Feeling restless, overwhelmed, or stuck in a loop of constant worry? Anxiety has become a modern epidemic and is often treated with instant solutions like pills or distractions. However, Ayurveda offers a deeper, time-tested approach that not only suppresses anxiety but helps dissolve it from the root.
The answer lies in Ayurvedic herbs like Ashwagandha and Brahmi along with other necessary lifestyle changes that realign the mind and body. In this article, let’s explore how these ancient remedies can instantly soothe your nerves and build much-needed resilience (strength to bounce back).
What is Anxiety? How Can Ayurveda Help?
In modern medicine, anxiety is defined as excessive worry, fear, or nervousness, often accompanied by symptoms like a racing heart, insomnia, and irritability. According to Ayurveda, anxiety is largely linked to an imbalance in the Vata dosha, which is responsible for movement, air, and space in the body. When Vata is aggravated, it causes overthinking, nervousness, fear, dryness, and a disturbed nervous system.
Instead of masking the symptoms, Ayurveda aims to balance the Vata, calm the mind through herbs, and alter your dysfunctional functioning by improving diet, routine, and breathwork.
Ayurvedic Herbs that Melt Anxiety Instantly
Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is called a Rasayana in Ayurveda, which means a rejuvenator. It is best known for its adaptogenic properties that help in healing of the body by adapting to stress naturally.
As soon as you include Ashwagandha in your diet, you will see your cortisol (stress hormone) levels drop. Also, it will calm the nervous tension and irritability by improving sleep quality. According to results of a study mentioned in Medical News Today, the deep phase of sleep is a natural anxiety reliever. Hence, consistent consumption of Ashwagandha builds long-term resistance to emotional triggers.
How to Use Ashwangandha for Anxiety: Best use is mixing 1 tsp of Ashwagandha with warm milk and drink before bed. If you can’t gulp down the powder or don’t have that much time up your sleeves, take 300-600 mg daily under the guidance of a practitioner. Another classic and convenient way is to use Ashwagandha ghee, which calms Vata and supports the nervous system.
Note: For noticeable results, always use Ashwagandha consistently for at least 4-6 weeks.
Brahmi (Bacopa Monnieri), also known as the Brain Tonic is another powerful herb that directly works on the mind and nervous system. It is often prescribed to students and professionals dealing with mental fatigue, lack of focus, and anxiety.
Brahmi enhances clarity, memory, and calmness. This magical herb reduces restlessness and panic by enhancing cognitive health and nourishing brain cells. In ayurveda, Brahmi Vati is one the common medicines prescribed to health seekers suffering from anxiety and stress.
Additionally, Brahmi contains powerful antioxidants that protect against cell damage caused by free radicals in the body. According to a study, it was found that taking 300 mg of Bacopa Monnieri daily reduced anxiety and depression in comparison to a control group.
How to Use Brahmi for Anxiety: Boil the fresh herb or powder in water and steep for 5 to 7 minutes. Sip during the day. If you do not want to consume Brahmi, you can also topically use Brahmi oil on your head that will reduce anxiety, cools the mind, and promotes deep sleep. It can be combined with Shankhpushpi or Mandukaparni for better results.
Other Ayurvedic Herbs to Support Anxiety Relief
While Ashwagandha and Brahmi are the primary herbs to melt the anxiety, other helpful herbs are –
- Jatamansi: Relieves chronic stress and nervous tension
- Tagara: Helps in deeper sleep
- Vacha: Helps clear negative thoughts and sluggish thinking
If you think these herbs or lifestyle changes can’t help you deal with anxiety, you are wrong. These are the essential steps in your daily routine that will help you stay afloat throughout the day without losing basic functionality. (Here is when Ayurvedic Treatment for Anxiety should be considered for a permanent solution.)
Ayurvedic Lifestyle Changes to Curb Anxiety
Herbs alone cannot heal you from anxiety. Ayurveda encourages a holistic lifestyle that aligns with the natural rhythm of nature. They are as follows –
A) Follow a Dinacharya: Do what our forefathers used to follow, sleeping and waking up at the same everyday. Going to work, studying, eating, and more everything had a proper time, which helped them in having high resilience to deal with common stressors of life. Also, proper routine brings stability to Vata.
B) Abhyanga (Oil Massage): Daily warm oil massage with sesame or Brahmi oil calms the nervous system. Self-massage for 15 minutes before taking a bath or before sleeping.
C) Nasya Therapy: Applying ghee or Anu Taila in nostrils helps reduce anxiety and mental fog, as it nourishes the nasal tract.
D) Pranayama: Deep breathing or other breathing practices like Nadi Shodhana and Bhramari releases stress stuck in the mind.
E) Avoid Excess Stimulation: If you are already under active anxiety, you will find comfort in stimulations like sitting in front of screen, doom scrolling, loud music, erratic eating, substance abuse in some cases, and more. But, they are nothing but – A BIG DISTRACTION! Refrain from it.
What to Eat & What to Avoid for Anxiety
You must have heard “You are what you eat.” Believe me or not everything you are doing to yourself makes a huge difference in how you feel. Everything from internal consumption to external environment contribute to your levels of anxiety and stress.
Recommended Diet for Calming Anxiety (Vata-pacifying)
Always eat warm-cooked homemade foods like khichdi, ghee, soups, stews and more. Include a glass of warm milk infused with nutmeg, ashwagandha, and a little bit of ghee at night before sleep. Remember to have root vegetables like carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes. Also, as mentioned-above Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Chamomile and Brahmi herbal teas can help in alleviation of anxiety.
Worst Foods for Your Anxiety
According to Ayurveda, raw salads, cold smoothies, frozen foods, dry snacks, crackers, chips, and puffed rice aggravate the Vata dosha. High consumption of caffeine, carbonated drinks, and alcohol are not good for health seekers dealing with anxiety.
As someone who tries to follow spiritualism, I believe that consuming non-vegetarian food aggravates fear in individuals. Although there are no recorded studies that support this argument, I have experienced my anxiety levels shoot up after consuming meat, which is opposite otherwise. If you don’t agree with me, imagine a chick or a goat crying for help before getting cut by the butcher. Hence, consuming meat is not going to help you in any way.
Final Thoughts
Ayurveda views anxiety not as a problem itself, but as a symptom of deeper imbalance. Herbs like Ashwagandha and Brahmi provide gentle yet powerful tools to restore that balance. When combined with the right foods, lifestyle, and brain practices, they can melt away the anxiety from its roots.
Even after following these steps you are still anxious, don’t wait or ignore these signs and go to see an Ayurvedic doctor right away. One personal tip to deal with anxiety is by spending time with your family or loved ones. Don’t stay alone all the time and spend time in community.
I know your time is tough and nothing makes sense right now but you are not alone. Look around and you have so much that will help you. Have faith and immerse yourself in the things that give you sheer happiness. Just follow the right steps to say goodbye to anxiety.
