Any herby wise women to guide me?

[CrotchBurn]

Okay I have issues with stress, quite a few factors outside my control right now that are causing me a LOT of stress, resentment and frustration, which has been triggering rumination and obsessively going over my issues and then panic attacks. My body is reacting against me - hammering heart, light headed, feeling like I'm going to die or go out of control etc - classic panic attacks. I've done blood tests and theres nothing physically wrong with me it's all in my head.

Whilst i wait to tackle the cause I was going to try some herbs for the symptoms.

Been reading up on adaptogenic herbs and have some questioms:
1/ Does anyone with knowledge know of I can take ashwagandha and rhodiola together in the morning?
2/ Is this dangerous long term?
3/ Also, can I have a cup of valerian tea in the evening to replace wine or will this interact badly?
4/ Will this slow me down mentally? I can't take anxiety medication as my job requires me to be really on it.
5/ Do herbs actually work? I've tried rescue remedy and it does fuck all!

Anything to stay off synthetic drugs

"synthetic drugs"...rigorously tested, licensed, constantly monitored and prescribed by an expert with years of medical training...vs a bag of green shit or a bottle of shaken water some woman in a kaftan sold you that she swears will make you feel better, which could be anything and do anything (though it will probably do nothing at all).

I mean, obviously, anything to stay off those synthetic drugs

You may not be able to address the situation causing you stress, but it sounds like you need to address the rumination... have you tried meditation, CBT or anything similar?
Once your body gets used to constant stress your brain will actually start to go out of it's way to create a similar environment, because from a very primal perspective, it's kept you alive so far and therefore feels like a good strategy.
Recovering from chronic stress requires challenging these thought patterns through meditation or similar - our brains are neuroplastic therefore whatever you focus on tends to become more habitual (it's science, not magic)
It also requires you to relax your body, on purpose, as often as you remember throughout the day.
Once you get your mind and body working together towards that common goal, you are on the right track.
With regard to "herbs" I would echo some of the previous posters - magnesium is known to be the relaxation mineral and many of us are deficient so there is no harm in trying it. You may have to try a few types to see what works for you.

@ItsJustARide thank you for that. I found it useful! I don't suppose you would mind sharing which triple magnesium complex brand you use please? We just cannot get in with the spray but do use Epsom salts in baths. Thank you

[quote CalamitiesRus]@ItsJustARide thank you for that. I found it useful! I don't suppose you would mind sharing which triple magnesium complex brand you use please? We just cannot get in with the spray but do use Epsom salts in baths. Thank you [/quote]
If you can hold of magnesium flakes, it's very easy to make your own oil which can be used as a spray or added to bath... Along with some aromathery oils... Bliss!

These replies are really interesting, thank you. I know from past experience with myself that too many good intentions leads to fuck all. So while I will definitely try learning to meditate, first I'm going to focus on doing couch to 5k starting tomorrow morning, and taking the magnesium! Will report back...

Just a question though re magnesium in baths and sprays. Does it actually do anything via the skin or is that purely psychological?!

Yes I believe it is absorbed through the skin.
I would second Epsom salts - buy them cheap in bulk from eBay
Strong chamomile tea before bed
Take magnesium supplement before bed
I drink tulsi tea (holy basil) throughout the day and really rate it

Organic herbal remedies is a good website for loose herbal teas, I get all mine from there

I've found that the only herbal remedy that works for me (and I've tried a lot) is Rhodiola and I can't recommend it enough. It really does help with anxiety and mood swings. I use Health Aid 500mg.

Apart from that other things I've found to help are a low carb diet (sugar has an effect on anxiety), meditation, yoga (adriene has some great sessions for stress and anxiety on YouTube) and most importantly for me cutting out caffeine.

Beta blockers are also good for a short term fix. From your symptoms you would probably benefit from these so you should chat to your GP. They take away the physical symptoms of the anxiety

Yes I believe it is absorbed through the skin

You believe wrong.

Good job really, since if your oils and lotions were absorbed transdermally, it would be rather dangerous and could actually kill you.

@Fufumuji
So does that mean all of the magnesium sprays and lotions are a complete con then? Can't say I'd be surprised but there are an awful lot of them on the market