Anxiety and Depression are serious conditions that negatively affect millions of Americans from time to time. This article is a non medical discussion and presentation of natural, native, herbal and/or homeopathic treatments for anxiety and depression.

Anxiety

Anxiety is the body's and mind's approach to a dangerous or distressing situation. Everyone experiences some degree of anxiety at some time in their life.

Anxiety can occur persistently, caused by perceived situations of threat. When this happens anxiety interferes with normal activities. When this happens the event is called an Anxiety Disorder.

Symptoms may include irritability, difficulty concentrating, and muscle tension, particularly in the head, neck and back. Conventional medicine aims to relieve symptoms of persistent anxiety with drug therapy and to treat any underlying disorders or conflicts with psychotherapy.

Alternative Options -

The following alternative options, remedies or treatments are not meant to replace advice from your medical doctor - you should discuss, review or inform your doctor before trying or using them.

Repeat Yourself

Select a word or sound that is pleasing to you, and say it over and over again to yourself with your eyes closed. In India, devotees of meditation call this a mantra. Weirdly enough, the word does not even have to mean anything. It can be complete gibberish, but if you chant it long enough, you will calm down anyway.

Swallow minute amounts of poison (consult doctor first)

Popular homeopathic remedies for anxieties include aconite and arsenicum, which are highly toxic. But in homeopathy, doses are so diluted that a chemist might not be able to detect any trace of the main ingredient. None-the-less, homeopathic medicines seemed to produce desired results for thousands of people. See a homeopath or check with your local drugstore which may stock ready-made homeopathic remedies for anxiety. Do notify your doctor of your intentions before trying any homeopathic remedy to make sure what you plan to do does not conflict with other medicines you may be taking.

Plants and Herbs

Herb treatments for anxiety It has been shown that anxiety and depression can be treated with herbs to include Chamomile usually taken in the form of tea and is known to aid in sleep problems. St. John's Wort is known to aid in depression and anxiety. Evening Primrose is helpful in treating symptoms of PMS. In the best supplements, only the standardized extracts of herbs are used and the reason for this is this is where the most active ingredients are located.

To be sure you are getting the purest supplement and that you are getting what the label says you are getting, the supplement should be of pharmaceutical grade and have had the metabolic pathways of the ingredients checked at the molecular level. The interactions of the ingredients should have been evaluated as well. This information should be found somewhere on the label or you can email or telephone the company if you are unsure.

Excercise

Yoga, aerobic exercise, and other forms of exercise help to release chemicals in the brain that control pleasure and mood. Be sure that you check with your doctor before implementing an exercise program to be sure it is safe for you.

Follow the Pied Piper

Legend has it that the Pied Piper of story book fame lured the rats from a city by inticing them with a herb called Valerian ( Valeriana officinalis ). This is an herb whose pungent odor reminds many persons of dirty socks Never the less valerian is one of the plant worlds most potent sedatives.

Sniff a Sprig of Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia is an essential oil that Aromatherapists say produced by the lovely lavender garden plant. The plant or oil when sniffed works wonders to ease jangled nerves.

Squeeze Your Thumb

Practitioners of jin shin jyutsu, a Japanese touch therapy based on the principles of acupuncture, link various emotions with each finger. Worry is said to be the domain of the thumb. Press it gently with your other hand until you feel yourself relaxing.

Breath Easy with the Bible

Anxious Amish folk sometimes retire to a quiet spot and read the 23rd Psalm. Then they close their eyes and breathe deeply, allowing the psalm;s wisdom to soothe them.

Watch Your Worries Go Up In Smoke

Indians in Mexico and some parts of the US Southwest burn rosemary to drive out evil spirits and purify a person who is suffering from anxiety. Inhale the woody aroma from a burning sprig or from rosemary incense to ease anxiety.

Veg Out

Some persons in the eastern US relieve anxiety by eating two cups of raw or cooked onions and celery with every meal for a week or two.

It would be appreciated if readers would comment on these, provide more remedies and/or information for the benefit of all readers.