The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Soaked Chia Seeds
Posted by Rm Az (Sedona, Az) on 09/14/2013
★★★★★
Anxiety- Cure- Soaked Chia Seeds
Preparation- Soak 2 table spoons chia seeds in any beverage for 10-15 minutes, can be longer. Drink 3 x morning, noon, and night. Produces awesome calm in all situations, no matter where you are or what you are doing, job interviews, social situations, work. Just start loving life. Might have something to do with an actually assimable plant based form of L-tryphtophan with all it's naturally occuring co-factors? You can try it in water, or unsweetened ice-tea, or natural lemonade with Apple Cider Vinegar and stevia and lemon juice and water. You'll need to put it in a shaker cup or a bottle with cap that you can vigorously shake from time to time while they are soaking. Enjoy
Valerian Root, 5-HTP
Posted by Mama To Many (Middle Tennessee Usa) on 09/03/2013
Hi Lauren,
Regarding your son taking 5 - HTP, I don't know what the recommendations are for children. For me however, I would feel more comfortable with that than prescription medications. If you try it, You could do a half a capsule (empty half out) and see how he does with that.
I think you are wise to avoid prescriptions for his ADHD. I am guessing you have probably already tried a lot of things... Just in case, I will mention that food dye makes one of my children very hyper. So, there could be some things you might want to avoid if you haven't already.
An Epsom Salt bath at bedtime might be good to relax him. (1 cup per 20 minute bath - my kids love it. ) I put a drop of lavender in the bath for my one that is high energy (even without the food dye! ) Sleepytime tea is also great at bedtime - even 1/2 cup. My children love it.
Hope you both start getting better rest soon!
~Mama to Many~
Chamomile Tea
Posted by Michelle (New York, NY) on 07/16/2013
★★★★★
Chamomile tea with honey before bed will help to ease anxiety, and help you sleep better. More sleep will also help to lessen anxiety even more. Good luck!
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Posted by Robin (Rural, Va) on 03/18/2013
★★★★★
I take Acetyl L-Carnitine for Generalized Anxiety Disorder and it is fantastic. I take one or two 40mg capsules a day.
Valerian
Posted by Samantha (Abbotsford, Bc, Canada) on 02/02/2013
★★★★★
I've also had success with Valarian root for anxiety. I started having episodes of mania and rancing thoughts, with an inability to fall asleep. My brain just would not shut off and I thought I was going crazy; it was unsettling and felt like my nerves were totally shot. I bought another sleep aid (I was currently only taking melatonin) and it had valarian root combined with hops and lemon balm. It helped a lot and I could actually fall asleep again and stay sleeping throughout the night.
I then noticed during the day when it would wear off and saw how much it helped my general anxiety and took half doses as needed. It's incredibly calming and soothing and helps relax my muscles and all the tension in my brain. It's made a huge difference getting through an incredibly stressful time. I hope this helps someone else too!
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)
Posted by Steve (Las Vegas, Nv Nevada) on 02/02/2013
★★★★★
I have used EFT to cure my anxiety, fears, sadnesses, and all types of pain too numerous to mention. It's such an easy technique to learn and use you can try it for almost any issue. If you don't get results there are plenty of other energy healing modalities that will be helpful. Here is a chart I use and with the tapping points and also a chart that explains what each point does energetically:
http://www.freewebs.com/stevelevine/efttappingpoints.htm
Probiotics
Posted by Alisha (Boston, Ma Usa) on 03/03/2012
★★★★★
I suffered with crippling anxiety for about 9 years (at first it was just feeling sick when I was out in a place I knew I couldn't just leave... Then it turned to agoraphobia). I was put on every anti anxiety med at one point or another throughout those years. I tried yoga, therapy, herbal remedies and a few self help programs. Finally, I went to see a naturopathic doctor for the first time. She realized that, while I didn't feel sick to my stomach all the time, my anxiety was caused by imbalances of the gut. Enter a broad spectrum enzyme at meals and probiotics (I started with 50 BILLION dose and now I take a maintenance dose of 16 Billion). That really helped my particular anxiety.
