All,
Has anyone tried any natural anti-anxiety supplements that were effective?
I tried some Calmes Forte with some success.

There are so many on the market these days I just wondered if any worked.

I just can't stand the idea of taking meds during the day. St. Johns Wart didn't do much but it's more of an anti-depressant, I think. Are there any that address both anxiety and depression?

Any knowledge and insight would be appreciated. Thanks

I don't know if this is an answer you're looking for or is appropriate for you, but I sincerely believe that exercise is the best antidote for depression, stress, anxiety,etc. Any kind--jogging, swimming, lifting weights, etc. Generally I prefer solo type exercise when I'm wanting to alleviate stress or anxiety...jogging, weight resistance, lap swimming, dancercize, etc... :bouncing:

I agree with cannalee...I do take anti-anxiety meds but vigrous exercise like running helps me feel better physically and in turn alleviates my anxiety.

GABA is my favorite.

I have never taken this, but I heard that kava kava can be taken for anxiety.

Hi LittleLoneStar
Kava has some bad side effects. Some people have experienced liver damage while using it. It does work wonders, I must say, but not worth the risk to me.
I had bad anxiety for most of the past year. I stumbled upon a safe, natural, beneficial aid in relieving anxiety. I started taking omega 3 fish oil and after a few weeks, my anxiety just left. I feel better...happier, and haven't had any anxiety attacks since mid-July. Oh, except for one time when I ran out and didn't take it for a few days. I could feel an anxiety attack creeping up on me then.
My anxiety was caused by a hormone drop, so don't know if it works for everyone or not, but the fish oil has other benefits too, so there doesn't seem to be any harm in taking it.

B-complex vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and fish oil capsules taken daily have helped me. Individual herb teas that helped me: scullcap, peppermint, passion flower. (I cannot stand the taste of chamomile, some don't mind. Valerian just made me wired.) No caffeine. Also, alcohol works, but it's dangerous, best to keep far away from it. Calms Forte worked for me. Walking, yoga, tai chi all are good if you can motivate yourself. I tried kava kava--it worked well, but there are concerns about liver damage, so it's wise to try other things. Talking to an understanding friend (good with walking). St. John's Wort is more an anti-depressant, but sometimes depression may present as anxiety. I tried it, but I didn't like the effects.

I also tried prescription drugs such as Oxazepam. The worst mistake of my life. After only a week, they don't work, in fact, I needed to take more to get the same effect. They say that they are highly addictive. Keep away from them.

I'm giving 5HTP another chance. I took one last night and I felt good this am. I had some other issues going on the last time I tried it and got those cleared up so I may like it better this time.

hi I just got anxietrol 7 and want to try it has anyoen tried it?

jennyVee,

I've not tried it but let us know if it works. I'm willing to try something else and compare results..

I have tried Kava,and I got it while I was at my local health food store. I had gone in for some quality vitamin c actually, and I had asked one of the employees's about Kava, and I was told right away that it is harmful if taken the wrong way/and or more than you should take. I have read a few articles on it and weighed the chance of liver damage with the relief it would potentially give me. I am glad that I gave it a shot, and I only take it a few times a week when I am feel anxious. I have anxiety and don't want to take any traditional or strong meds. I have a friend who has to take a med. prescribed by her Doc. Everyone has different issues etc. I hope this helped. I just go by what I feel and have read, and for me a few days out of the week Kava has been great for me. I asked my Doc. before giving it a try, and was informed that alchohol, other meds, can cause problems if taken with Kava.....................so I would talk to your Doc first!!!! :)

Take Care, Kathy

Hi LittleLoneStar
Kava has some bad side effects. Some people have experienced liver damage while using it. It does work wonders, I must say, but not worth the risk to me.
I had bad anxiety for most of the past year. I stumbled upon a safe, natural, beneficial aid in relieving anxiety. I started taking omega 3 fish oil and after a few weeks, my anxiety just left. I feel better...happier, and haven't had any anxiety attacks since mid-July. Oh, except for one time when I ran out and didn't take it for a few days. I could feel an anxiety attack creeping up on me then.
My anxiety was caused by a hormone drop, so don't know if it works for everyone or not, but the fish oil has other benefits too, so there doesn't seem to be any harm in taking it.
omega 3 fish oil has mostly relieved my depression ... at one point, in the summer, it's all i was taking ... now it's december in canada, and i need a low dose of ADs just to give me a litttle boost ...

i have anxiety attacks tho, and i'll try taking one more capsule (i now take two) and see if it eases my anxiety ... that and depression are very closely linked ...

jb

omega 3 fish oil has mostly relieved my depression ... at one point, in the summer, it's all i was taking ... now it's december in canada, and i need a low dose of ADs just to give me a litttle boost ...

i have anxiety attacks tho, and i'll try taking one more capsule (i now take two) and see if it eases my anxiety ... that and depression are very closely linked ...

jb

What are AD's? and how many omega fish oil caps are you taking? What mg. are they?

