Healing Anxiety With Herbs

by Bloomfield, Harold H.

• ISBN13: 9780060191276
• ISBN10: 0060191279
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-05-01
• Publisher: HarperCollins

Summary

As Dr. Bloomfield shows, in many cases the best and safest remedies are natural herbs. Medical studies have shown that kava can relieve mild to moderate anxiety as effectively as Valium-like tranquilizers - but without sedation, memory impairment, or threat of addiction. Hypericum (Saint-John's-wort), which can be just as effective as synthetic antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, can also be used to alleviate anxiety. Valerian extract can provide a good night's sleep without the morning hangover or rebound insomnia of prescription sleeping pills. Ginkgo biloba is a "brain booster" that is useful as a daily supplement for anyone over the age of forty who is dealing with the angst of aging. The ginsengs and ashwaganda can help to strengthen the nervous system and protect against stress. Hospitals in Britain are using lavender oil aromatherapy to calm patients before surgery. Evening primrose oil and Traditional Chinese Medicinal herbs can help to treat Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).

Table of Contents

Important Information
Introduction
What is Anxiety?
You Are Not Alone	p. 3
"I'm Afraid to Get Help!"	p. 9
Anxiety Alters Relationships	p. 16
A Worried Mind	p. 20
The Primary Types of Anxiety Disorder	p. 25
What Causes Anxiety?	p. 31
The Diagnosis of Anxiety	p. 37
Anxiety Is an Exaggerated Stress Response	p. 44
Herbs for Anxiety, Insomnia, and Stress
The Herbal Medicine Revolution	p. 57
Using Herbs Safely and Appropriately	p. 63
Herbal Medicines or Synthetic Drugs for Anxiety?	p. 72
Kava - the Natural Tranquilizer	p. 79
Healing Anxiety with Hypericum (Saint-John's-Wort)	p. 84
Valerian - Nature's Valium - and Other Sedative Herbs	p. 91
Adaptogens - the Antistress Herbs	p. 101
Ginkgo biloba - Antidote to the Angst of Aging	p. 112
Herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine	p. 117
Herbs in Ayurvedic Medicine	p. 124
Herbal Scents - Aromatherapy	p. 129
Flower Power	p. 133
Natural Self-Healing
The Healing Journey - Nurturing Your Natural Self	p. 143
From Pressure and Panic to Personal Power	p. 156
Active Living and Antistress Nutrition	p. 166
Liming - Doing Nothing, Guilt-Free	p. 189
Emotional Freedom	p. 209
Ending Worry, Sleeping Deeply	p. 230
Are You Anxious or Angry?	p. 240
Healing the Anxiety of Loss and Change	p. 259
Spiritual Crisis and Renewing Your Soul	p. 278
Bibliotherapy	p. 289
Organizations for Further Information on Herbs	p. 291
Herbal Medicine Practitioners and Resources	p. 294
National Associations of Mental Health Professionals	p. 297
Anxiety Self-Help Groups	p. 299
Internet Resources for Anxiety and Herbs	p. 302
Notes	p. 303
Acknowledgments	p. 306
Bibliography	p. 308
About the Author	p. 323
Index	p. 325
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