The symptoms of anxiety not only interfere with your daily life, but are debilitating in the sense that you become less productive and efficient in performing the tasks you need to do. This only fuels increased anxiety.

You should discuss your anxiety with your health practitioner, particularly when it’s chronic and/or acute. Your doctor may want to prescribe an anti-anxiety medication for temporary relief while you transition to methods to natural treatments for anxiety. Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to take these medicines for the long term, as they can become addictive. There are exceptions, as in the case of what’s called ‘generalized anxiety disorder’, where the cause is psychologically based in deep seated traumas.

Your first step towards natural treatments for anxiety is an assessment of your diet. If you drink a lot of coffee or sodas which contain caffeine, you may be washing away valuable nutrients which help maintain healthy nerves and can even negatively affect your mood.Processed and highly refined foods, MSG, preservatives and too much salt can result in chronic anxiety! Check product labels and try to stick with fresh foods for the majority of your menus. When you buy meat, be aware that growth hormones, such as DES are given to animals raised for meat and can increase symptoms of anxiety. Organically raised animals are not given these chemicals, so you might try buying natural meats and see if this doesn’t make a difference. Making these few dietary changes can be one of your most important treatments for anxiety!

Some people, who are quite sensitive to the effects of caffeine, find that exercise and just plain hard manual work is one of the most effective natural treatments for anxiety. We all tend to be too sedentary and this can be a major contributing factor to chronic anxiety. Burn off some of that excess energy with some heavy chores, or a half hour of vigorous exercise.

At the same time, too much of the rat race, running errands and racing around from one must-do task to another, taxes your body and doesn’t make for a peaceful mind. Taking some time outs is a good thing when it comes to dealing with anxiety. Instead of coming home and stationing yourself in front of the tube, have some quiet time where you truly relax. Read a book, take a bath, do some imagery exercises, clearing your mind of the day to day worries and nagging thoughts.

Aromatherapy is another of the natural treatments for anxiety. Aromatherapy is based on breathing the scents of essential oils, which your brain responds to in a favorable way for a variety of conditions. The essential oil of lavender is well known to promote relaxation and ease tension. A little whiff of lavender oil, which can be purchased in small vials at herb shops, can quash those unpleasant anxiety symptoms marvelously!

Put all of these natural treatments for anxiety to work for you today. You’ll feel the difference!

This is not a comprehensive list of herbs to avoid during pregnancy. They represent some of the most dangerous to expectant Moms. Six of these will actually induce abortion and sometimes death. Two of these six are classified by the FDA as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe). One of these herbs has culinary uses. This list intends to drive home the point that you must be vigilant and always consult a naturopathic doctor before using any herbs during your pregnancy.

At the top of our list of herbs to avoid during pregnancy are Ephedra and Hoodia. These two are mentioned as they enjoy popularity as weight loss agents. Ephedra, also known as Ma-Huang, is a powerful stimulant. It does have some legitimate uses as a medicinal agent, but even experts generally use this cautiously. Hoodia is a plant traditionally used by indigenous tribes in Western Australia to help them endure hunger on long hunting forages in extreme heat. This plant is now avidly consumed by people who believe it will help them lose weight.

The next two herbs to avoid during pregnancy are Pennyroyal and Rue. Both can induce abortion and both are classified by the FDA as GRAS. Although many people drink Pennyroyal tea, in the mint family, it is the oil which brings on miscarriage and causes liver damage in quite small amounts. Rue is used as an effective antispasmodic. However, even handling the plant can cause external itching and burning of the skin. The oil causes nerve damage and may induce abortion. There are many other herbs which effectively deal with muscle spasms and that are not as dangerous.Angelica, while having many good medicinal applications, such as helping indigestion, insomnia and nervousness, also promotes menstrual flow and can induce a miscarriage.

Juniper berry and Mandrake do not have much to recommend them in any herbal application. Both can induce abortion. Juniper can cause kidney damage, convulsions and high blood pressure, while Mandrake causes nausea and extreme irritation of the intestines.

Tansy has been used to encourage fertility, but also can cause abortion. It deserves mention due to its common use in salads and marinades, as well as in cosmetics, notably for acne.

Again, this is only a sampling of herbs to avoid during pregnancy. If you wish to use herbs during pregnancy, consult a professional before you do!