Herbs and Anxiety

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

Go Three Days Without Food But Never A Day Without Green Tea

Author: Steve P Smith

Article:
Green tea became well known in China during the period of the
Tang dynasty (AD 618-907) and was quickly prized as a promoter
of health and vitality. There's good evidence, however, that its
many benefits had already been known to the elite for thousands
of years by then. In fact legend tells of a stray camellia
blossom, drifting on the breeze one day in 2737 BC, which found
its way into the Emperor Shen Nung's steaming drinking water and
quickly infused it with all the characteristic refreshment and
invigoration we associate with green tea.

So renowned did the benefits of green tea become that detailed
rules of etiquette for its correct consumption emerged,
culminating in the publication of Lu Yu's "The Classic Art of
Tea". This famous poet and Buddhist priest laid down strict
procedures for the preparation and serving of the perfect cup of
tea. The water had to come from a gently flowing stream and be
combined with leaves in a fine porcelain cup. And the resulting
brew of green tea was ideally to be drunk next to a lily pond in
the company of a beautiful woman.

Not surprisingly, given this kind of marketing, the popularity
of green tea spread rapidly throughout China in the centuries
following the publication of Lu Yu's work. "Rather three days
without food than a day without tea" became the saying, as news
reached the remotest corners of the vast empire. Books and poems
were composed in green tea's honour; Emperors gave particularly
prized samples as gifts, and the teahouse became a familiar
feature of countless cities, towns and villages.

So just what are the health benefits of drinking green tea? The
Chinese knew it from earliest times as an aid to good digestion
when consumed after a meal, stimulating the absorption of
nutrients from food; and it's since also become known as a
powerful anti-oxidant and detoxifying agent which can speed the
flushing of toxins from the body. But there's far more to green
tea than this.

Most importantly, leaves for green tea are steamed rather than
fermented, preserving the vital Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)
compound. EGCG is just one of a number of catechin polyphenols
found in tea, but research suggests that it's a particularly
powerful anti-oxidant, the presence of which makes green tea
anything up to ten times more powerful than the more common
fermented (black) teas.

In fact, today's Western science is increasingly confirming the
health benefits long claimed for the consumption of green tea.
And as amazing as it may seem, EGCG and related compounds in
green tea appear directly to target the most common killer
diseases often attributed to western affluence and diet. Some
research, for example, has credited EGCG with the ability to
reduce total levels of cholesterol whilst at the same time
improving the ratio of "good" (HDL) cholesterol to "bad" (LDL)
cholesterol; thereby helping to protect against both heart
attacks and strokes - still two of the most frequent premature
killers in the Western world.

Some exciting Swiss research published by the American Journal
of Clinical Nutrition in November 1999 also suggests that green
tea may help with the increasing problem of obesity by prompting
the body to burn fat at a significantly increased rate.

But perhaps most excitingly, there's now evidence that green tea
may even help in tackling cancer. For example, in 1994 the
Journal of the National Cancer Institute published the results
of a study indicating that drinking green tea reduced the risk
of oesophageal cancer in Chinese people by almost sixty percent.
And University of Purdue researchers recently concluded that as
few as four or five cups of green tea a day may provide enough
EGCG to help retard the growth of tumours - and this without
apparent damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Now if after reading all of the above you're just raring to add
green tea to your daily dietary regime I wouldn't blame you at
all. In fact I'd actively encourage you. But it's only fair to
give you the whole picture. And that means pointing out that the
consumption of large amounts of green tea could risk adding some
caffeine to your normal intake.

Let me put this in perspective though. A standard six to eight
ounce cup of green tea will contain between 30 and 60 milligrams
of caffeine. A similar size cup of coffee will likely contain
more than 100 milligrams. So just replace a couple of cups of
your normal coffee intake with your recommended four to five
cups of green tea and your caffeine intake's going to stay
level. But if you want to eliminate caffeine entirely then
caffeine-free green teas are now becoming readily available.

