Beat Anxiety Safely with this Herb

Did you know that anxiety is a relatively common mental health disorder? According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 40 million American adults are affected by anxiety disorders each year. Anxiety can manifest in a number of different ways. Some of the more common symptoms are sweating, shaking, shortness of breath, irritability, excessive worrying, or headaches. Anxiety disorders include specific phobias, which are fears of specific places or things, panic disorder, which is characterized by panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, which exhibits itself through obsessive, ritualistic behaviors and thoughts, and generalized anxiety disorder, which is a state of general fear, worry and tension.

Chamomile to Beat Anxiety

Chamomile is an herb that has been used in traditional and herbal medicines for thousands of years. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks used chamomile for its multitude of physical and mental benefits. The anxiety relieving potential of chamomile has been under scientific investigation since the 1980s and it has been reported that the active ingredient apigenin naturally present in chamomile acts like common drugs for anxiety without the same side effects.

Calming Smoothie

If you are feeling overwhelmed, can’t seem to be able to relax and your mind is going in a thousand directions, try this easy-does-it calming smoothie recipe today:

• 1 cup fresh spinach
• ½ cup frozen strawberries
• ½ cup frozen mango
• ¾ cup brewed chamomile tea (chilled)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• Blend all ingredients until smooth