We are living in unprecedented times. So much of our world as we know it has changed over the last few years. There are so many unknowns in our new world. So many uncertainties–jobs, churches, family, health, finances, education. This has left many of us feeling unsettled and anxious.
Anxiety. We have all felt anxious at some point in our lives. More than likely, we have experienced it more often than we would like to admit. As a Christian, how should we deal with anxiety? Let’s discuss a few things and see what Scripture has to say.
Causes of Anxiety
I want to make a delineation between two different uses of the word anxiety (or anxious).
First Definition of the Word Anxiety
Sometimes the word anxiety is used when someone feels anxious about a situation. In this instance, the word is being used as a verb, denoting an action on the part of the person that is anxious (actively letting the mind dwell on that which causes anxiety). The person has an uneasiness that disturbs their mind. This type of anxiousness is synonymous with fear, concern, and worry. When someone is anxious in this way, it often stems from a lack of faith and trust in the Lord.
Philippians 4:6 states,
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Notice that the first word in this verse is not capitalized. That is because this verse is actually a continuation of the previous verse which ends with “The Lord is at hand;”. We don’t have to be anxious or worried, because the Lord is at hand. All we need to do is bring Him our concerns through prayer and supplication (asking that our needs be met) with a heart of thanksgiving.
Verse 7 goes on to say,
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
So if we bring our anxieties to the Lord, He will be the provider of peace (the kind of peace that is beyond our understanding) that will guard both our hearts (what we are feeling) and our minds (what we are thinking).
Now that He is guarding our minds, He tells us what we should be filling our minds with.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
We have to renew our minds and our way of thinking. We aren’t to think as the world thinks, focusing on all of its fears and worries. We are to think on the things that are true (according to Scripture), honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise. In other words, we are to think on Jesus and meditate on His word!
Second Definition of the Word Anxiety
The second use of the word anxious is a physical state of being. It is sometimes referred to as an “anxiety attack”. When a person is physically anxious, they may experience heart palpitations, troubled or rapid breathing, increased heart rate, shaking or trembling, racing mind, weakness, brain fog, inability to move forward, stuck, drained, angry, argumentative, short tempered, or a myriad of other symptoms.
Interestingly, an anxiety attack can be brought on by being anxious (first definition discussed above), but it can also have many other physical, emotional, and spiritual causes. Physical causes can include anemia, low thyroid, blood sugar imbalances, medications, lack of sleep/rest, and food sensitivities. Emotionally, stress, trauma, ptsd, and abuse can all trigger anxiety attacks, as can spiritual warfare, oppression, and spiritual abuse.
At its root, an “anxiety attack” is a triggering of the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body’s stress response. It is sometimes known as “fight, flight, or freeze”. When our bodies are faced with stressful situations (either short-term or long-term), a chemical chain of events occurs starting in the brain (hypothalamus –> pituitary), causing the release of cortisol from the adrenal glands (located on top of the kidneys). This is known as the HPA axis.
For acute situations, this release of cortisol helps us deal with the stressful situation we are facing. But when our stress is long-term or when we are triggered by normal daily events, it begins to negatively impact our lives and our health.
Remedies for Anxiety
Ultimately, finding the cause of the anxiety is your best bet for treating the anxiety. If the anxiety is due to a lack of faith or trust in the Lord, prayer, meditation on the Word, and a renewing of the mind will be the place to start. I would also suggest asking for prayer and seeking encouragement from trusted brothers and sisters in Christ.
If the anxiety has a physical root cause, it is important to treat the root cause if it is known. The same can be said for emotional and spiritual causes. Trauma must be addressed, stressors should be removed, abuse should cease. This is not always possible, but it should be our goal.
Next, general health concerns should be addressed — quality nutrition, restful sleep, movement, sunshine, healthy relationships. After we have taken care of the basics, then we can move on to specifically treating the nervous system.
Natural Treatments for Anxiety
Most of the herbs that are used to treat people that experience anxiety fall into two general categories: adaptogens and nervines. (This is not taking into account herbs that are used to treat other conditions that might lead to anxiety.)
In David Winston’s book Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, he defines an adaptogen as an herb that “helps the human body adapt to stress, supports normal metabolic processes, and restores balance. They increase the body’s resistance to physical, biological, emotional, and environmental stressors and promote normal physiologic function.”
Nervines are herbs that nourish and calm the nervous system. They can both physically help restore the structure of the nervous system as well as help to bring the body back into a parasympathetic state of being.
