Bach Flower Remedies For Natural Healing

By Frank Terne

Dr. Edward Bach is the creator of the Bach flower remedies, a therapeutic treatment that manages emotions in order to achieve individual wellness. This method that originated from Britain was Dr. Bach's attempt to help patients heal by being a more balanced person emotionally without relying on modern medicine. Initially, he tried with the latter, but could never acquire satisfactory results.

Eventually, Dr. Bach discovered his theory that a person's health and wellness are tied intricately with his or her emotions. With this knowledge, he categorized 38 different emotions that every individual has. These emotions could affect a person depending on how balanced they were, positively or negatively.

The remedies provide a healing method that is as natural as it gets. This source is a mixture of flowers and fauna that Dr. Bach realized could help achieve a balanced emotional state in a living being. Once this balanced state was achieved, the patient would find a great ability to heal or put him or herself in a better position to get better.

The best advantage of relying on Bach's flower remedies is that it is rare for anyone to experience any side effects from its use. Only if one is allergic to alcohol, which is used in minute quantities as a preservative, would the remedies be ineffective. Even though it does not help directly cure any specific medical condition, it puts a person in a perfect state to do so with greater results.

The essences are created directly from flowers. They contain the beneficial energy vibrations from nature that we all need. By mixing them with mineral still water, they are then consumed, while using a dash of alcohol preservative to maintain their shelf life.

The flower remedies have now been shown to heal individuals who suffer from a myriad of conditions. These range from simple headaches to complicated issues like an inability to move their lives forward due to past experiences. It is therefore seen that when brought to a more peaceful emotional state, most individuals are able to arrive in a better health condition.

Bach's natural therapy can also be used to help animals and plants. We know that animals have emotions just like us and thus treatable in the same manner. But not many realize that plants also own energies that are akin to emotional states in humans.

There are so many benefits to using Bach flower essences that an increasing number of doctors are enthusiastic about their qualities. There will be some time before the therapy reaches the mainstream as it slowly reaches out to more people. As modern medicine carries its own risk, natural methods like Dr. Bach's flower remedy might be more favorable for use.

About the Author:

Frank Terne believes that the first step for any patient would be the use of the Bach flower rescue remedy. Advanced treatment will follow depending on its results.

Alternative Treatment for Anxiety: You Do Have Options That Work!

If you suffer from an overwhelming level of anxiety and unreasonable fear in response to certain situations, places or people, you are NOT alone. It is estimated that nearly one out of every four people will suffer from some sort of an anxiety or panic disorder during their lifetime.

The attacks that anxiety causes are an overwhelming experience to say the least and the concerns of side effects from drug treatment are certainly valid and not to be dismissed. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Your task will be to educate yourself about them. While the side effects of alternative treatment are rarely toxic or harmful, there are some concerns regarding interactions of herbs with any drugs you might be taking. Also, you will need to pinpoint what your needs are and see what might work best for you.

One of the most important steps to take in treating panic attacks is to rule out any underlying physical or medical conditions that could be contributing to the attacks. Once this is done, the next step would be to examine your diet and lifestyle. Sometimes dietary, exercise, and stress management changes go a long way toward helping deal with minor to moderate anxiety and panic disorders.

For reducing stress and overall tonic approaches to balancing your system, alternative medicine options such as aromatherapy, herbs, vitamin therapy, homeopathy, biofeedback, and EFT are just a few possibilities you can explore. The alternative therapies for anxiety are usually a lot more effective than taking the usual medications that are prescribed.

Some herbal remedies can treat anxiety safely and effectively and in some cases help eliminate the need for anxiety drugs if you are already taking them. Of course, discontinuing such drugs should be in consultation with your health care practitioner and it is always wise to slowly wean from a drug rather than stop taking it abruptly.

While drug therapy may be necessary for some, alternative approaches can help reduce the amount of medication needed and may lead to an eventual elimination of the drug from your treatment. Some people do experience concerning side effects with prescription drugs, which may require additional drugs to treat those side effects so alternative remedies and therapies may also help address these.

Therapy sessions and counseling may benefit some but they are costly and if you do not have good medical coverage you may find yourself paying out of pocket. If so, by all means look into alternative treatment. While you may need some amount of professional care and drug therapy, natural remedies can make a difference in the frequency of counseling and amount of drugs you take. As you improve and take control of your anxiety you may very well find that natural remedies and therapies are all you need.

