anxiolytic

<p>Terminology to describe the classification of medicines is often applied loosely and inconsistently in modern usage. Sedatives (according to the <em>Oxford Dictionary</em>) soothe the nervous system. Implied in the term, however, is a resulting state of sedation. In Contrast, anxiolytics allay anxiety, without necessarily inducing a state of sedation. In modern parlance, sedatives are often used to describe substances that induce sleep. But the correct term for this is <a href="brain://RB9040yNSlmAW356Dz4umQ/HypnoticsSedatives">hypnotic</a>. That said, its obvious that most sedatives will assist someone with disturbed sleep (but probably work better as such when taken throughout the day, rather than just before bed)</p>

<h3>Plant remedies traditionally used spasmolytics as relaxants (anxiolytics)</h3>

<p><em>Corydalis spp., Dioscorea spp. </em>&nbsp;(wild yam), <em>Leonurus cardiaca </em>&nbsp;(motherwort), &nbsp;<em>Matricaria recutita</em> (chamomile), <em>Melissa officinalis</em> (lemon balm), <em>Passiflora incarnata </em>&nbsp;(passionflower), <em>Piper methysticum</em> (kava), <em>Scutellaria lateriflora</em> (skullcap), <em>Tilia spp. </em>(Linden flowers), <em>Valeriana officinalis</em> (valerian)</p>

<h3>Indications for spasmolytics and relaxants</h3>

<ul>

<li>Anxiety, irritability and restlessness, including in children</li>

<li>Sleeplessness due to anxiety and irritability</li>

<li>Nervous dyspepsia</li>

<li>Irritable bowel and intestinal colic</li>

<li>Tension headaches and migraines</li>

<li>Spasmodic dysmenorrhea</li>

</ul>

<p>Anxiolytic herbs should not, in general, make the patient drowsy or affect their capacity to drive or use machinery. However, some sensitive patients may complain of this. These are usually people who are sleep-deprived or &lsquo;living on their nerves&rsquo; and the herbs are probably only making them aware of how tired their bodies are. Due attention to rest and sleep, usually eliminates this effect over a few weeks.</p>

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<p>Stress induced hyperthermia, when you&rsquo;re stressed your body temperature goes up, all known anxiolytics will reduce this.</p>

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<p>Mice who have been chronically given a probiotic behave as if they are on Valium. Mice who have been given Lactobacillus act as if they are on Prozac.</p>

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<p>Anxiolytic herbs can be used to aid the withdrawal of benzodiazepine drugs. The herbs should be taken for a few weeks before the drugs are gradually withdrawn. Additive effects to the benzodiazepines are minimal.</p>