Butterflies flitting in the pit of the stomach, breathlessness, sweating, dry mouth, and hyperventilation are symptoms of anxiety. Let us explore some home remedies for anxiety, which can keep the chills from running down the spine.

Anxiety home remedies

Anxiety has been existent since prehistoric times, as it came into play in the fight and flight mechanism, while our ancestors were living in the wild. The secretion of adrenaline during such times braced up the prey to fight or evade the eventuality. The preexistent warning system is evident even in modern man as well. Anxiety as a byproduct of stress is often manifest when the problem foreseen is magnified.  Consequently, the duration of anxiety can be long-term or short-term depending on the trigger and, the symptoms also last accordingly. Anxiety can hamper normal metabolic process causing constipation or diarrhea along with other symptoms. Home remedies for the condition will subdue the symptoms and explore the triggers, which can cause anxiety.

Effective home remedies for anxiety

• Almonds as the “king of nuts”, is a good home remedy for anxiety. Soak a handful of almonds overnight. Peel the skin, and put the almonds in a blender. Mix the paste with milk and drink it on empty stomach. Oodles of health, goodness and anxiety-quashing qualities of almonds get into the body system to give relief.

• Eat vegetables rich in potassium and folic acid, the deficiency of which can weaken the nervous system and cause nervousness. Celery and onions top the list of veggies rich in these nutrients. Eat 2 cups of celery and 1 onion raw or cooked, everyday and get those “butterflies shooed away to nowhere!”.

• The peel of an orange has been used as an effective home remedy for anxiety. Remove the peel of an orange and inhale. Or take the peel and simmer it a closed pot containing water for 15-20 minutes. Open the pot and inhale the fumes of the orange-oil infused water.

• Rosemary, since ancient times, has been used as a nervous system relaxant. Rosemary tea made out of steeping the leaves in boiling water can be very useful to “diffuse” anxiety. Inhaling the fumes of rosemary sprigs helps as well.

• Baking soda comes out of the “culinary confines” as a soothing home remedy for stress. Add 1/3 cup of baking soda along with 1/3^rd cup o ginger to a warm bath and soak for about 20 minutes. The combination helps to relieve anxiety and stress.

• Massaging with sunflower, coconut or sesame oil can “iron out the wrinkles”, by helping to bring down anxiety levels. Warm the oil and apply it all over the body especially on the scalp, the soles,  the neck region(use a rolling pin if possible). Massage in the morning before a bath.

• Relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises and yoga prove to be an effective home remedy for anxiety in the long term. Practice deep breathing exercise whenever you feel under the grip of anxiety.

• Some bit of mental and emotional tuning can set right the body’s response and reaction mechanisms to environmental stress.

Points of caution

• The home remedies mentioned above may not be suitable to pregnant women or nursing mothers as there are several hormone triggers during such conditions.

• If the symptoms of anxiety do not subside with any of the home remedies, it is imperative to consult a psychologist or a counselor.

The home remedies for anxiety will release you from its grip and help you breathe easy, a pace at a time, slowly and steadily.

Photo courtesy : .natural-homeremedies.com