What are AD's? and how many omega fish oil caps are you taking? What mg. are they?
sorry -- ADs are anti-depressants ...

the fish oil i take comes in 1000mg gel capsules and i now am taking three (just since yesterday, up from two, for a total of 3000mg) ... also, you can get natural herring oil (it has no fishy taste, but is flavoured with rosemary and thyme, i think) in a liquid from the health food store ... you have to keep it in the fridge after it's opened ... i've taken it too, a dosage of two or three teaspoons per day, and it seems to work a little better ... there are several studies showing that fish oil is successful in the treatment of depression ...

fish oil has many other benefits -- as an anti-inflammatory and a natural blood thinner (i'm taking in instead of plavix -- that's a presc. blood thinner that was prescribed instead of aspirin, which upsets my stomach); as well, it lowers triglycerides, raises HDL levels ("good" cholesterol) and may prevent alzheimers ...

side effects include fishy odor on the breath, upset stomach, and greasy stools, altho' i've had none of those ... i'd suggest that if one brand upsets your stomach, try another -- i'd try the organic liquid ...

and don't take cod liver oil -- it contains too much vitamin A and D ...

hope this helps ...

jb

I'm currently taking 2 caps. Looks like they are 1000 mg. and then they also have some vit. E in them as well.
I'm doing fine on them - no ill side effects or anything.
I do see some oil in my urine every once in a while. I wonder if that's from the fish oil caps?
I have a dog of mine on Salmon oil for her ailments. The dogs love the stuff.

Jinglebts,
Glad the omega 3 has helped your depression. I orignally started with one 1200 mg capsule. Noticed a difference after 3 weeks (on the anxiety). I've since upped to two a day after my largest meal of the day. I've never noticed an aftertaste or anything....I wonder if it's because I keep mine refrigerated??
I've always had trouble with Winter blues (I'm in New England), and this year I DO seem to feel better (at least so far). So hope it helps you too.
Mood-wise, I haven't felt this good in ages! I even sleep better, although I don't know if it's the omega 3 or not. But I wouldn't give it up for anything! The benefits of omega 3 are numerous, and I haven't experienced any bad "side effects" like you get with drugs. I think it works wonders.
Hellas

Jinglebts,
Glad the omega 3 has helped your depression. I orignally started with one 1200 mg capsule. Noticed a difference after 3 weeks (on the anxiety). I've since upped to two a day after my largest meal of the day. I've never noticed an aftertaste or anything....I wonder if it's because I keep mine refrigerated??
I've always had trouble with Winter blues (I'm in New England), and this year I DO seem to feel better (at least so far). So hope it helps you too.
Mood-wise, I haven't felt this good in ages! I even sleep better, although I don't know if it's the omega 3 or not. But I wouldn't give it up for anything! The benefits of omega 3 are numerous, and I haven't experienced any bad "side effects" like you get with drugs. I think it works wonders.
Hellas
I'm a big fan of fish oil ... I didn't notice any aftertaste either except for the first few days and haven't had ANY other side effects from it ... I've decided to up my dosage from 3000mg to 4000mg just today b/c I'm still anxious (I've had panic attacks since March, and they are dwindling in number, but as Christmas approaches -- yikes!!)

Glad it's helping you -- I'd never give it up either. I just wish I could convince more people to take it -- many of them say, "Fish oil! Yuck!" and don't listen to me after I say the word fish. Or they argue that it's expensive. Or they say they'll eat more fish.Uh-huh -- I know how that goes. Oh well.

My ND says that one must never underestimate :nono: the power of fatty acids.

jb

I have tried very hard to get my friends and relatives to go see my Dr. who does chiropractic care and kinesiology. He highly believes in the fish oil. Has most of his patients on it.
But, I can't get them to go. Oh well - you can only try so much.

I have tried very hard to get my friends and relatives to go see my Dr. who does chiropractic care and kinesiology. He highly believes in the fish oil. Has most of his patients on it.
But, I can't get them to go. Oh well - you can only try so much.
And 'ya can't win 'em all. Hmmmph!

