Author: Mary Ann Copson
Article:
Copyright (c) 2007 Mary Ann Copson
If you have ever had a panic attack, you don't look forward to
getting another one. The "fight-or flight" response in your body
is involuntarily turned on and your nervous system signals your
adrenal glands to start pumping out stress hormones to get you
ready to either run away or turn and fight.
Your muscles tense, your heartbeat speeds up, and your breathing
becomes more rapid. You might feel like you are smothering, get
claustrophobic or experience an urgency to get away. On top of
that, you may get hot flashes, sweating, and/or chills and
trembling, plus numbness, tingling sensations, dizziness, and
nausea.
You become overwhelmed by an extreme sense of fear and impending
disaster and you lose your ability to think calmly and clearly
while experiencing a distorted sense of time and a feeling of
unreality.
In the face of a physical threat, accident, or natural disaster,
this type of response is normal and can be life-saving. But
panic attacks that occur unexpectedly in the presence of normal
events can be debilitating. They may happen with no forewarning,
at any time of the day or night, and last several seconds or
more than half an hour.
The triggers for panic attacks are unpredictable. Most panic
attacks are set off by some minor or major stressor. But panic
attacks also can be triggered by changes in emotions, or as a
response to certain drugs, foods, allergies (including hidden
food allergies), hypoglycemia, and illnesses.
A panic attack is an example of an acute anxiety disorder and
can affect teens to middle-agers and beyond. Women are reported
to experience panic attacks twice as often as men but some
believe that is only because men are more reticent to report
panic attacks.
Recent studies point to a complex set of causes and panic
attacks are regarded as a treatable psychobiological condition
(i.e. having both psychological and biological causes).
Successful resolution of panic attacks requires an integrated,
multi-modality approach.
Even though panic attacks are not a simple condition and there
are no simple answers for their successful resolution, herbal
therapy can be useful as part of an integrated, multi-modality
approach.
When you experience anxiety, your body releases a set of
neurotransmitters called catecholamines, which stimulate your
central nervous system and activate your sympathetic nervous
system. Sometimes your sympathetic nervous system (the high
alert part of your nervous system) can get stuck in the "on"
mode leaving you in an ongoing state of anxiety - a fertile
ground for panic attacks.
A class of herbs called nervines helps to turn off the
sympathetic nervous system by gently facilitating the
functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system - the part of
the nervous system that prompts relaxation - helping us to wind
down and come off "high alert".
It is a good idea to experiment with different anti-anxiety
herbs before you are in a crisis or panic situation. Try out
several herbs in varying doses. Start with a low dose and
increase if needed so that you will know how the herb affects
you and how to use it when you need it.
Some effective herbal nervines to consider using:
Oatstraw (Avena sativa) - the green milky tops of oatstraw
provide a wonderful soothing, nourishing and gentle herb for
frayed and stressed nervous systems. Oatstraw has a restorative
effect on an exhausted nervous system reliably strengthening the
whole nervous system after prolong stress. Oatstraw has both an
immediate effect (useful when experiencing extreme nervousness
and anxiety) and a more long-term restorative effect. Oatstraw
is well tolerated by even highly sensitive people and is used
for nervous debility, stress, weak nerve and energy force,
anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and general fatigue.
German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla/ Matricaria recutita) -
an all time favorite -because it works. Chamomile tones the
nervous system, relaxes your muscles and calms nervous
digestion. It has mild sedating properties and is not as strong
an herbal sedative as valerian or passionflower. However,
chamomile is a great option for anxiety in children or teens and
for anxiety associated with mild sleep problems. If you are
allergic to ragweed, asters, or chrysanthemums you are better
off choosing another anti-anxiety herb.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) -has mild sedative properties
and is useful in conditions of nervous agitation with sleep
problems and digestive complaints. Lemon balm is especially
useful for over-anxiety that causes digestive problems such as
nausea, bloating, and colic like pains. Traditionally lemon balm
was used to lift the spirits and encourage longevity. Lemon balm
is a relaxing tonic for anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and
mild depression and its actions will quiet the racing heart that
often accompanies anxiety. It has mild anti-thyroid effects and
is best avoided by people with hypothyroid problems.
Skullcap (Scutellaria laterifolia) -tonifies and relaxes the
nervous system and is useful for anxiety of all types especially
anxiety and irritability that is hormonally based such as
premenstrual syndrome. It is a sedative nervine and has mild
anti-spasmodic and anti-hypertensive effects. Skullcap is a
great herb to use when your anxiety is accompanied by a runaway
mind that is stuck on worry. It is tolerated well by most people
and has few side effects.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - one of the most well known
anti-anxiety herbs, valerian is a potent herb whose active
ingredients, valepotriates, bind to benzodiazepine receptors in
the brain (similarly to the drug Valium). The use of valerian
does not, however, result in dependence or the development of
tolerance but instead tones the nervous system.
Valerian can be used to improve the sleep quality and relax both
the skeletal and smooth muscles. Valerian should not be used for
those with chronic exhaustion, adrenal fatigue, thyroid
disorders, and depression as it may increase anxiety, worsen
present symptoms, and/or result in excessive restlessness in
these conditions.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) - a strong calming,
anti-spasmodic herb that is good for severe daytime anxiety.
Passionflower is also a good choice for middle of the night
waking terrors, nightmares, and the onset of sudden anxiety
feelings. It acts as a central nervous system depressant giving
a calming, relaxing and anti-anxiety effect and is specific for
anxiety related to insomnia, muscle tension, restlessness, and
nervousness due to worry, overwork, hysteria, or excessive
excitement. If you are taking an MAO inhibitor, you should avoid
taking passionflower except under supervision.
Stress Relief Tea
Here is a simple herbal tea mixture that I have found effective
in my private practice working with women having mood and energy
problems.
Mix together equal parts of the following dry herbs:
*Oatstraw
*Lemon Balm
*Skullcap
*Nettles
*Orange
*Chamomile
Use 1-2 teaspoons of the mixture and steep covered in 8 oz. of
boiling water for 5-10 minutes.
The use of herbal nervines as part of an integrative program can
help restore a sense of calm and well being, soothe distress,
stabilize a confused and overwhelmed energy system, and foster
clear thinking.
If you are taking anti-anxiety and/or anti-depressant
medications or other medications, have a diagnosed condition or
illness, are pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly or very young it
is important to consult a knowledgeable health care practitioner
before using herbs. A licensed physician should be consulted for
diagnosis and treatment of any medical conditions.
About the author:
Mary Ann Copson is the founder of the Evenstar Mood & Energy
Wellness Center for Women. With Master's Degrees in Human
Development and Psychology and Counseling, Mary Ann is a
Certified Licensed Nutritionist; Certified Holistic Health
Practitioner; Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician; and a Health,
Wellness and Lifestyle Coach. Reconnect to your physical,
emotional, mental, psychological and spiritual natural rhythms
at http://evenstaronline.com