Mindful Monday: Herbal Remedies for Stress and Anxiety from Dr. Eli Silver

Posted by Cameron Parkins

The teenage (and preteen) years can be stressful for anyone – even more so when one is dealing with all of the ups and downs that being a trans youth entails. Many parents and teens are uncomfortable about the potential side effects of anti-depression or anti-anxiety medications and would prefer natural ways to manage their stress and anxiety.

The following herbs are considered safe for kids and teens of any age, and won’t interfere or interact with either hormone blockers or hormone replacement therapy. That said, not all therapies are perfect for every kid. Make sure to consult with your naturopathic doctor or experienced integrative physician before deciding what’s right for you and your child.Lemon balm. This fragrant plant is a very gentle and safe nervous system tonic and anti-anxiety herb. 3-5ml of tincture or 600mg per day of capsules has been shown in studies to improve mood and increase calmness in children and adults.

• Lemon balm. This fragrant plant is a very gentle and safe nervous system tonic and anti-anxiety herb. 3-5ml of tincture or 600mg per day of capsules has been shown in studies to improve mood and increase calmness in children and adults.
• Chamomile. This classic herb is usually taken as a tea, but it can also be used as a tincture. It has a mildly sedative quality that is especially noticeable in young children. Chamomile has the added bonus of being relaxing to the digestive system – making it helpful for stress-related stomach aches and cramping.Passionflower. This beautiful flower is used for generalized anxiety disorder, especially when this results in insomnia. It both calms the nerves and helps with falling back to sleep in the middle of the night. A common dosage for teens is 2ml of tincture or 2g of dried herb once daily.
• Passionflower. This beautiful flower is used for generalized anxiety disorder, especially when this results in insomnia. It both calms the nerves and helps with falling back to sleep in the middle of the night. A common dosage for teens is 2ml of tincture or 2g of dried herb once daily.American Skullcap. This herb is helpful for nervous tension, hyperactivity, restlessness, and insomnia. Skullcap can be especially helpful for kids who have anxiety and depression together, or who cycle between the two. The liquid tincture works quickly and can be taken for in-the-moment anxiety. A common dosage for kids and teens is 2-4ml per day of tincture or 1g of dried herbs. This herb can also be combined with any or all of the herbs above for a relaxing before-bed tea.
• American Skullcap. This herb is helpful for nervous tension, hyperactivity, restlessness, and insomnia. Skullcap can be especially helpful for kids who have anxiety and depression together, or who cycle between the two. The liquid tincture works quickly and can be taken for in-the-moment anxiety. A common dosage for kids and teens is 2-4ml per day of tincture or 1g of dried herbs. This herb can also be combined with any or all of the herbs above for a relaxing before-bed tea.With the help of these much-loved herbal allies, the right diet, and the support of your health care team, most youth can learn how to find peace and positivity even through the tumult of their teen years.

With the help of these much-loved herbal allies, the right diet, and the support of your health care team, most youth can learn how to find peace and positivity even through the tumult of their teen years.

Dr. Eli Silver is a board certified Naturopathic Doctor (ND) in the Detroit Metropolitan area. He graduated from National University of Natural Medicine, a nationally accredited 4-year naturopathic medical school in Portland, Oregon. His medical education at NUNM included full time study in basic medical sciences, diagnostic techniques, pathophysiology, herbal medicine, nutrition, and pharmacology, in addition to two and a half years of clinical training as a medical intern.

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