It should be noted that while some adaptogens and nervines can have a more immediate effect, many of them should be taken long-term to give the body a chance to restore itself.
My Favorite Adaptogens
With that said, I would like to share my three favorite all-around adaptogens. Adaptogens can be taken in a variety of forms, but my favorite way to consume them is either as a daily tea or tincture. Because adaptogens work best when taken over a significant period of time, it is best to choose a method that will be most easily implemented into your daily routine.
Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Sometimes known as tulsi, this mint family plant is highly aromatic and displays beautiful dark green to purple leaves and flowers during the spring and summer months. In the traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Holy basil is considered a rasayana and highly revered. A rasayana is an herb that promotes longevity and abundant health.
Holy basil has a warm, sweet, slightly pungent taste that makes an exceptional tea blend when combined with other herbs. Holy basil reduces stress and stress related disorders. It also helps to balance blood sugar levels and enhance cerebral (brain) circulation and function. A daily morning cup of holy basil tea is said to lift one’s spirits and bring joy into your life.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
The Latin meaning of the species name somnifera means “sleep inducing”, indicating one of ashwagandha’s many uses. Many adaptogens are at least slightly stimulating, but ashwagandha is both a calming adaptogen and relaxing nervine. Along with promoting restful sleep, it has a relaxing effect on muscles and relieves minor aches and pains. Studies have shown that ashwagandha has a stimulating effect on the thyroid.
While the root has been traditionally powdered and served by mixing with warm milk, many find the taste too bitter to consume on a consistent basis. Taking a daily dose of the tincture may prove to be easier to swallow.
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius)
Considered by many Southern folk herbalists to be the “King of Herbs”, American ginseng has certainly proven to be an herbal staple both in the South and around the world. The export of ginseng from its native Appalachian mountains to China provided much funding for early Americans during the Revolutionary War.
American ginseng is most often indicated for young people as it is less stimulating than Asian ginseng. Due to the bitter constituents in American ginseng, old timer Tommie Bass used it as an alterative. An alterative is an herb that enhances elimination and metabolic function. American ginseng is also used as an immune amphoteric, balancing deficient or excessive immune system functions.
My Favorite Nervines
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
Skullcap is one of my all-around favorite personal herbs. When my nerves feel frazzled, I can take a dropperful of skullcap tincture and feel my entire body sigh with relief. Matt Wood explains this by saying, “It would seem to have an especial influence in equalizing the flow of the nervous currents…” Skullcap is good for those that are twitchy and overly sensitive to stimulations such as bright lights, loud noises, hot weather, and too much going on.
Skullcap is one of the nervines that works well in acute situations such as anxiety attacks, but also works long term as a trophorestorative to the nervous system. Skullcap combines very nicely with milky oats and motherwort in a tincture form.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
Motherwort is another bitter, aromatic mint family herb that is both cooling and relaxing. The Latin name means “lion hearted” and indicates its affinity for the heart, both physically and emotionally. It is a calming herb that was traditionally used to calm nerves, promote relaxation, and maintain a normal heart rhythm.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)
Passionflowers are some of the most unique and exquisitely beautiful flowers I have ever seen. Their beauty alone is enough to calm, sooth, and relax the nervous system. It is said that the passionflower received its name in honor of the Lord, because the corona in the center of the blossom resembled a crown of thorns.
Passionflower’s sweet smell and sour taste have a cooling or a slowing down effect on the body. Passionflower is an excellent anti-spasmodic herb to have on hand. It pairs exceptionally well with skullcap to calm nervous spasms and tremors. Passionflower is known to quiet the “monkey chatter” or excessive circular thinking in the mind. It is my go-to herb for occasional insomnia caused by an overstimulated mind. Passionflower’s gentle support makes it an ideal nervine for every member of the family.
Engaging the Relaxation Response
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the relaxation response, otherwise known as “rest and digest”. Ideally, we should spend the majority of our time engaging our parasympathetic nervous system, although very few of us are able to do so as often as we would like. Engaging the parasympathetic nervous system not only reduces anxiety, it reduces pain, stress, tension, slows our heart rate and breathing, and leaves us in a state of PEACE! Sounds delightful, doesn’t it!
How do we engage our relaxation response? Simple. Anything that relaxes us will engage the response.
— singing, laughing, massage, reading, resting, walking, talking with a friend, a nice bath, a good movie, gardening, stretching, a long hug, a hot cup of tea —
Find something that causes you to relax and take the time each day to engage the relaxation response.