So you can enjoy all the benefits cited above without any of the
possible side-effects of caffeine, and with ever increasing
interest in the health promoting properties of green tea, new
benefits are coming to light all the time. Already for example,
the anti-oxidant (ie anti-ageing) qualities of the tea are being
applied to the manufacture of skin care products.

These applications may still seem a little far-fetched to you
right now, but in terms of your internal organism there's no
longer any doubt that green tea is truly one of nature's great
gifts - a very inexpensive but extremely valuable health
booster.

About the author:
Steve Smith is a freelance copywriter specialising in direct
marketing and with a particular interest in health products.
Find out more at
http://www.sisyphuspublicationsonline.com/LiquidNutrition/GreenTe
a.htm

Can I Experience Fat Loss With Tea?

Author: Matt Murren

Article:
Is it possible to experience fat loss by drinking a liquid tea?
According to some experts, the answer might be yes. For
centuries, tea leaves and the liquid that comes from brewing the
leaves, has been used to increase weight, and fat loss. Now,
some companies are attempting to bring that same thing back into
the current dieting market.

Diet products are one of the most lucrative markets in the
world, with billions of dollars spent every year on the newest,
and most improved dieting and weight loss products. Everyone it
seems is trying to find the newest, hottest, and best working
products. They will try pills, rubs, and scrubs but many seem
unaware of the fat loss that can be found by drinking a liquid
tea.

Ancient civilizations such as the Mayans and Egyptians
understood the miracles of drinking a liquid tea to experience
fat, and weight loss. These cultures brewed the tea leaves in
water, and drank the liquid which helped to promote fat and
weight loss. Some companies are now hoping that the same thing
can be used today to work the same way.

Tea is being used to promote fat and weight loss through two
ways; in pill form, and in liquid form. Certain companies are
adding the tea into a tablet form. Most of these pills also
include other products beyond the tea including herbs and
vitamins that aid in fat loss; the pills are then condensed and
taken with some form of liquid, usually a glass of water. These
pills are available over the counter, and some of the biggest
diet manufacturers in the world are producing products with tea
inside.

The other way tea is used to promote fat loss is by drinking the
liquid. Tea leaves, in particular green tea leaves are mixed
with water over a high heat, and brewed. The tea leaves are
extracted, and the remaining liquid drank to promote fat loss.
Some companies are beginning to market this towards busy people,
by taking all of the guesswork out of the process. Instead of
forcing the consumer, or shopper, to buy the leaves, and do the
process of brewing the leaves, they do all the work. The tea
leaves are brewed, the liquid extracted, and the finished
product placed in a can that touts the fat loss benefits of the
drink. The tea is sold in the diet aisle, as well as in the
refrigerated section of most stores. The tea is available in
both glass bottles, and aluminum cans.

Tea has been used for centuries to fat and weight loss,
especially in a liquid form. The tea works by increasing the
amount of vitamins taken in by the body, which lowers the need
for additional foods. In other words, the tea makes the body
feel full, lowering the need to eat other foods. Tea can also
increase the body's metabolism, which helps the body burn more
calories and burn calories faster. The end result is a liquid
tea that helps the body with fat loss.

About the author:
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Green Tea and Weight Loss Herbs

Author: Sandra Rouse

Article:
Various clinical studies have been made regarding the benefits
of green tea and its properties. Some believe that green tea
extract combined with other herbs that have weight loss
properties are extremely beneficial.

Weight Loss Herbs

There are a number of natural herbs that contribute to weight
loss. Gugulipid, sap from the mokul myrrh tree in India, has
been shown to augment the metabolic rate of the body and help
with thermogenesis, thus leading to weight loss. Gugulipid has
also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and to lower
cholesterol levels.

It is a fairly nontoxic product. Some side-effects are possibly
a mild skin rash or GI upset/diarrhea. Studies show that it does
not adversely affect liver or kidney function or blood sugar
levels in diabetic patients.

