Anxiety can have a profound effect on one’s life.  It may affect our work and social lives, and it can wreak havoc on our relationships with others.  Prescription drugs are often effective against anxiety, but what if we prefer not to take synthetic chemicals?  Are herbal treatments a viable alternative?

The drug companies, as well as much of the medical establishment, would like us to believe that herbs are either too dangerous or just don’t work.  Yet alternative medicine practitioners and herbalists sing the praises of herbs in the fight against anxiety.  Who is right?

Lack of Evidence or Lack of Research?

Many critics of the use of herbs for anxiety (as well as other health problems) argue that there is insufficient evidence that herbal treatments are effective.  But the fact is that scientists have simply not studied them sufficiently.  Herbs are not profitable for the pharmaceutical companies because they can’t get a patent on them, so they have no motivation to fund studies of them.

The herb studies that have been undertaken have often been victims of low budgets and lack of follow-up.  Some have shown promising results, but the additional studies needed to back them up either haven’t been done or were inconclusive.  So when they say there is a lack of evidence that herbal treatments work, in most cases it’s because no one has looked for that evidence.

In spite of the absence of scientific studies, however, many herbs have developed a reputation for being effective through anecdotal evidence.  Most of the herbs that are in use today have been used for generation after generation, going back hundreds or even thousands of years.  If they were completely ineffective, chances are they would have been long since forgotten.

All Herbs Are Not Created Equal

Unfortunately, the lack of information available about herbs has made it difficult to determine which ones work best.  Although herbal supplement manufacturers must include disclaimers on their products that health claims have not been evaluated by regulatory agencies, they can still make claims that may or may not be true.  So it’s up to us to seek the truth if we want to use herbs to fight anxiety.

Herb study results are not as readily available as clinical studies on prescription medications, but they are out there.  It takes a little more effort to find them, but many are available online.  And there are plenty of testimonials to be found on the Internet by people who have tried different herbs.

Before trying any herb, it’s important to talk to your doctor and find out if any of your current medications or health conditions could pose a problem with it.  It’s also important to be aware of possible side effects.  But effective herbs for anxiety are available, and they are generally much safer than their prescription counterparts.

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