil remedies to help you cope.