However, while I was waiting for my gut to heal and these two treasures to do their thing, she also had me taking 200 mg of L-theanine, a component found in green tea in smaller doses. This is the most reassuring little supplement! It takes about 15 minutes to kick in and you just feel more in control. It worked better than any anxiety med I was taking and it has no side effects. I highly recommend it - it's worked for the rest of my family and a few friends. Look it up on the web - there's lots of good third party sites about the effects.
Calm Down
Posted by Cindy (Orange County, Ca) on 07/26/2012
★★★★★
When I first saw "calm down" above I scoffed -- because that's the hardest thing to do when you're really anxious!! After reading the post, though, I must admit it helps. I am prone to impatience and skyrocketing anxiety if I don't work on keeping it under control. I have trained myself to never respond immediately to really frustrating or anxiety-provoking situations or people. I walk away, take a break, let voicemail screen calls and put replies in email only after I have calmed down. This helps me immensely so that my responses are driven by rational thinking, rather than frantic, anxious thinking, and it goes a long way in preserving my good relationships with others :)
Lydia Pinkham Tablets
Posted by Dianec (Los Angeles, California) on 10/19/2011
★★★★★
What has helped me in the past for "nerves" is an old-fashioned help aid for woman known as Lydia Pinkham Tablets!
It didn't help me until 2 weeks of taking it so don't give up and continue to take the tablets everyday as directed. It got to the point of even if I tried to be nervous I couldn't get nervous for nothing!
Order them at your drug store or buy them on-line. (I am not affiliated with this product). I've only used the product. Brought to my attention by a friend of the family.
Deep Breathing
Posted by Lmp (Long Island, Ny) on 07/25/2011
★★★★★
There is no right or wrong way to meditate. So take what other people give you and find your own way. I have carved out a small corner in one of the rooms in my house as my meditation corner. I keep my stuff there and usually meditate in the same place every day - although I will meditate in other rooms or outside if I feel called to do so. I don't really need much - I have a pillow to sit on, a candle that I light, my journal and occassionally I use lavendar oil. I also usually set a timer so I know how long I've meditated for. I light my candle, open my journal to a fresh page, and sit in a cross legged position, upright, with a straight and long spine. I do maybe 5-10 deep belly breaths... First focusing on my 3rd eye (the space in between your eyebrows), then focusing on the rising the breath up from my belly to my chest. Then I release the breath and just breath normally. And I just sit there. If a thought comes in, I don't judge it, I don't fight it - I just let it be. I let everything be - my thoughts, my breath, etc. In most of our lives we do the exact opposite - we are never happy just being... We are always trying to strive for me, be different, change and control things, etc. So in meditation I focus on just being. In the beginning its hard. I would keep my journal handy bc inadvertantly I would run through list after list of things I needed to do or remember. So I would write it down during meditation so I could get it out of my head. I started off with 10 mins once a day and literally it was 10 mins of to do lists. But I let it be. And eventually made my way up to 20 mins twice a day. I started noticing the to do lists would fade and I would just be sitting there enjoying being in the present moment, when all of a sudden it was 20 mins later.
The theory is that the more stillness you can bring to your mind through consistant meditation, the more still it will become... Sort of like working out a muscle. Also the more you connect with your spirit, higher self, the Divine, etc - the more you attract good things and the higher emotions into your life... Rather than lettting the mind and ego run rampant with lower emotions and thinking bad things. I will also sometimes ask "what do I need to know" and see what messages I get. Or sometimes I will do visualizations of living life without anxiety. I always end my meditation with prayer - gratitude first, and then what I need to help me serve other people.
I have tried MANY things for anxiety - and this has hands down been the most important practice in my arsenal. I can only hope that it does for you what it has done for me. Please feel free to reply back with any questions - I would love to help in any way I can.