Tired of suffering? You can cure anxiety and panic attacks with natural remedies that do not involve harmful medications. Get started with my free report available at http://www.clickherelearnnow.com/anxiety.html

Treating Anxiety with Herbs: Passionflower

Botanicals have much to offer those who suffer from anxiety. There are several different herbs that have wonderful nerve tonics properties that can calm anxiety and panic attacks and help prevent them. Traditional herbal medicine practitioners and native peoples have used these herbs for centuries. Side effects are rare, making them very favorable treatments. While scientific evidence is minimal regarding the proven effectiveness of such herbs, there are some studies suggest that when used together studies that show passionflower can reduce the symptoms of anxiety and treat the overall system to prevent occurrences.

Passionflower has been widely used as a sedative, antispasmodic and nerve tonic in the natural medicine systems of Europe and Asia. It was introduced in North America to in the mid 1800's through native Americans and slaves who used them most commonly in the Southern states if the US. The effects of passionflower were believed to be primarily on the nervous system and used mostly as a sedative. It has long been used worldwide to treat those with anxiety from mental worry, emotional exhaustion, and overwork.

Passionflower is used in herbal treatments and has also been found to lessen dependence on drugs such as Valium and Librium. This makes it a valuable addition to a treatment plan for someone relying on drug therapy. The herb's calming actions is also reported to help treat attention deficit disorder and some other more common symptoms such as restless legs syndrome. It is purported to cause much less drowsiness than prescription drugs, which adds to its beneficial aspects. Passionflower is regarded as a useful bridge between traditional herbal medicine and the treatment of modern health problems, especially in cases of anxiety, depression and patients trying to wean themselves from synthetic sleeping pills and tranquilizers. Despite the dearth of research in the United States, which shows the disappointing attitude of the US toward herbal remedies, the herb is frequently used in Europe for anxiety and studies demonstrate its benefit.

For example, one study of 36 people with generalized anxiety disorder demonstrated that passionflower was as effective as the drug oxazepam for treating symptoms. In another study of 91 people with symptoms of anxiety, researchers found that an European product containing passionflower and other herbal sedatives had a considerable reduction in their symptoms when compared to a placebo.

As a completely natural remedy, Passionflower appeals highly to anxiety sufferers who want to reduce or eliminate the use of pharmaceutical drugs. However, caution is advised when taking other drugs such as sedatives because the herb may increase the effects of these substances. It is always best to first consult your doctor or health care practitioner before deciding on combining natural herbs with your drug treatment as a treatment plan for anxiety or panic attacks. Herbs have the advantage of having minimal or no side effects, but should be treated with respect and consideration to your personal needs and medications.

Tired of suffering? You can cure anxiety and panic attacks with natural remedies that do not involve harmful medications. Get started with my free report available at http://www.clickherelearnnow.com/anxiety.html

Anxiety Cures: Five All Natural Tips for Treating Your Anxiety

Anxiety can wreck havoc on your life and make you feel completely helpless. People suffering from anxiety may need immediate and specific help from a medical health professional and that help may require prescription medication, counseling, and committed support from family and friends to implement a treatment plan. However, many cases of anxiety can be treated effective natural methods that are simple and inexpensive.

One: Behavior Therapy

Learning to change your thinking and your behavior patterns to situations of stressful and uncomfortable events can provide great relief. This is getting to the source of your anxiety and understanding the triggers that lead to attacks. Approaching this in a step-by-step manner allows you to chisel away at your reactions to otherwise normal social situations. By recognizing things in advance and examining your thinking patterns and reactions, you can be proactive and preventative so that you stop the attacks before they start. An excellent approach to this can be through guided imagery.

Two: Get a New Life(style)

Many habits in our daily lives are bad for us and can be pinpointed and changed to improve our overall well being. This is particularly important for someone who suffers from anxiety because balance is very important for an anxiety sufferer. Balance is one of the things they lack in their lives so achieving a healthy balance can do much to relieve symptoms. Changing from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one, improving your diet, establishing a better sleep schedule, and spending time to relax can help promote the secretion of endorphins, the happiness hormone, into the body.

Three: Alternative Remedies

Certainly antidepressant medication is a necessary treatment for some. However, the side effects are often severe and can create more issues that must be addressed with more drugs. There are natural therapies and remedies that can help manage your anxiety and not only help you avoid drugs, but for some, under the advice of their doctor, they can help reduce and eliminate the need for prescription drugs, There are many alternatives available. Sometimes one or two can play a key role in reducing and eliminating anxiety and panic attacks. For others it will be a combination of several things together. Exploring the options you have available and trying things out to see what works for you can be one of the most important steps you take in addressing your anxiety and getting it under control.

