Natural Alternatives for Xanax

Nowadays, more and more people suffer from stress, nervousness, anxiety, and fatigue. All these lead to a high level of drug consumption, such as Xanax, also known as Alprazolam. But before this kind of drugs was available for almost anyone, people used medicinal plants to heal their ailments. Many herbs have a sedative effect, so they can be successfully used for calming you down.

Xanax is a tranquilizer medicine, used to mend anxiety, depression, panic disorder, irascibility, and insomnia. Its efficiency is well known, and its users’ list increases alarmingly. Without even realizing, many became addicted to Xanax.

Natural remedies are superior to Xanax by the simple fact that they come from natural sources, and their consumption does not result in addiction. It is important to mention that if the disorder is severe, it is necessary for you to see a doctor and to follow the advice and the medical treatment that he gives to you.

Herbs as passionflower (Passiflora incarnata linn), St. John’s Wort, lemon balm, lavender, valerian, hops and kava have been used for hundreds of years in traditional medicine for improving people’s moods.

Valerian

Antic civilizations from Rome and Greece have used valerian as a medicinal herb, especially in treating anxiety and sleep disorders. The modern world has made use of science to test valerian’s proprieties. Scientific researchers revealed that this herb could considerably improve the quality of sleep, without causing any side effects.

Valerian capsules are recommended mostly for healing anxiety disorders. This herb is usually combined with lemon balm and St. John’s Wort for a more powerful effect.

Warnings: Valerian and St. John’s Wort should not be used during the pregnancy and breastfeeding period. Also, these herbs can interact with some sorts of medical treatment, such as narcotics, anti-depressants, sedatives and barbiturates.

Passionflower

Alternative medicine has used passionflower as a sedative and a great anxiolytic agent. Anxiolytics are defined as anti-panic or anti-anxiety agents and they are a type of prescription medication. Xanax belongs to the group of anxiolytics. In countries like Germany, France, Switzerland, USA, Egypt, and India, passionflower is used as a remedy for nervousness and anxiety disorder for almost one thousand years.

A set of scientific research has been made on mice in order to study the effect of passionflower.  Three studies have proved the efficiency of this herb for people, too. A medical study shows that the effect of passionflower is as powerful as Oxazepam, another medication used for treating anxiety, depression or insomnia.

Warnings: The herb can interact with anti-depressants and has to be avoided in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Kava

Kava plant is also used in healing anxiety, insomnia, and other disorders. The most efficient part is its root. The ground root is used in a large variety of products, from pills to tea extracts. Some studies have demonstrated its power as an anxiolytic agent, but what is more important is that the plant has no sedative side effects.

Warnings: Despite of that, you have to know that kava herb can interact with alcohol, anti-depressants and anticonvulsants.