Echinacea for Anxiety? – Weight Loss Diet Solutions

I received an email a little while ago on the power of Echinacea for Anxiety. I did not know this before but we have all heard in the past that Echinacea taken just as you are getting a cold can cut the amount of time that the cold lasts.

A new breakthrough in treatment for anxiety comes from a surprising place. One of the best-known herbal remedies in the world is Echinacea, widely-known for support of the immune system.

Recent clinical studies by scientists at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences found that anxiety relieving compounds from a unique strain, Echinacea angustifolia, can significantly reduce feelings of anxiety and tension with no side effects.

Echinacea Research

echinacea flower

The scientists report that Echinacea angustifolia root contains substances that bind to specific brain receptors that signal our bodies to reduce anxiety and restore calm. Dosage levels have been found to be very important. At high levels (hundreds of milligrams), echinacea acts as an immune stimulant.

However, anxiety relief only occurs at low doses. Typically, no more than 20 mg at a time is necessary for significant stress, tension and anxiety relief.

An extract of this special echinacea was tested in human volunteers experiencing increased anxiety and tension. After only one day of use, the participants experienced a significant reduction on the anxiety measurement scale, which increased to a 25% reduction by day 7.

The participants did not have issues with drowsiness or confusion, and there was no interference with their daytime activities.

In another scientific study, echinacea extracts were compared to the prescription anti-anxiety drug, chlordiazepoxide (Librium). Echinacea angustifolia extract reduced anxiety comparable to the prescription drug.

It was found to not only meet or exceed the drug anti-anxiety effects, but did not cause drowsiness, a common side effect of prescription drugs for anxiety. So perhaps it is time to try using echinacea flowers for anxiety.

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