Four: Counseling

Counseling is often key for anxiety sufferers. Some do well discussing their problems with other anxiety sufferers while others need one on one counseling and support. And others need to address things all alone and do will with tapes, books, and guided treatment that they can implement themselves in the privacy of their home. Whatever your personal inclination regarding counseling it is certainly a natural and drugless approach to treating your anxiety that can make a wonderful difference in the occurrence of attacks.

Five: Bodywork

Massage therapy and other forms of bodywork are often used to relax muscle tension, help reduce stress, and to increase the level of deep and calm sleep. If you are uncomfortable with removing your clothes there are forms of bodywork that are done with you fully clothed. Massage and the relaxation of letting go and releasing your stress can be a very important part of an overall treatment approach. If you can't afford a professional, engage a partner or friend to give and receive a massage. Often a simple foot and hand massage will do the relaxation trick.

Treating anxiety naturally is possible. Learn the variety of natural treatment options available and see what you can incorporate into your life to tackle your anxiety.

Tired of suffering? You can cure anxiety and panic attacks with natural remedies that do not involve harmful medications. Get started with my free report available at http://www.clickherelearnnow.com/anxiety.html

Relieving Our Modern Stress Epidemic Using Natural Remedies

Stress is regrettably a common by-product of contemporary life. We can experience stress at work, school, in our relationships, even from peer-pressure. Stress is how our body responds to physical, emotional, mental or social conditions which are affecting us. The conditions may be good ones or bad ones; they may create tension or excitement.

Stress is normally not avoidable and can be due to social conditions, a change in situations, a particular event like a wedding, birth, or job situation, or it may be attributable to health, childbirth, financial situations, or illness.

Stress can show itself in many ways including surfacing as fatigue, headaches, backaches, muscle pain, stiffness in your neck, decreased appetite, memory loss, low self-esteem, a lower than normal sex drive, changes in your sleep patterns, and also shallow breathing. Stress may lead to illnesses including high blood pressure, skin disorders, cancer, obesity and even heart attacks.

It is crucial to learn how to cope with the stress in our lives in order to prevent illnesses which stem from stress. There are numerous natural remedies which can be used to help alleviate the experiences and consequences of stress.

One natural remedy is to take 1 tsp. of valerian rhizome, 1 tsp. of licorice root, 1 tsp. of Siberian ginseng root, and blend these together. Take 1 tsp. of this mixture by mouth every 3 to 4 hours.

Another natural remedy from India is to use Ashwaganda herb. This herb improves your mental and physical performance, relaxes brain waves and helps to cut down stress, especially in persons who work long hours, experience anxiety, reduced sexual drive, or those who experience fatigue.

You can take the herb Ginkgo biloba to help improve your circulation as well as to enhance brain activity.

Licorice Root will help protect you from the negative effects of stress, step-up your energy level and strengthen your immune system.

Taking the above herbs will also help you get better, more restful sleep. It is crucial to get enough rest when contending with stress.

It's also very important to learn how to think and speak in an affirmative and positive manner. When people put themselves down in thought or speech, they actually help create their own stress. Another terrific stress reducer is to take time for yourself by doing something you enjoy or by taking a weekend to do something you have always wanted to do.

Also make use of aromatherapy by using essential oils in a warm bath and going for a long soak (20-30 minutes) in order to relax muscles and release tension.

The essential oil blends below can help during times of stress. When selecting and using oils, be sure to follow all safety precautions and remember that aromatherapy shouldn't be used as a substitute for proper medical treatment.

Blend #1

* 6 drops Clary Sage
* 2 drops Lemon
* 2 drops Lavender

Blend #2

* 4 drops Roman Chamomile
* 4 drops Lavender
* 2 drops Vetiver

Blend #3

* 6 drops Bergamot
* 2 drops Geranium
* 2 drops Frankincense

Blend #4

* 6 drops Grapefruit
* 2 drops Jasmine
* 2 drops Ylang Ylang

Directions:

Select one of the blends shown above. Then, choose which method you'd like to use the blend - in a diffuser, as a bath oil (put 5-10 drops in 1/4 cup of Epsom Salts or Baking Soda and add to bath while water is running), as a massage oil (add blend to 2 Tbsp of Carrier or Pure Vegetable oil), as a perfume (put 1-2 drops on temples and sides of neck), or as an air freshener (add to 1/4 cup distilled water and put into spray bottle - spray where and as needed).

