Herbal remedies for anxiety - what works and what doesn't

Researchers from the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Los Angeles, have been reviewing research into nutritional supplements for treating anxiety. They pooled the results of 24 studies involving more than 200 participants. They found that extracts of passionflower and kava were effective as were L-lysine and L-arginine but that St John's Wort and magnesium supplements were not. There were no serious side effects from any of the herbal remedies.

Kava for anxiety and depression

Kava is a medicinal plant from the South Pacific. Researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia have been looking into its effectiveness in treating depression and anxiety and have come up with encouraging results. The study compared kava to a placebo and found that kava dramatically decreased anxiety levels and had a positive impact on reducing depression. Kava was banned in Europe, the U.K. and Canada in 2002 because it can cause liver problems but this study used a different method of extracting the medicine from the plant which should avoid these difficulties.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511122619.htm