New Delhi: Anxiety is a fearful or worried feeling that is frequently related to life stressors such as health, money, work, or relationships. It is one of the most frequent mental health issues in the general population. While anxiety is a typical reaction to minor stressors such as a job interview or a medical procedure, some people experience it more frequently.


According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety may also be caused by heredity and environmental variables such as trauma, early stress, or a pattern of negative or stressful life experiences, even a family history of mental health problems or anxiety can also put you at risk.


Listed below are some herbs that help to reduce anxiety naturally.


1. Passion Flower:


Passionflower is being studied as a safer alternative to benzodiazepines, a family of pharmaceutical medications commonly used for anxiety. While benzodiazepines can help with anxiety, they also have a long list of negative effects.


In a clinical trial, passionflower was compared to oxazepam (a benzodiazepine) in the treatment of GAD. The study found that passionflower extract was as effective as oxazepam in treating anxiety, with no significant difference in efficacy. Yet, when compared to the oxazepam group, the passionflower group had a lower rate of impairment in job performance.


2. Lemon Balm:


Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, has been studied for its anti-anxiety properties. People have used it medicinally for thousands of years. Today, it's frequently blended with other relaxing herbs like chamomile, valerian, and lavender. Its zesty undertones, smell, and delectable flavour make it an enjoyable method to soothe and raise your mood.


Lemon balm is regarded as safe to take on a regular basis by the majority of people. Some doctors even recommend it to help infants who are teething.  Additionally, several people take it to treat anxiety and seasonal affective disorder, as well as to boost their mood and stress levels.


3. Ashwagandha:


Ashwagandha belongs to a class of herbs known as 'adaptogens,' which impact the systems and hormones that govern a person's stress response. Ashwagandha has a long history of usage in traditional Indian, or Ayurveda, medicine.


4. Chamomile:


Chamomile is another wonderful herb for relieving stress and calming the mind. Chamomile has been demonstrated in studies to have anxiolytic effects in those with mild to moderate generalised anxiety disorder, as well as antidepressant activities. Chamomile is thought to be especially good for people who experience rage and inflammation when stressed.


5. Valerian:


Those who consumed valerian reported experiencing less worry and tension in certain studies. Valerian is usually considered safe at recommended doses, but because long-term safety investigations are lacking, limit your use to a few weeks at a time unless your doctor allows it. It may produce headaches, dizziness, and sleepiness as adverse effects.