Dee Braun is a Cert. Aromatherapist & Dr. of Reflexology who teaches Aromatherapy, Reflexology & Color/Crystal Therapy at http://www.AlternativeHealingAcademy.com/. Visit the Alternative Healing Academy, which offers home study courses in several natural healing methods. Payment plans are available!

Long Term Stress Causes Long Term Problems

If stress is ignored for a long time, and the person suffering chooses not to address the underlying causes, then this is considered long term. Long-term stress can cause damage - both psychological and physical - to the patient. Paradoxically, the damage caused can in itself bring on stress, thus creating a vicious cycle.

Untreated, stress can intensify into anxiety or into depression, both of which can cause very serious long-term problems. Again, both of these conditions carry with them both psychological and physical components; a sufferer of depression may distance themselves from friends and family, thus setting up a situation where their pain is intensified.

The physical results of depression and anxiety can include cardiac issues. Most directly, it can cause a condition called unstable angina. Sudden and crippling chest pain results from constricted oxygen flow to the heart. Obviously this can set a person up for heart attacks and there have been incidents of sudden stress causing a blockage of heart arteries.

High blood pressure can be brought on, or exacerbated, by anxiety or depression. The effects of high blood pressure can be very serious and may lead to strokes; at the very least, patients find it necessary to take long-term medication in order to regulate their blood pressure.

Less serious (though still debilitating) conditions can be triggered by stress. It may lead to a compromised immune system, which leaves one more vulnerable to a range of everyday viruses and bacteria such as colds, flu and strep. Tension can also cause upsets in a patient's digestive system, irritating the bowel and other parts of the digestive system. While they are rarely dangerous, symptoms such as bloating, constipation, gas, and diarrhea are distasteful and frustrating.

Coupled with digestive problems the food habits of a sufferer may be affected, causing eating disorders. Some people turn to food as a comfort, while others may find themselves unable to eat. In extreme cases, obesity and anorexia may be brought on by the effects of anxiety and depression. Eating disorders are not the only problem; increased rates of diabetes and arthritis have been linked to stress, and its debilitating effects may interfere with long-term management of those conditions.

Yet another problem is sleep disorders. Anxiety can cause a sufferer to toss and turn at night, missing the sleep that is so vital for stress management. Once again, a cycle is created of anxiety leading to interrupted sleep, which itself contributes to the underlying problem. In this situation it is common for sufferers to turn to sleeping pills or other artificial sleep aids in order to get the sleep that is so desperately needed. But of course, these methods of sleep management carry with them inherent risks which can turn into long-term problems.

There are a variety of ways to reduce the stress in your life, many of which you can put into action for yourself. You'll find many effective tips for stress management at http://www.BeyondStressed.com

Don't Let Panic Attacks Control You - 3 Tips To Control Atttacks

By Samantha Adams

Panic attacks for anyone who suffers from them can if they are allowed to take control over their lives. Certainly there are many things that a person can do in order to prevent a panic attack from occurring. However, if the situation becomes a chronic one then medical intervention may be needed. Below we offer some tips on how to stop panic attacks before they do take over your life completely.

Tip 1 - One of the best ways to stop a panic attack before it takes a hold is to get your breathing right. It is important that you learn the right sorts of breathing techniques which can then help you to relax. There are a number of different techniques that you can use today and many of these you will find offered on the internet.

But the simplest of these breathing techniques is the one where you sit somewhere that allows you to relax and then you begin to breathe very slowly and very deeply. It is the slow breathing which tells your body that it is becoming relaxed and calm and so any signals being sent to the adrenal glands can be halted.

Tip 2 - It may take you some time before you are able to master this particular tip. In order to stop a panic attack one needs to learn how to remove all negative thoughts from one's mind. So what you need to do if a panic attack starts is tell yourself that you can and will prevent it from escalating. Doing this wil help you to then get the situation under control and will help to make your mind more relaxed.

Once you stop having negative thoughts you then need to start replacing them with thoughts of a more positive nature. Although people say you should think of something you like, this is not the case. Instead you need to be reinforcing the thoughts you are currently having and which helped your to respond to the problem in a positive way. Doing this will help you to carry on and prevent the panic attack from taking control.

