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I think most people can remember at least a few times when they’ve been anxious. Maybe it was right before giving a presentation at work, or the day they were ready to walk down the aisle with their soon-to-be spouse. As distracting and annoying as that level of anxiety can be, it’s to be expected now and then. But for all too many, it’s a crushing weight that they experience every day. In fact, approximately 40 million Americans ages 18 and older have an anxiety disorder. As a term, “anxiety” covers a fairly broad field. Again, for some, it’s just an occasional problem, cropping up during rush deadlines or family events. For others, it becomes worse over time, initially brought about by a bout of ill health or a traumatic event and requiring a full range of therapeutic intervention. It can lead to panic attacks, social phobias, and a host of emotionally crippling conditions. For most however, anxiety is simply a feeling at the edge of each day that something isn’t right, and a disproportionate sense of unease, even over what would, under other circumstances, be considered trivial. It’s not surprising that during times like these – persistent unemployment, a long-lasting war that touches almost everyone – that anxiety would seem common. And even though pleasurable to many, holidays can be an enormous source of stress and anxiety. But what might be surprising is an herbal ingredient that can handle anxiety without giving you negative side effects like sleepiness, confusion and liver problems. In this Terry Talks Nutrition, we’ll take a look at a familiar botanical with an unexpected benefit.

Anxiety Diminishes Life
Anxiety invades life in so many ways that it can seem inescapable for those who suffer the constant state of worry and fear. Certainly it prevents people from taking risks at work, which probably holds them back more than they’d like to realize. For instance, anxiety might make you keep your good ideas to yourself instead of sharing them publicly. It has been my observation, after many years of working with all kinds of people, including successful business leaders, that people with less anxiety have higher levels of financial success. It makes sense to me that reducing anxiety could not only benefit your health and happiness, it could have a tremendous impact on your bank account, too. Of course, anxiety takes a toll on personal relationships and life at home because spouses will recognize that the person they love is upset about something even if it seems impossible to pin down exactly what the problem is. Anxiety and stress definitely take a toll on the body, as well as the mind. It is no stretch to say that, left unchecked, it can lead to all kinds of trouble: stomach disorders, cardiovascular problems, lack of libido, and potentially long-term damage to your ability to think clearly. Treating anxiety is a challenge, too. Conventional medical practice relies on prescription drugs that are almost as well-known for their side effects as for their ability to treat the problem. I can assure you that there’s a better way: echinacea.

Echinacea for Anxiety?
Yes, it’s true. While best known during the cold and flu season for being an immune booster, emerging science shows a new use for this botanical–specifically, a novel and unique extract of specially grown Echinacea angustifolia, administered at low doses.

What Took So Long?
So why wasn’t this seen a long time ago? After all, echinacea is one of the most highly utilized dietary supplements in America.  It turns out that the particular type of echinacea and very narrow dosage range found effective for anxiety is not the same as the hundreds of milligrams of echinacea used for boosting the immune system. The discovery came about when researchers at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences were analyzing different species of echinacea and found that some of the plants contained compounds that were known to influence brain chemistry, including cannabinoid receptors. Endocannabinoid receptors are known to influence the way the brain experiences anxiety, and have become a focus of behavioral research in their own right. The comparison test of 5 different Echinacea preparations showed that only one – Echinacea angustifolia, grown with unique specifications – possessed high enough levels of compounds to show anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) effects.

Clinical Findings
In a scientific study, 7 types of echinacea extracts were compared to the prescription anti-anxiety drug, chlordiazepoxide (also known by the brand name Librium). While 2 echinacea preparations showed some mild effects, only one demonstrated a robust ability to reduce anxiety in a wide dosage range comparable to the prescription drug. The results of this study were amazing. Once again, this special echinacea root extract was found to not only meet or exceed the drug anti-anxiety effects, but to not cause drowsiness, which can be a common side effect of prescription drugs for anxiety. [ J. Haller, J. Hohmann, T. F. Freund. The effect of Echinacea preparations in three laboratory tests of anxiety: comparison with chlordiazepoxide. Phytotherapy Research. 9999; 9999. 2010.] Then, the preparation of Echinacea angustifolia was tested with individuals experiencing generalized anxiety disorder. 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. This unique preparation of Echinacea angustifolia root extract was found to not only meet or exceed the drug anti-anxiety effects, but also did not interfere with any activities of daily living – a common side effect of prescription drugs for anxiety.

Dosage – More Is Not Better
We’re used to thinking that “more is better,” but this time, that’s not the case. Dosage levels of this special echinacea extract are very important. As is well known, at high levels (hundreds of milligrams) echinacea acts as an immune stimulant. However, anxiety relief only occurs at low doses, and disappears when the dosage is greatly increased. Typically, no more than 20 mg at a time is necessary for significant stress, tension and anxiety relief. This extract can also be used every 4 to 6 hours, if necessary, making it extremely convenient. For patients with only occasional anxiety, it can be taken before a stressful event, such as a public speaking, a presentation, or air travel. With the way things are in the world today, interest in supplemental or alternative approaches to anxiety is running high. And this special echinacea extract from Hungary may well be the most amazingly effective herbal treatment you’ve ever tried—hands down.

Conclusion
Sometimes you can’t control stressful events. But when anxiety starts to take its toll, robbing you of rest, energy, and spirit, there is an effective natural intervention that can make a real difference in your life. This special Echinacea extract, developed specifically to reduce anxiety, works quickly to restore a sense of balance in your life. You will feel the difference the first day, and it keeps getting better. You can start on the road to getting your life back today.