Anxiety can be described as the stress-filled state of mind in other words tension, apprehension, jitters, etc. The term includes different forms of abnormal and pathological fears where the person feels nervous all the time. This is a kind of mental disorder that is usually accompanied by panic attacks and compulsive behavior.
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Ayurveda treatments are based on the concept that when the doshas go out of sync the body is exposed to diseases. There are many ways to bring back the balance in the doshas and to restore the harmony of the body and mind with that of nature.
Symptoms
The feeling of apprehension or fear may aggravate and causes uneasiness all of a sudden without any provocation.
- The person always feels restless
- Too much worry and tension leads to difficulty in concentrating
- It may lead to palpitation, sweating, headache, chest pain and sometimes shortness of breath
- Persons with this disorder can get tired easily and tend to tremble often
- Many people go into depression and some of them may resort to alcohol or drug abuse.
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Causes
- Traumatic and stressful situations may lead to anxiety disorder.
- When the neurotransmitters of the brain go out of balance, they lose the ability to receive the messages properly due to the blockage in transmission. The brain reacts to certain situations changes due to this and can cause anxiety.
- Family history has a major role to play in the occurrence of anxiety disorder.
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Ayurvedic Remedies for Anxiety
Oil Massage: Full body oil massage works well in reducing anxiety. The medicated oils are rubbed into the skin in a particular way to expel the toxins from the body. The selection of oil depends on the dosha type of the body and the level of aggravation. For Vata disorders sesame oil works well; pitta dosha disorders can be controlled by using sunflower oil or coconut oil. For kapha related ailments corn oil works best. The oil is warmed and rubbed into the skin from head to toe. The massage is usually given just before the morning bath but in extreme cases, it can also be given at bedtime. A mini massage suits certain types of anxiety and the appropriate oil is rubbed on the scalp and the bottom of the feet.
Herbs and Tea
An herbal tea made of Tagar and Musta, boiled with a cup of water, and taken twice a day can reduce anxiety due to vata dosha. Almond milk can also be effective in reducing anxiety. Soak almonds overnight and blend with warm milk with a pinch of ginger and nutmeg each to make this therapeutic drink. Yoga and meditation are recommended to calm the mind to eliminate negative thoughts. Breathing exercises as part of yoga can alleviate stress and anxiety effectively. If there is a rise in heartbeat, orange juice with a pinch of nutmeg powder and 1 teaspoon of honey can be taken. Bathing in water in which baking powder and ginger are added relaxes the senses.