Tip 3 - When you start to feel a panic attack coming on you need to move yourself away from what has triggered it initially. It is also important that as soon as you have such feelings you recognize them for what they are. Then you need to start making changes even small ones so you either avoid the situation or deal with them better in the future.

About the Author:

Would you like to learn other ways on how to stop panic attacks? If so then please visit How To Stop Anxiety Attacks. Here you will find plenty of advice, information and articles on howtostopanxietyattacks.com

Combat Stress and Anxiety with Rhodiola

By Keith Woolley

The army of natural anxiety and stress reducers has a new recruit, Rhodiola Rosea.

Rhodiola Rosea (aka "Golden Root") is flora endemic to the tundras of Siberia. For many centuries it was used by eastern European and Asian cultures for physical strength, work productivity, longer life span, help for people would get sick from heights, to help with weakness, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections, and last but not least systme disorders.

These are the first recorded medical uses of rodia riza. (name changed to Rhodiola Rosea) In 77 C, it was the Greek Physician, Dioscorides, who was known to have made this.E. it is in the 'De Materia Medica'. Official Russian medicine has accepted the inclusion of Rhodiola Rosea since 1969.

Centuries have passed and it was only until recently that the Western world discovered the health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea. In these days it is hard not to have stress and anxiety in your life. What is amazing is that something natural like a herb can have such an effect

Considered to be an adaptogen, Rhodiola Rosea What this stands to show is that it has a stabilizing effect on a person's body without upsetting other functions. Its capacity for normalizing hormones has possibilities for efficacious depression and anxiety therapies.

Rhodiola Rosea has been shown to stimulate the brain and enhance the natural effects that it has. Another benefit is that it includes the chance for the brain to produce serotonin that will also help the body get used to stress more easily.

Adaptogen is able to help improve the entire body's ability to deal with stress, it was studied to show what the effects are on the biological, chemical and physical stress.

In intense mental work, Rhodiola rosea was studied intensely to see if any side affects take place. (like, for instance, final exams). Tests on the use of Rhodiola Rosea have concluded that it reduces the effects of fatigue, allowing greater mental clarity and improving the amount and quality of work.

Both physical and emotional sources of stress and anxiety respond to the effects of Rhodiola Rosea, according to tests. According to reports endorsed by the American Botanical Council, people using this substance reported improvements in their concentration, their outlook on life, and even their energy. A research study found that Rhodiola Rosea can increase one's tolerance of stress while concurrently working to ease the physical effects of stress that can harm the brain or heart.

This study contained information on tests that accentuate the comprehensive health advantages of Rhodiola Rosea.

A dosage of between 200 and 600 mg daily is typically suggested. The active properties inside it should be no less than zero.Eight percent salidroside; three percent rosavin.

For consumers it is imperative that they know Rhodiola imitations might be sold at such a mild level they are not effective strength for treatment or using another species that does not share the same properties of Rhodiola Rosea. For anyone who suffers with depression or anxiety they should contact a health professional when you are treating these types of symptoms.

About the Author:

Keith Woolley is Herbal Advisor of Boots Herbal Stores, in the United Kingdom. Rhodiola Rosea is one of the herbs that is now realising world wide attention. For more Information on Rhodiola Rosea Click Here. Finally, take care of inferior brands and potencies that will be effective.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

By Mary Maseko

Although it may have been around longer, it wasn't until the 1980's that the condition referred to as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome was first described and started to be understood. For every doctor you find that fully believes in the condition of CFS, you will find one who does not so in some ways medical advancement has been very slow in discovering all the facts.

The condition is now seen widely in the United States with most people affected in their early 20's to late 30's although it can affect someone at any age. There are varying degrees of seriousness and it is predominately a condition that affects women.

Some people experience more symptoms than others and those with particularly severe symptoms cannot continue anything like a normal life. Those with serious chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms who are worst hit are unable to leave their bed and are constantly tired, not even able to perform even the simplest of normal routine tasks. Younger people who have the condition generally aren't able to attend school for sometimes months on end which impacts on their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Many other symptoms other than fatigue affect someone with CFS including aches and pains in the joints and muscles, problems with sleeping, lack of any appetite plus other symptoms that may sometimes be associated with influenza but it can also cause depression and anxiety. Whilst the cause is still unknown, there is one common factor and that is the symptoms of chronic fatigue often appear after a viral infection sometimes this is associated with Epstein-Barr Virus.

