18 natural remedies to calm anxiety

April 19, 2024

Feeling anxiety is a normal reaction of human beings in situations of stress or uncertainty. In fact, all of us, at some point in our lives, have experienced their symptoms.

However, despite being an adaptive reaction, Sometimes it can interfere with the proper functioning of people's lives and can create great discomfort .

In more severe cases, that is, in those in which the person suffers an anxiety disorder, it is necessary to go to a psychology specialist to be able to successfully overcome this problem.

Related article: "6 effective treatments against anxiety"

Natural remedies to calm anxiety

In situations in which anxiety is not a serious problem (although it is annoying or uncomfortable) it is possible to benefit from some natural remedies to relax. These remedies, too, can be useful in more severe cases as long as you also attend psychotherapy sessions.

If you want to leave behind medicines that contain chemicals and want to know what these natural antidotes are, in the following lines you will find a list that can help you to calm the anxiety .

1. Valerian tea

Valerian is a plant native to Europe and Asia and has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for various ailments. It is believed that valerian root has an impact on the availability of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain .

GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter of the nervous system, and is responsible for inhibiting the activity of brain neurons. GABA promotes relaxation and reduces stress levels.

You can learn more about this transmitter in our article: "GABA (neurotransmitter): what it is and what function it plays in the brain"

2. Green tea

Although green tea is a stimulant, Some studies have shown that it is beneficial for anxiety . Mainly because it stimulates brain neurotransmitters that induce relaxation, thanks to L-theanine.

In addition, this substance helps stop the rising heart rate and blood pressure. A study conducted with humans showed that subjects more prone to anxiety were calmer when they took 200 milligrams of L-theanine.

3. Yoga

Yoga presents a series of psychological as well as physical benefits. Your practice has a positive impact on stress and anxiety , as confirmed by a study by Thirthalli and Naveen (2013), since it reduces the levels of cortisol, a hormone that is released in response to stress. By practicing yoga we can lower the levels of this hormone to reduce stress and, therefore, anxiety.

Related article: "The 6 psychological benefits of yoga"

4. Lemon balm

This herb has been used since the Middle Ages, since it is effective to treat sleep, nervousness and anxiety . It is a digestive infusion and originated in central Europe. However, in excess it can be counterproductive and cause more anxiety, so you have to take it in moderation.

5. Licorice Root

It works as a natural alternative to cortisone, which can help the body manage stressful situations , and acts to normalize blood sugar levels, as well as the adrenal glands, providing the energy needed to cope with the stressful situation. Licorice root stimulates cranial and cerebrospinal fluid, and calms the mind.

6. Kava

This plant is a subspecies of mint, and is beneficial in reducing anxiety and nervousness . It is native to the South Pacific, and studies show that it is very useful to calm people down. It is also used against insomnia.

7. Tila

The lime is one of the most consumed infusions for anxiety . Many people take a lime before an important test to calm the nerves and be more relaxed. It is not as strong as valerian, but it can be very effective.

8 Pasionaria

This infusion acts as an anxiolytic and is a tranquilizer and a relaxant that comes from the flower of passion . It was used by the Aztecs centuries ago for its analgesic and sedative effects. It is also indicated in cases of depression, because it produces a slight euphoria. It is also used for insomnia, headache or tachycardia.

9. Skull

The skullcap is a very effective remedy for people who experience anxiety and nervousness along with muscle tension. When someone feels excessively nervous, the skullcap can help relax not only their anxiety, but also the muscular tension that accompanies it. It can be taken as an infusion or as a tincture.

10. Chamomile

Chamomile is a very consumed infusion that has not only beneficial properties for digestion. This infusion contains anxiolytic characteristics and helps reduce stress, anxiety and insomnia , at least this indicates a study in the Medical Center of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia.

11. Hypericum or herb

The hypericum is benefits for the treatment of depression , because it can restore the balance of neurotransmitters that have an impact on the mood. Likewise, it is also beneficial for anxiety. It is possible to find it at any pharmacy and no prescription is necessary to buy it.

12. Arctic root

It has been shown very effective for anxiety that occurs occasionally and for periods of stress . It is a plant native to Siberia and is known for its adaptogenic properties. An adaptogen is a physiological agent that naturally increases the body's resistance to physical and emotional stress. This plant favors the increase in the activity of serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine.

13. Hops

This plant is characterized by its bitter taste. It is native to several regions of Europe and, after consumption, has a positive effect on the nervous system . It is known for its effectiveness in treating anxiety, nervousness, stress, insomnia. In addition, it facilitates digestion.

14. Ashwagandha tea

Its rare name is understood due to its origin, since it is an Indian tea, which has been used in the medicine of that country for centuries. . Ashwagandha tea promotes wellness, clears the mind, reduces hypertension and combats stress and anxiety.

15. Physical exercise

Physical exercise should be a habit that everyone should practice because its benefits are numerous. Among them, we can find that it reduces cortisol levels in the body, helps to get to sleep, releases endorphins that make us feel good and reduces levels of stress and anxiety.

You can deepen this topic in our article: "The 10 psychological benefits of practicing physical exercise"

16. Grass Luisa

Another infusion with soothing and tranquilizing properties and that is useful in cases of nervousness and anxiety is the Luisa Herb . This plant is effective for those people who are mentally down. It is not advisable for pregnant women or during lactation period.

17. Meditation

Meditation has been very effective in controlling anxious thoughts and calming the mind. That is why currently, to treat anxiety, psychological techniques such as Mindfulness are used, which have shown their effectiveness in different investigations.

If you want to learn to meditate, do not miss our article: "How to learn to meditate, in 7 simple steps"

18. Walk through the countryside and the beach

One of the great problems of this society is the pace of life we have. Always working, engaged in new technologies ... TWe have little time to connect with ourselves and enjoy nature .

A 20-minute walk along the beach or through the woods, as indicated by a study carried out by Japanese researchers, helps reduce stress and anxiety. In addition, like any aerobic exercise, walking reduces cortisol levels, as confirmed by research published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology and makes us feel good thanks to the release of different brain chemicals such as endorphins or serotonin.