Natural Anxiety Support on the Gold Coast

Gold Coast locals are frequently seeking out Natural Anxiety Support to improve their anxiety before resorting to pharmaceutical based treatments. Anxiety is becoming more prevalent in the world of increasing working hours, guggling family commitments, access to social media and declining social engagement.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 1 in 5 Australians between the ages 16-85 experience a mental disorder. The number is 1 in 7 for children ages 1-7 years. More specifically, 17% of Australian’s experience anxiety. Based on these numbers, herbal remedies for stress and naturopathic mood supports are being sought as valuable options for the management of anxiety and stress.

Herbal Remedies for Stress

Stress is a primary driver of anxiety and the severity of anxiety presentation. Herbal remedies for stress are often targeting ‘stress adaptation’. This means, supporting the body to adapt in how it responds to stressors. We so often refer to stress as being ‘chase by the tiger’, the ‘fight or flight’ response. Our body is equipped to dealing with short term stressors, in fact it thrives off them. Where the problems lay are when stressors become too frequent or prolonged. Prolonged stress affects our stress hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline and nor-adrenaline, resulting in overstimulated and in extreme cases, depleted adrenal glands.

The Impact of Prolonged Stress on the Body

In the presence of chronic stress, we regularly see an increase in the development of prolonged anxiety, reduced resilience to stress, fatigue, brain fog, often metabolic concerns such as weight gain/loss, high blood pressure and poor blood glucose management. This anxiety and stress can have a crippling affect on your work, social and personal life, causing you to withdraw from the world to escape it.

Thankfully, we have some adaptogen herbs at our disposal. These are herbs to improve the previously mentioned ‘stress adaptation’ goal. The good news is many of these herbs have been used for thousands of years specifically for these conditions. They have also been researched in more recent times for their effects on stress management, anxiety and mood support.

Some of these herbs include, but not limited to:

Eleutherococcus (Siberian Ginseng)
Withania (Ashwagandha)
Glycyrrhiza (Liquorice Root)
Schisandra chinensis
Rhodiola

Naturopathic Mood Support

Balancing the mood can be an interplay between sex hormones, adrenal hormones and gut health. Supporting a person with low mood requires careful and thorough consultation to determine the root cause of the low mood. However, low mood can be improved with some key herbs, including:

Hypericum perforatum (St John’s Wort (caution with other medication)
Crocus sativus (Saffron)
Avena sativa (Oats Seed)
Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)
Lavandula angustifolia (Lavendar)
Turnera diffusa (Damiana)
Eleutherococcus (Siberian Ginseng)

Non-pharma Anxiety Support or Anxiolytics

When considering non-pharm based anxiety supports, we are looking at herbs classed as anxiolytics. These herbs take the edge off anxiety to reduce how significantly the anxiety affects you.

Passiflora incanata (Passionflower)
Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi)
Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy)
Turnera diffusa (Damiana)
Piper methysticum (Kava)
Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)

Some of these may be used alongside anxiety medication or as a standalone. Some herbs are not safe to take alongside pharmaceutical medications. When considering pairing with medication, specific dosing advice is required for safety, efficacy and to limit interactions.

Thinking Like a Naturopath

As Naturopaths, we do not consider anxiety to be a condition all on its own. Anxiety is approached holistically, asking questions such as:

Is the gut-brain axis overstimulating?
Are blood glucose levels well balanced or poorly managed?
Is there pain and inflammation (physical pain can significantly trigger anxiety)?
Are nutrient depletions evident? What is the pathology telling us?
Is stress adaptation effective?
What lifestyle practices may be contributing and how can we help this patient to make life easier (e.g. simpler healthy meals, adaptogen herbs, rather than 45 minutes of exercise, 15 minutes of really effective exercise to free up more time etc.)
Are hormones causing havoc in the nervous system?

A Naturopath is like an investigator, they think beyond the symptom and consider the whole person sitting in front of them. A Naturopath considers how all the parts (body systems), of that very unique person come to present with anxiety, low mood or unmanageable stress.

Professional Advice is Paramount

It is extremely important to understand that although the above-mentioned herbs have been recognised to support stress, mood and anxiety, it is not a one-size fits all.

For example, Liquorice Root can increase blood pressure and should be not taken by those with existing blood pressure or with blood pressure medications. Withania can influence hypothyroidism and caution is taken when prescribing in thyroid cases. Some of the herbs are more stimulating and may therefore, not be as indicated for people who experience wired or jittery feelings, but may support those who are depleted.

As you can see, the right herb and dosage should be prescribed specifically for a person’s individual health presentation. Therefore, consultation with a health professional who has adequate training in Naturopathic Medicine is advised.

Final Note on Natural Anxiety Supports

It is important to realise that you are not alone. Anxiety impacts millions of people in Australia. Herbs can offer a calming balance to a world of chaos for those experiencing anxiety, low mood and stress. Naturopathic medicines demonstrate little adverse reactions and are gentle on an already overwhelmed system that requires nurturing to return to equilibrium.

In Naturopathic treatments, your Naturopath will first work with you to identify the underlying cause of your anxiety, low mood and stress. From this information, they will combine the herbs that are most suited to your needs and presentation while factoring in any possible interactions that may occur. This, combined with a nourishing diet and exercise can go a long way to overcoming the stress and anxiety that overtakes you. That tiger may no longer seem so scary after all.

You’ve found someone to support you with Natural Anxiety Support on the Gold Coast. Naturopath Danielle is available to guide you when you decide to take the step towards supporting your anxiety and stress naturally. Contact Danielle to book an appointment.