Although some experts believe it has a connection with a failing in the body's own immune system, however, other theories are being tested like a reaction to specific chemicals for example. What isn't quite understood is how severe some people's condition is where they are stuck in bed for weeks or months at a time and others just for a few days while some CFS patients do not have this problem at all.

However difficult or cumbersome your symptoms are it is important to remember that there are steps you can take to improve your symptoms. The important factor for CFS sufferers to focus on is to remember that there is good treatment to relieve fatigue and suffering with many natural treatments and supplements you can take to increase energy, decrease pain, reduce anxiety and depression.

Particular treatments that focus on cleaning the system by detoxification help to rejuvenate and improve body maintenance. Chronic fatigue syndrome does not have to be for life and it is imperative that new treatments be researched and tried by the victims of this awful condition so they can claim back their lives.

About the Author:

You can visit: money gram users manual money orders and didrex2fpay with money order for more information.

Curing Panic Attacks when you're pregnant

By Millicent Feraux

When women are pregnant, they often find themselves not only dealing with their pregnancy but also with anxiety and panic. There is a reason for this happening.

During pregnancy, the hormones in a pregnant woman's body are all working overtime. It is these hormone changes which often cause the panic and anxiety. It is during pregnancy that every part of the woman's body is involved and working differently than normal.

Pregnancy is a naturally stressful time for many women, particularly where the pregnancy is unexpected or unplanned, or where there are health concerns surrounding the pregnancy. When combined with these hormonal changes, pregnancy becomes a common time for panic and worry.

When I was pregnant, I seemed to be most worried about what was going to happen during the birth process and I was also worried about being a good mother. I was lucky as my extra anxiety and panic was considered by my doctor as being normal.

Anxiety and panic attacks are more common in the last months of pregnancy. Some women find however that if they had attacks before pregnancy that they lessen while they are pregnant. No one knows why this occurs. They think it is due to the fluctuating hormones.

If you find you are one of the women to have anxiety and panic attacks while pregnant there are things you can do to help stop them from happening. Medications can be harmful to your developing baby. One of these natural methods of treatment will be more suited for you.

* Relax - your baby and your health come first. Take time out from your day and find somewhere peaceful to rest. Forget the stresses in your life and focus on thoughts you find soothing.

* Relaxation - When you feel yourself getting stressed or anxious, you need to relax. Lie down in a place you think is quiet and cool and try to just relax. You should try to forget about the anxiety or worrying about other things - concentrate only on relaxing. You will find that once you totally relax that the feeling of stress and anxiety can go away.

* Breathe deeply - you will be surprised by how effective focused breathing can be. Try lying down and breathing deeply. Breathe in through your nose; blow out through your mouth. Take your time and keep breathing deeply and slowly until you feel better.

If you suffer repeated panic or anxiety attacks it is important that you seek aid. You are not the first person to be in this position and there are many services standing by to help you promote the health of yourself and your baby.

Men can have anxiety and panic attacks during your pregnancy too. They are about to become a father and that can be scary to them. They may be worried how they will be able to afford a new baby. They may have worries about taking care of the baby.

Men are notorious for not admitting when they are bothered about anything. And it is these un-admitted fears that can lead to anxiety and panic.

If you notice your husband or partner being more anxious or having panic attacks, try talking to him. This should be an enjoyable time for both of you, so help him to deal with his feelings or to get treatment if his attacks are out of control.

About the Author:

Millicent Feraux writes on methods to take control of and cure panic attacks and anxiety at all times at http://www.panic-calm.com .

Science Supports the Anti-Anxiety Effects of Essential Oils

By Nancy Stevens

Aromatherapy has been around for a long, long time. Humans have been emulsifying, burning, macerating, pressing and distilling plants for their aromas for thousands of years. Only since the dawn of the New Age and modern Western scientific inquiry, however, has the impression of aromatherapy gotten soft. But now, the same scientific institutions are validating the use of essential oils, and their profound anti-anxiety effects. So now, rather than "running for the shelter of mother's little helper" when things get a little hectic, you can bypass the liquor store, the pharmacy and the junk-food isle and head confidently to the natural health market for a little bottle of scented bliss. Maybe not as decadents for everyone, but the majority of mothers and generally health and wellness-conscious folks will appreciate the healthful choice for themselves, their children and their families.

