The best anxiety reliever is Valeriana root. There are some non-prescription forms in pills or drops.

Herbal mint tea also helps to soothe and calm.

If you are already on medication, I would not take any herbal remedy without first okaying it with your physician. However, you can try herbal teas. Passion Flower tea and a tea with Valerian root (such as Sleepy Time) are both good as they have a very lovely relaxing and calming effect.

Many years ago, I used to use St. John's Wort and Kava Kava when I had depression and anxiety around my PMS time. It worked great, but I stopped taking them, not because I had any problems but because I had read of others having problems. You may want to ask your physician what he/she thinks of you trying one of those. Blessings!

Please do not start taking any herbs without consulting with a doctor first. Many doctors are open to combining herbal alternatives with normal medication and are aware of the side effects (or can find them out for you) that may arise from certain combinations. St. John's Wort is an amazing herb for anxiety and/or depression (which often accompanies severe anxiety) but it is also incredibly volatile when combined with just about any anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication.

Valerian has relatively few interactions with prescription medication, but because there are so many different medications that can be used to treat anxiety you really need to ask a doctor (or pharmacist) before you mix the two. Sometimes scaling back on prescription medication is needed to ensure you don't get drowsy while taking an herbal medication as well.

I suffer from a severe panic disorder (and agoraphobia) and I currently use Valerian root pills along with my prescribed Effexor. My doctor okayed that combination for me and when I go in for check-ups I have to take the bottle of medication and the herbs so that they can chart exactly what I'm on; it's treated just like another medication.

Thanks for sharing!