My naturopath swears by it, that and a boatload of other supplements, each of which she carefully researches to see if it will interfere with other meds I'm taking (I'm on anti-convulsants) ... None of the supplements I take does any harm.

jb

Hi Gun & Jinglebts,
Glad I'm not the only "poster child" for fish oil. We've got a whole bunch of women on the menopause board taking it. I think I've got my boyfriend trying, although the jury is still out on that one. And I convinced my terminex guy who was here the other day to try it. Even with all the stress of my job, I am handling it so much better than 6 months ago. Can only attribute it to the fish oil.
I guess the only thing that could be a problem is the blood thinning quality of the fish oil. So would have to stop if you had surgery scheduled. Hope that never happens, cause I feel so good, I'd hate to stop it for anything!
Cheers!
Hellas

Hi all. I started a B complex regimine that is working great. I also tried fish oil but I got indigestion. I only took it for 2 days but I felt urpy.

So anyway I ordered Flax caps do you think they will work as well as fish oils?

I also ordered some calcium & magnesium as well as vit c (ester).

I have had anxiety & panic attacks for 2 years with signifigant improvement from hypnosis but I still had lingering anxiety and mild depression.

Thanks, Katt

Hi all. I started a B complex regimine that is working great. I also tried fish oil but I got indigestion. I only took it for 2 days but I felt urpy.

So anyway I ordered Flax caps do you think they will work as well as fish oils?

I also ordered some calcium & magnesium as well as vit c (ester).

I have had anxiety & panic attacks for 2 years with signifigant improvement from hypnosis but I still had lingering anxiety and mild depression.

Thanks, Katt
Hey Katt ! Usually Flax is fine for people under 30 and normal weight. If over on one or both may want to use Fish oils due to Epa/Dha in them !!

Two reasons for your indigestion with fish oil. Firstly, rancid oil will cause stomach ache. Some brands are not very fresh or contain toxins. Second, enterically coated capsules are guaranteed not to cause burping or indigestion. This type of cap will not dissolve until it reaches the intestines. Look for fish oil that say enteric coated, molecularly distilled, free of mercury and PCBs, etc. The ones I take are by the Greens + company -- O3mega. And never cause me after taste or anything.

Just a quick thought on the flax capsules. This is a source of ALA, one of the 3 omega fatty acides. EPA and DHA come from fish oil and are the omegas that turn depression around. Fish oil also contains something called uridine that is good for depression. Beets contain uridine too. So you would not be getting the uridine in flax oil. Also, ALA takes a long time to convert to EPA/DHA in the body, so better to receive it from fish.

...
Just a quick thought on the flax capsules. This is a source of ALA, one of the 3 omega fatty acides. EPA and DHA come from fish oil and are the omegas that turn depression around. Fish oil also contains something called uridine that is good for depression. Beets contain uridine too. So you would not be getting the uridine in flax oil. Also, ALA takes a long time to convert to EPA/DHA in the body, so better to receive it from fish.
I did not know that flax oil (ALA) does not relieve depression. Also about the uridine, and beets!! :)

jb

Hi thanks for the info. I am only so far taking 1000mg a day and have been for about 5 days. The urpy indigestion is gone. I am getting ready to up my dose and look for a better quality. I am taking my time introducing anything to my digestive system. I have IBS and sever reflux.

thanks again,
Katt

Raw organic apple cider vinegar will do wonders for IBS and reflux. It must be raw, though. (Unpasteurized) It's the live enzymes in it that help heal the bowel and aid digestion. It helps a great many ailments from indigestion to allergies & arthritis. Because it contains live enzymes it is naturally anti-bacterial and encourages friendly bacteria to grow in the colon. Just a teaspoon or 2 in a glass of water each morning will help. Inexpensive and great on spinach or sardines! Natural mineral salt also helps digest food. I use Himalayan crystal salt.

i have tried almost everything listed on this thread (for years now)....still have not found the right dosage or combinations of herbs and supplements.
5-htp does seem to have the most noticable effect. kava works well but takes a few hours to kick in. i don't believe for a second that just because the evil fda says it causes liver damage, that there is any evidence behgind this.
accupunture did nothing for me, but was a fun experience. if you have money to burn, it can't hurt.
just curious...do you drink?

i'll be sure to try prescripts suggestions tho, those are all new to me. (cept the accupuncture)