In recent years, more and more clinical and laboratory research is uncovering the efficacy of essential oils used for their anti-anxiety effects. Thankfully, the application of the oils in these studies is relatively simple: both the inhalation of aroma and the topical application have demonstrable therapeutic activity. These methods are easily replicated by the professional and aromatherapy enthusiast alike. The oils can be diffused an any diffuser (as the concentrations from high end nebulizers are not required for this practice), used in aromatherapy massage, or simply worn as natural perfume. Several readily available essential oils have statistically significant data to support their use in stress reduction - here's a look at some of the most often studied ones...

Lavender has been the most frequently studied of all the essential oils. Its anti-anxiety (or simply 'relaxing') action has been documented both in the laboratory (using stressed-out mice and rats) and in clinical environments with actual human beings. Many, many studies have reported the same thing: inhalation of lavender oil brings calm under a great variety of conditions. At least one study compared Lavender oil aroma to that of Juniper, Cypress, Geranium, Jasmine and Frankincense. It was only the Frankincense that had a somewhat similar effect, but not nearly as effective as Lavender. Several studies compared Lavender's effect to diazepam (Valium) with Lavender's aroma having similar (but likely more healthy) calming results. In other studies, Lavender has been shown to improve sleep, decrease conflict between animals, and reduce the amount of pain medication needed by recovering hospital patients.

Sandalwood oil is another well-known stress reducer. For those that may not enjoy the floral aroma of Lavender, Sandalwood could be the oil of choice. Its warm, earthy scent is grounding and centering, being used by some spiritual traditions to enhance relaxed, focused meditative states. The science shows similar results - Sandalwood oil topically applied relaxed the body while stimulating psyche. Studies on sleep/wake cycles using Sandalwood oil topically improved the quality of sleep and lessened waking episodes. A small study using Sandalwood suggested the oil may be helpful in reducing anxiety for palliative care patients. Beyond the scope of Western scientific inquiry, Sandalwood oils and pastes have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of psychological disorders, utilizing its sublime mental-health promoting actions.

While Sandalwood and Lavender have the most data to back them up, many other essential oils have had positive test results. Rose is a standout; it has also been tested alongside Valium (apparently the anti-anxiety gold standard) with better and longer-lasting results. The rose aroma's effect seem to increase over time, where as benzodiazepines' effect will tend to decrease - and the test subjects appeared less confused or sedated. Rose, like Lavender, reduced conflict between test subjects as well. For a little variety, you can mix Rose and Sandalwood together (try a 1:4 ratio)...this is a classic Indian aromatic blend combining two of the world's best known anti-anxiety scents.

Other oils found in research databases include Angelica, Chamomile, Lemon, Lemongrass, Tagetes and Ylang Ylang. Some oils tested didn't show repeatable results in the laboratory environment, but if you find and oil aroma that you find relaxing, it's more than likely not purely 'in your head'; the olfactory (smell) sense is the one of the five senses most directly wired to the brain's emotional centers. These are, in turn, directly wired to the autonomic nervous system controlling functions such as heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure - all of which are closely tied to one's level of stress.

So what to do with these stress relieving wonders? They're really easy to use - one of the great features of aromatherapy. Both topical application and inhalation show repeatable results in laboratory tests. A common method of topical application is to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil like Jojoba down to 10% or less. Essential oils tend to pass easily into the bloodstream when applied to the skin, so nearly any technique will do. A few drops of your mixture can be placed on the wrists and rubbed together (this is nice, as you'll smell the aroma as well). For inhalation, there's a great many aromatherapy diffusers available, from little, inexpensive plug in units, to professional models which make a cloud of pure, intense aroma. For anxiety relief, any model where you can smell the aroma will do the job - the higher end diffusers tend to bathe a larger area in your aroma of choice.

In aromatherapy, a little scent and sense goes a long way. You only really need enough oil to get a hint of the aroma for a psychologically active effect - so experiment with small amounts of several oils. There seems to be a great difference in aromatic preference between individuals; some like florals, while other's find them too fluffy. These folks might find earthier aromas more to their liking. And different aromas will likely have subtly different effects - some can be both relaxing and stimulating (Citrus oils are a good example) where others can be just plain relaxing (the floral aromas generally have this effect). Whatever your choice, know that aromatherapy is now not just some New Age fad...the men in white coats have given the thumbs-up to natural health and wellness by just simply stopping and smelling the roses.

