Natural Alternatives

Natural therapies can be a good way to help your anxiety. Although taking natural remedies, like St Johns Wort, can help some people, a lot of the therapies below are more therapies that may help to relax your mind and body. I will soon be adding information on other natural therapies and remedies such as kava kava, valerian, massage therapy and St John Wort. 

Aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy is a wonderful and affective way to calm the mind and help remove stress. The beauty of aromatherapy is that it can be used in a number of ways. 

Added to a oil burner. Which will disperse the aromas into the air. This is a great way to use them while doing relaxation exercises or doing chores and other things around the house.

Mixed with a carrier oil (such as almond, soya, grape seed or avocado oil.) and used for massage. You can either give someone a massage or give yourself one. Just massage the tense parts of your body, such as your  hands and feet,

Added by putting a few drops to your bath. The effect of a warm bath with aromatherapy is truly relaxing.

A few warnings about aromatherapy. Some particular oils are not recommended to use while pregnant or epileptic. Please consult an aromatherapist before using any oils if you are either of these.

Essential Oils for Stress and Anxiety.
Try one of these oils at a time or try mixing a couple together to see what works well.

Tension and Anxiety- Bergamot, chamomile, frankincense, marjoram, neroli, sandalwood, camphor and jasmine.

Muscular Aches and pains- Eucalyptus, rosemary and sage

Depression- bergamot, geranium, jasmine, lavender, neroli, rose and ylang ylang

Insomnia- camphor, chamomile, jasmine, marjoram and neroli

Headaches- cardamom, lavender, marjoram, peppermint and rose.

Bach Flower Remedies.

Flower Remedies are an interesting and sometimes very effective way to help with anxiety and emotional issues. Flower remedies are made by picking certain parts of plants (the flowers or the leaves) . They are then held in water for a particular amount of time. The flowers or leaves are then taken out. The left over liquid is then diluted and strengthened several times. It is the belief that the essences of these flowers help with emotional problems.

I myself have used them and found them helpful. Flower essences are very gentle. As you are not actually ingesting parts of plants they have no side affects. You generally take the mixture four times a day. You can get flower essences from most health food shops. Rescue remedy being probably the most popular. Rescue remedy is a combination of flower essences to deal with shock, fear, pain any sudden emotional or physical pain. It is a great one to carry around with you and take when you have an anxiety attack or when you are feeling anxious.

Four different flower remedies can be mixed together and be taken. Four seems to be the optimal number but you could get away with one more or one less. Below are a list of some helpful remedies.

For Panic- Rock Rose, mimulus

For fear of  losing control or going crazy- Cherry Plum

Depression- mustard, sweet chestnut

Releasing physical shock and trauma- Star of Bethlehem

For releasing long hard struggles, letting go of the past- Oak

Let go of toxic emotions- Holly