You also have to keep believing that there is hope and that you will get better.... bc you will.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Posted by Zander (Ohio) on 07/26/2014
★★★★★
I agree with your assessment about acetyl l-carnitine. I experienced relief almost immediately today [about 20 minutes] after taking 500 mg. I had ordered a formulation for Memory & Brain but had no idea it would have the calmative properties it had. I experience fairly intentense restless anxiety from time to time. It produces such a helpless & hopeless feeling. I was not expecting this to provide relief for anxiety at all but there was no mistaking the calm which came over me.
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Posted by Timh (KY) on 07/27/2014 2042 posts
Zander: I think your testimony about the two mentioned nutrients makes a fine illustration of how the modern western life w/ all the stressors and toxins can deplete our nutritional & antioxidant status.
I would recommend broad spectrum nutritional supplementation w/ extra antioxidants. Also, many herbs w/ many benefits for your health. I have been using nutrition (supplements for many yrs and am still learning new stuff and have literally spared my life from severe environmental illness.
Apples, Water
Posted by Spike (Orlando, florida) on 05/11/2009
★★★★☆
I had years of horrible irrational anxiety while driving. I discovered that something in apples releived much of my anxiety----maybe it was just the distraction, but it worked. Later, I read that dehydration (thirst) is a contributing factor in anxiety. I started taking a bottle of water with me in the car and that works great. Im not cured, but, way better.
Try it, hope it helps.
B Complex
Posted by Laura (Honolulu, HI) on 03/19/2009
★★★★★
I am a chronicly (sp?) anxious person. B complex really helps with it. It gives you energy when you don't want to get out of bed and it makes you able to resolve the things you're so busy worrying about. I take it every day- I did here though, that it's kinda hard on your kidneys. I try to take a few days off a month to give my body a break. Hope this helps!
5-HTP
Posted by Bodulica (Barrie, Ontario, Canada) on 03/12/2013
My reaction to 5-HTP was terrible. Felt like I ingested a poison. Very sick, felt like fainting, headache...
5-HTP
Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 09/04/2013
Hello Chadi:
I didn't see if "Molly" had responded to you. You ask if Acetyl Carnitine is the same as L Carnitine. They are not. Carnitine is used for fat removal and to help those exercising to use fat for energy... the chemistry of the mitochrondria is involved.
Acetyl l Carnitine, is a derivative of Carnitine and is primarily used as brain protection, being able to penetrate the blood brain barrier.
5-HTP
Posted by Susanne (Indianapolis, In) on 11/30/2007
★★★★★
I began taking 5-HTP for depression and anxiety and sleeplessness during a very emotionally stressful breakup. I have Not had an anxity attack since 3-07 which I had suffered from off and on for several years. I sleep so much better. I am able to think clearer and stay focused and concentrate so much better as well as improved my memory. I am thankful for this. My dr. wanted to put me on Wellbutrine. NO Thank U!
Cold Showers
Posted by Mike (Elberta, Alabama) on 02/14/2007
★★★★★
I read about the cold shower and placed it somewhere in the back of my mind because I received news that I was going to have surgery and be out for 8 weeks (torn Achilles tendon which I have found no natural cure) I remembered the cold shower and started out with warm and raised the cold water and after I dried off the stress was gone and I felt great and looked at the surgery as an opportunity to catch up much needed paper work at home. Thanks for the cold shower
Cold Showers
Posted by Sharon (NYC) on 08/22/2006
★★★★★
I read about cold showers on your site a few months ago. Since then whenever an anxiety attack hits me, I jump into a cold shower and stay there for about 5 minutes until I warm up. I am amazed at how fast it works to diminish anxiety. It must correct brain chemistry.
B Complex
Posted by Dee (USA) on 02/24/2006
★★★★★
I have found that taking B complex vitamins work very well for depression and anxiety. Also repeating positive affirmations like "I am healing" while imagining a white light covering your entire body has worked very well for me! Much peace to you all!!