How to Maximize Weight Loss with Green Tea

A standardized weight loss herbal extract of green tea is needed
to maximize weight loss. There are several non-standardized
green tea weight loss products on the market. They are cheaper
but do not contain enough active green tea substances to have
any significant weight loss benefits.

You may achieve better weight loss results if you choose a
product that contains a rich blend of green tea, herbs,
minerals, and nutrients that aid in weight loss.

How to Buy a Green Tea Weight Loss Product

When buying a green tea product, determine if the manufacturer
of the green tea extract follows strict GMP compliance
standards. This is the manufacturing standard used throughout
the world. The GMP approval assures you that you are getting a
product of the highest quality.

Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994,
herbal products such as green tea are considered dietary
supplements. This means that the success or effectiveness of
these products do not have a guarantee. You should not patronize
companies or manufacturers that claim 100% success in their
green tea products. This is false advertising.

About the author:
Sandra researches and writes about topics that affect our daily
life. Read more about green tea at
http://www.a-green-tea-guide.com

Tips For Preventing Common Cold

Author: Nelson Lee

Article:
Your nose and its nasal membranes are very sensitive. Nose is
one of the body parts which are easily affected by the
environment. It is very important to take good care of your
nose. A common problem that affects everybody at any time is the
common cold. It is the most common of all human diseases. There
is no evidence that cold weather causes more colds. With or
without medication, the cold or the flu can give you real
trouble. Symptoms include sneezing, sore throat, sniffling,
blocked nose, scratchy, sore, coughing and tiredness. Because of
the large number of different cold viruses, the immunity is of
limited use. A person can therefore easily be infected by
another cold virus. The average adult has two to four colds per
year, but some people have less and others have more. Children
in school environments are exposed to more viruses and can have
as many as 12 cold per year.



The causes of common cold symptoms are well known. The infection
causes are dust, pollutions. A large number of different viruses
are believed to be causes of common cold. One of them, the
rhinovirus, can remain active on skin and other surfaces for as
long as three hours.



Preventing the common cold is a matter of practicing good health
habits and maintaining a healthy immune system. In order to
prevent or avoid a cold, try to avoid close contact with those
who have begun to show symptoms or an existing sufferers,
parents who are caring for a sick child should wash their hands
often. Hand washing removes the viruses, you are less likely to
become infected with them if you avoid touching your nose, face,
eyes, and mouth before you wash your hands with soap and water.
Bad habits such as nose-picking, sniffing, massage with hard
hand (rubbing), blowing the noses hard or stuffing things such
as tissue, and handkerchiefs up to the nostril can do a lot of
harm to your nose. Antibiotics neither kill viruses, nor shorten
the duration of viral infections. They are only effective
against bacterial infections. Antibiotics are ineffective and
should not be taken for common cold prevention. Good nutrition
obviously plays a role in overall good health. A diet that is
rich in fruits and vegetables, low in fats, oils and sugars are
recommended. In other words, a good daily multi-vitamin, in
addition to a well balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and
whole grains can be good for a common cold and for overall good
health. If symptoms last for a few weeks, it is advised to take
a visit to the doctor.



There are some tips to get better from this problem. Foods that
make you feel better, like warm soups. Green tea can increase
energy and boost the immune system. The infected persons are
recommended to get plenty of rest, some experts recommend them
to take a lot of supplements of vitamins C or zinc and drink a
lot of water. Vitamins A, C, E and the mineral zinc are also
necessary for proper immune system function. It is also
important to follow the manufacturers recommended dosage. Fruit
juices may helpful. It helps the immune system get the vitamin C
that it needs to fight the infection.



If you have common cold, then you should save yourself to go
these areas in which dust and smoke exist. Your pillow may tend
to collect dust mites rapidly. That is why you might want to
consider buying an OCA Water Pillow. Along with dust mites that
are probably covering your pillows, is the pillow you are using
in the privacy of your healthy? By using OCA Water Pillow, it
helps to reduce or prevent nostril allergy. OCA Water Pillow,
the safety pillow for you to sleep.



About the author:
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