About the Author:

The author is a consultant for Ananda Aromatherapy, found at www.anandaapothecary.com. Find more resources are available on aromatherapy and essential oils through the website.

You are not alone in your anxiety

By Adam Mahon

When people have social anxiety disorder or social phobia everyday situations can become very overwhelming. These feelings of anxiety can become intense and can vary from person to person.

All anxiety disorders are not equal, different people find different things cause them to have anxiety attacks. Men will find different situations cause their anxiety disorder to come to the fore than women do.

People with social anxiety fear that they will make mistakes that everyone will notice, they fear that they are always going to be judged by others, they have the fear of being embarrassed or humiliated by themselves in front of others, they think that everyone's attention is on them, and they think that other people are more capable of doing something in the same situation.

Does eating out with people you don't know make you feel trembly, sick and sweaty? if you were suffering from a social anxiety disorder then it is very possible that you would feel exactly like that.

The symptoms of anxiety very often lead to the sufferer becoming embarrassed and that embarrassment compounds the feeling of anxiety. This is part of the reason why people with social anxiety often don't socialize with anyone other than direct family members.

When you go to pull a plaster off , the time you spend thinking about how much it will hurt seems to make you more anxious than the actual removal of the plaster itself. That is just how it feels when a social anxiety sufferer knows they will have to use a public rest room or public telephone.

If social anxiety is not recognized and treated then it takes over peoples lives, it normally starts affecting their social life first. Social anxiety keeps millions of people locked up in their own homes and the fear gets worse and worse the longer it goes on.

Just because a child is shy it does not mean that they will suffer from anxiety later in life. Social anxiety usually starts at a early age and there unless it is treated it will make the teenage years and beyond be even more difficult than they usually are.

About the Author:

Read the true life story of 10 years of battling with anxiety. This Anxiety Book was written by a ex sufferer. At last a life is a written by an ex sufferer of anxiety

Discovering Treatments For Anxiety and Depression

By The Alternate Medic

These two most common ailments of modern society, Anxiety and depression are likely to interfere with the normal functioning of an individual's life. Those who suffer from anxiety and depression are likely to need help from outside. The help may include the proper administration of medication, continual counseling, and support from the medical community as well as family and friends. Luckily, both anxiety and depression can be treated using a wide variety of effective treatments.

Behavioral Therapy

In this case, Behavioral therapy is used to modify one's thinking patterns and to reinforce corrected behavioral patterns in order to achieve relief from their stressful condition. While treating anxiety, the patient may be gradually introduced to their source of anxiety. This is known as selective exposure. When the patient can reduce his or her level of anxiety in a step by step process, a word of encouragement is provided to him reinforcing their improved state.

While treating depression using behavioral therapy, the practitioner engages the client into the hobbies or activities preferred by the client. It helps in improving the mood of the client. Behavioral therapy is assumed to be the best technique for treating anxiety and depression. If your close ones are suffering from the same, you should consult to the psychiatrist no later than immediately.

Lifestyle Change

A Lifestyle change can contribute significantly in the treatment of anxiety and depression. When a patient is away from the drug scene, there will definitely be an increase in nervousness and anxiety, however it is the first step on the road to recovery itself. By reducing the consumption of any addictive substance whilst engaging in daily exercise may promote the secretion of endorphins into the body.

Antidepressant Medication

It cannot be denied that antidepressant medication is a solution for the treatment of anxiety and depression. However, there are possible side effects involved with the prolonged administration of antidepressant medications such as becoming over-dependant on the medicine. It is recommended that to receive the highest possible benefit, antidepressant medications need to be administered in combination with behavioral therapy and other therapeutic measures.

Counseling

Counseling is another effective option that focuses on the objective to encourage the patient to speak out loudly or to share it with good listeners who have suffered throufg the same or similar experiences.. When it comes to the sufferings of anxiety and depression, many psychiatrists and psychotherapists put their hands on counseling. Not only does it help people to express their overt behavior, but also it aids in understanding the root cause of the problem identified.

Group Therapy

Sharing the pain with same-minded individuals - this is the theme of group sharing. People who have already suffered from this problem can figure out better this problem in other people. In fact, different studies have shown how group setting offer benefits for treating anxiety and depression. A continuous feeling of connected, a strong feeling hope and strength and a sense of brotherhood may accelerate the treatment procedure.

About the Author:

For More Information On Early Signs Of Depression Click Here Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.