Those who suffer from anxiety may not always have accessibility to prescription medication for treatment. This can be because of insurance limitations, accessibility to pharmaceuticals due to distance from appropriate care, or hesitation to use psychotropic medication like Zoloft or Xanax. Luckily, many natural supplements are available as an alternative to prescription medication.
Commonly found in most pharmacies and leading vitamin or health food stores, St. John's wort has been used by patients and psychiatrists for years in the natural treatment of anxiety. According to the Mayo Clinic, St. John's Wort is effective in the treatment of depression and anxiety when taken in the correct dosage. The Mayo Clinic suggests that numerous studies report St. John's Wort to be more effective than placebo and equally effective as prescription medication for the short-term treatment of both anxiety and depression. As with any new drug, patients should first check with their physicians before beginning treatment. In the case of St. John's Wort, some evidence does suggest that medical complications or drug interactions can occur.
Another common natural treatment and alternative to prescription drugs is 5 Hydroxytryptophan, otherwise known as 5-HTP. According to 5HTP.com, Michael Murray, ND, a nutrition researcher, states that 5-HTP is an amino acid that mimics the body's natural antianxiety chemical, serotonin. When taken in higher dosages, patients will typically feel an overall "good feeling" or calmness for a short time. Also used in the treatment of depression and obesity, 5-HTP increases the level of serotonin in the brain while mediating the desire to ruminate on depressive thoughts often associated with anxiety. 5-HTP can be found in many supermarkets, drug stores and vitamin shops or can be ordered online.
One of the newer natural medications on the market for the treatment of anxiety, Seredyn is also becoming one of the more popular forms of treatment. According to Seredyn.com, the drug consists of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and common natural herbs known for their anti-anxiety qualities. One such herb, valerian, has shown to relieve certain levels of anxiety in numerous scientific studies, according to the website. When taken in doses ranging from 50 to 500 mg, valerian-based natural drugs like Seredyn can give the patient a feeling a relaxation, less worry and comfort.
