Herbs To Help Your Child’s Anxiety: 10 Proven Natural Solutions
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As parents, we want nothing but the best for our children. Unfortunately, anxiety can affect even the youngest of children. Anxiety can be tough to deal with, and parents are often left wondering how they can help their children manage their anxiety without resorting to medication.
Natural herbs may offer a solution, as they can help calm the mind and reduce anxiety symptoms. Here are ten natural herbs to help your child’s anxiety and how to use them:
1. Chamomile
Chamomile has been a popular herb for centuries to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety. It contains compounds calming down the nervous system, making it an excellent choice for children who struggle with anxiety. You can give your child a cup of chamomile tea before bed to help them relax and sleep better. Chamomile can also be taken in supplement form or used in aromatherapy.
It is generally considered safe for children, but it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider before giving your child any new herbs or supplements.
2. Passionflower
Passionflower is another great natural herb used for centuries to treat anxiety and insomnia. Passionflower works by increasing levels of a chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which helps to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety. Studies have shown that people with anxiety who took passionflower said it had similar effects as Oxazepam (Serax) in treating the symptoms.
Available forms of passionflower include; infusion, teas, liquid extracts, and tinctures. You can give your child a cup of passionflower tea to help them relax and reduce anxiety.
3. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is another natural herb that can help reduce anxiety. Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and has a calming effect on the body. Like passionflower, it works by increasing the levels of GABA in the brain, which helps calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety. Essential oils made of lemon balm leaves contain terpenes, a chemical that plays a key role in the herb’s relaxing effects.
Lemon balm is generally safe for children, but consulting a healthcare provider will help avoid complications. Lemon balm can be taken as a tea, tincture, or supplement.
4. Valerian Root
Valerian root is a natural herb used for centuries to treat anxiety and insomnia. Valerian root can help reduce anxiety by increasing the levels of GABA in the brain, which helps to calm the nervous system and reduce anxiety. Give your child a cup of valerian root tea to help them relax and reduce anxiety.
Valerian root can also be taken as a tincture or supplement and is generally considered safe for children.
5. Lavender
Lavender is a natural herb that has a calming effect on the body. Like the other mentioned herbs, it has been used for centuries to promote relaxation and calmness. Lavender contains compounds that can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Its calming scent has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in adults and children.
Lavender can be used in a variety of ways, including as an essential oil in a diffuser, as a tea, or in a bath. You can use lavender essential oil to create a calming atmosphere in your child’s bedroom.
6. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha might be one of your best choices if your child has stress or anxiety. Ashwagandha can help alleviate anxiety by reducing cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a hormone that is released in response to stress. Ashwagandha also can benefit sleep quality.
You can give your child a capsule of Ashwagandha supplement to help them reduce anxiety.
7. Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a natural herb used in Russia and Scandinavia to treat fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Rhodiola Rosea can help reduce anxiety by increasing the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, which are neurotransmitters that help regulate mood.
Because of its adaptogenic properties, Rhodiola is said to have the ability to alleviate fatigue which later causes stress and anxiety. You can give your child a capsule of Rhodiola Rosea supplement to help them reduce anxiety.
8. Kava
Kava is a natural herb with very powerful compounds to help treat anxiety and stress. The active components within Kava are the Kavalactones, which have been the subject of numerous research trials. These trials have shown that Kava preparations, containing between 60-280mg of Kavalactones, have significantly reduced symptoms of generalized anxiety.
The mechanism behind Kava’s anxiolytic effects can be attributed to the impact of Kavalactones on dopamine levels in the brain. These Kavalactones increase dopamine availability, leading to a calming effect. Kavalactones also enhances the brain’s sensitivity to neurotransmitters such as GABA while reducing noradrenaline levels.
One of the famous and highly recommended states of taking Kava is tea. You can brew a cup of tea for your child for a peaceful and restful state of mind.
9. Holy Basil
Holy basil has been used for centuries to treat anxiety and stress. Holy basil can help reduce anxiety by reducing cortisol levels in the body.
As per the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, Holy Basil exhibits remarkable anti-anxiety and antidepressant properties akin to benzodiazepine, diazepam, and other antidepressant drugs. The studies conducted on this herb mainly focused on its leaves.
One such study found that individuals who ingested 500 milligrams (mg) of Holy Basil extract daily experienced a significant reduction in their anxiety, stress, and depression levels. The participants also reported an increased sense of sociability, which is encouraging.
You can give your child a capsule of holy basil supplement or make some tea to help them reduce anxiety. Holy Basil is also available in essential oil.
10. St. John’s Wort
Derived from the blossoms of the Hypericum perforatum plant, St. John’s Wort is an herbal supplement that has gained popularity as an over-the-counter remedy for mild anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. This botanical extract is widely recognized for its purported benefits in improving mood and reducing stress, owing to its rich concentrations of active compounds like hypericin, hyperforin, and flavonoids.
With its long history of use in traditional medicine, St. John’s Wort has been used for various purposes, including wound healing and nerve pain relief. However, it is most commonly consumed as a natural alternative to antidepressants and other prescription medications for managing mild to moderate mood disorders.
The therapeutic effects of St. John’s Wort are believed to stem from its ability to modulate levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which play a crucial role in regulating mood, appetite, and sleep patterns. By enhancing the uptake and availability of these neurotransmitters in the brain, St. John’s Wort may help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other related conditions.
St. John’s Wort is available in tea, tablet, and tincture; however, we suggest you give your child a herb tablet. Check the doses option before giving the tablets to your child to avoid complications.
Before Using These Herbs;
- Consult with a Healthcare Provider: Before giving your child any of these herbs, it’s essential to consult with your child’s healthcare provider. Some herbs may interact with medications or have potential side effects, so it’s essential to ensure they are safe for your child to use.
- Choose High-Quality Herbs: When choosing herbs, it’s essential to choose high-quality herbs from a reputable source—ensuring that the herbs you choose are pure and contaminant-free is essential.
- Follow Dosage Guidelines: Following dosage guidelines when giving your child herbs is important. Dosage guidelines may vary based on the herb, the form of the herb, and your child’s age and weight.
- Incorporate Herbs into Daily Routine: Incorporating herbs into your child’s daily routine can help them reap the benefits of these natural remedies. You can give your child a cup of tea before bed, add herbs to their meals, or use essential oils to create a calming atmosphere.
Conclusion
Anxiety can be a challenging issue to deal with, especially in children. However, many natural herbs can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. It’s important to consult with your child’s healthcare provider before giving them any herbs, choose high-quality herbs, follow dosage guidelines, and incorporate herbs into your child’s daily routine. Using these natural remedies can help your child manage their anxiety safely and effectively.