Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Valerian: May Provide Calming Effects

The herb valerian is best known as a remedy for insomnia. However, because many drugs useful for insomnia also reduce anxiety, valerian has been proposed as an anxiety treatment as well.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 36 people with generalized anxiety disorder were given either valerian extract, valium, or placebo for a period of 4 weeks. ⁸ The study failed to find statistically significant differences between the groups, presumably due to its small size. However, a careful analysis of the results hints, at least, that valerian was helpful.

In addition, a preliminary double-blind study found that valerian may produce calming effects in stressful situations. ²⁸ Again, though, this study was too small to provide definitive results. Another study evaluated the anxiety-relieving effects of a combination containing valerian and lemon balm taken in various doses; some benefits were seen with doses of 600 mg or 1200 mg three times daily, but the highest dose (1800 mg three times daily) actually appeared to increase anxiety symptoms during stressful situations. Furthermore, people taking the herbal treatment at any dose showed slightly decreased cognitive function as compared to those given placebo.

For more information, including dosage and safety issues, see the full Valerian article.

Kava

Up until 2002, the herb kava was widely used in Europe as a medical treatment for anxiety, based on the evidence of a substantial body of double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. However, because of recent concerns involving its potential effects on the liver, it has been withdrawn from the market in many countries, and we do not recommend its use. For more information, see the full Kava article.

Other Herbs and Supplements

A large (264-participant) 3-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled study tested the possible anti-anxiety benefits of a combination therapy containing the mineral magnesium (150 mg twice daily), the herb hawthorn (150 mg twice daily of a standardized extract), and the seldom-studied herb Eschscholtzia californica (California poppy, 40 mg twice daily). ⁴⁴ Study participants all suffered from generalized anxiety disorder of mild-to-moderate intensity. The results indicated that the combination treatment was more effective than placebo. No significant side effects were seen. This particular combination therapy is currently used in France.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 80 healthy male volunteers found that 28 days of treatment with a multivitamin and mineral supplement (containing calcium, magnesium, and zinc) significantly reduced anxiety and the sensation of stress. ³⁰

The supplement 5-HTP is best known as a proposed treatment for depression. An 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study compared 5-HTP and the drug clomipramine in 45 individuals suffering from anxiety disorders. ³¹ The results indicated that 5-HTP was effective, but clomipramine was more effective.

Based on its apparent ability to promote sleep, melatonin has been tried as a treatment for reducing anxiety. However, while four studies performed by Saudi researchers reported benefits, ^{32,3352. 55} independent researchers have been unable to confirm these results. ^53,54

A 4-week, double-blind study of 36 individuals with anxiety (specifically, generalized anxiety disorder) compared  the herb passionflower to the standard drug oxazepam. ³⁵ Oxazepam worked more quickly, but by the end of the 4-week trial, both treatments proved equally effective. Furthermore, passionflower showed a comparative advantage in terms of side-effects: use of oxazepam was associated with more impairment of job performance. And, in a placebo-controlled trial involving 60 surgical patients, passionflower significantly reduced anxiety up to 90 minutes prior to surgery. ⁶⁴ The only other supporting evidence for passionflower comes from animal studies. ⁴⁵

Several small double-blind studies by a single research group have found preliminary evidence that oral use of lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis ) may reduce anxiety levels. ^46,47 Like other anti-anxiety agents, it may also impair mental function to some degree. A combination of lemon balm and valerian has also been tested, with generally positive results. ⁴⁸

One study found that week-long oral treatment with lysine (2.64 g per day) and arginine (2.64 g per day) could reduce general levels of anxiety. ⁵⁷

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 40 individuals found that gotu kola reduced the "startle" response to sudden loud noises. ³⁴ This suggests, but doesn't prove, that gotu kola may be helpful for anxiety.

A very small double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study found that use of the herb European skullcap reduced general anxiety levels. ⁹

The herb Galphimia glauca is traditionally used as a “nerve tonic” by Mexican herbalists. One substantial double-blind study purportedly found that a standardized Galphimia extract is as effective as the standard medication lorazepam. ⁵⁸ However, because this study failed to use a placebo group, these results mean little.

Two exceedingly preliminary studies that evaluated linden flower for potential sedative or anti-anxiety effects returned contradictory results. ^49-50

One study found weak evidence that sage might reduce anxiety. ⁵¹

Other herbs or supplements that are frequently recommended for anxiety attacks include Chinese skullcap , flaxseed oil , chamomile , gamma oryzanol , hops , selenium , and suma , as well as inositol for panic disorder. However, there is no reliable supporting evidence to indicate that they work.

The substance GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter that is used within the brain to reduce the activity of certain nerve systems, including those related to anxiety. For this reason, GABA supplements are sometimes recommended for treatment of anxiety-related conditions. However, there are no studies whatsoever supporting the use of GABA supplements for anxiety. In fact, it appears that, when taken orally, GABA cannot pass the blood-brain barrier, and therefore does not even enter the brain. ⁶⁰

A 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 68 healthy medical students without anxiety disorders found that taking fish oil supplements may reduce anxiety (ie, stress related to test taking).⁶⁹

Alternative Therapies

Various alternative therapies have shown some promise for the treatment of anxiety, including:

However, more research needs to be done on the effectiveness of these treatments.

There is a fair amount of evidence in support of relaxation therapies^{38,40,61,62,65} and massage (either alone or combined with aromatherapy), ^11,37 as means to treat the symptoms of anxiety, at least in the short-term. In a 2008 review of 27 studies, for example, researchers concluded that relaxation therapies (including Jacobson's progressive relaxation, autogenic training, applied relaxation, and meditation) were effective against anxiety. (Although, not all of the studies were randomized, controlled trials.) ⁶⁶ In a randomized trial involving 68 patients with generalized anxiety disorder, ten sessions of therapeutic massage, thermotherapy (application of heat), or relaxation were all found to be beneficial at reducing anxiety, though none was superior to the others. ⁶⁷

Meditation improved symptoms in a review of 40 randomized trials with 2,466 adults with anxiety. In the trials, meditation was compared to active controls (medication, exercise or alternative therapies), attention controls (education or non-directive therapy) or inactive control (waitlist) groups.⁷⁸

Three studies failed to find Bach flower remedies are helpful for situational anxiety. ^41,42,59