Niacinamide
Posted by Tom (Regina, Sk) on 09/15/2010
L-Tryphophan and B Vitamins
Posted by Rosiland (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico) on 01/11/2023
★★★★★
L-Tryptophan and B vitamins conquer anxiety-related alcoholism
I was very concerned for my husband, who is hypersensitive (and was getting more so all the time) had severe anxiety issues, constant brain chatter, severe insomnia and drank way, way too much (it was the only way he could calm down).
On discovering Earth Clinic and while searching for stenosis for myself, I came across Ted's advice on alcoholism. I went over all his advice thoroughly and decided on the following once a day:
- L-Tryptophan 1500mg
- Vit B-6 100 mg
- and a Raw B-Complex.
My husband agreed to give it a try. I didn't notice anything for about 4 days then, all of a sudden, we both noticed that his anxiety levels and drinking had greatly reduced. And all this in the middle of stressful issues that were coming at us one after the other. After a week, my husband noticed that he was feeling sleepy in the mornings after taking the supplements. So we reduced the dosage from 3 capsules (1500mg) to 2 and that has stayed at that level. It has been nearly a month and we are both delighted with the results! I am so thankful to this Earth Clinic site and to Ted's advice which was exactly what we needed!
Chia Oil
Posted by Irina (New York, NY) on 05/30/2022
★★★★★
Hi Pacific Coast Lady - Good luck on weaning off the clonazepam. I don't know if I'm allowed to name the brand here, but if you google "organic edible chia seed oil artisan cold pressed" the brand I'm using will come right up! I've found that the chia seeds also help my anxiety, but I need to take a lot more than just a teaspoon a day - I take 2 teaspoons 3X a day or even 1 tablespoon 3X a day. Someone at the company I bought the chia oil from told me that 1 tablespoon of the oil = 3 tablespoons of the seeds. The seeds also do help with my anxiety/hyperthyroid symptoms, but I do think the oil is even more powerful. You could take both if you need to. When I take 1 teaspoon of the oil 3X a day, I don't feel the need to also take the seeds, I already feel almost too calm doing that. Good luck! Please post back and let us know if it works for you!
Serpina
Posted by Joseph A, (Stockton, Ca) on 11/07/2021 73 posts
This reply is a lil late since I don't receive all comments, nor am I on this site each day. The question is regarding taking SERPINA with high blood pressure. As far as I know it is safe, however keep in mind that this Serpina was originally produced to lower blood pressure in 1934. I did see it on line and at Amazon for sale. It does help with Insomnia, mental illness, Anxiety, and much more. Interacts with cold flu medicine, antipsychotic medications. Sorry I was late but I forgot about checking fir reply's. Thank you. Joseph
Wormwood Combo
Posted by Reza (Tehran, Iran) on 03/25/2020
★★★★★
Hey Rexine, I must say that I feel the same about the wormwood medicine. I wake up less neurotic and at ease, something that I'm not even familiar with . Great recommendation!
Holy Basil
Posted by Mel (California) on 05/03/2016
I realized that in my original post. My point should have been that biting into the Holy Basil capsules and letting them sublingually absorb, rather than just swallowing them whole or just drinking the HB tea seems to reduce the stomach upset that many supplements give me and it seems to work better and faster than having the HB capsules digest in my stomach. Plus I think I heard that HB oil is good for dental hygiene so having that oil coating may be doing some good for my teeth and gums I hope.
GABA
Posted by Ben (Bremerton, Washington ) on 03/12/2016
As far as I am concerned, bht butylated hydroxy toluene sounds like trouble. First off there are conflicting reports of its carcinogenic effects. Then the substance is known to have harmful effects on gut microflora. Aside from that there are numerous other methods of stopping hep-c, hiv and other viruses that are not potentially dangerous. When in doubt I usually err on the side of caution, but that is just my opinion.
