Everyone has a little anxiety now and then—starting a new job or facing tough deadlines and many demands. But for some of your patients, anxiety may be overwhelming. Their waking moments are clouded by a sense of impending disaster, or outright fear—without any obvious cause. There is something you can do to help.

Let’s take a look at some basic facts and symptoms of anxiety.

Anxiety is Common—Healthy Solutions Aren’t.
For all too many, anxiety is a crushing weight experienced every day. In fact, approximately 40 million Americans age 18 and older have an anxiety disorder.

Conventional drugs to treat anxiety are almost as well known for their side effects as for their degree of relief. In fact, a team of researchers from France and Canada linked use of benzodiazepines, a common class of prescription medications used for treating anxiety, to an increased risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Familiar benzodiazepines include the brand names Valium, Xanax, Librium, and Ativan. The study reported that taking a benzodiazepine for 3 to 6 months raised the risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 32 percent, and taking it for more than 6 months boosted the risk by 84 percent.

And while there are many botanicals that have been recognized to be useful in varying degrees for anxiety (valerian, alpha-linolenic acid, flaxseed, kava, and gotu kola), some people may experience side effects and interactions from them as well. Plus, the time-frame for relief may be too long with some of them. But there is another clinically tested, but unexpected herbal ingredient for anxiety: echinacea.

A Different Kind of Echinacea.
The echinacea extract used to relieve anxiety, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed is not the same one you’d recommend for a cold or the flu. It’s a different, specialized root extract of Echinacea angustifolia, especially studied for anxiety relief.

The use of this particular extract for anxiety began at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in Budapest. Researchers were studying various species of echinacea, when one type of Echinacea angustifolia showed a different set of fingerprints, DNA, and chemical composition than other Echinacea angustifolia plants that are studied for the immune system.

While analyzing the plant, researchers found that it contained compounds (echinacoside and alkamides) that could influence brain chemistry, including the cannabinoid receptors. Endocannabinoid receptors influence the way the brain experiences anxiety and have become a focus of behavioral research in their own right. In fact, many of your patients may be considering using a hemp supplement to do as well. However, since many hemp supplements may have varying quality, it is good to have a clinically tested, non-hemp option to recommend.

After comparing all the echinacea species, only this Echinacea angustifolia—provided the levels of anxiety-reducing compounds needed to produce dramatic results. All of this depended, of course, on localized conditions, growing and harvesting times, and a host of other factors.

In a further study, seven types of echinacea extracts were compared to the prescription anti-anxiety drug, chlordiazepoxide (also known by the brand name Librium). Only this one echinacea preparation demonstrated a robust ability to reduce anxiety in a wide dosage range comparable to the prescription drug.

In fact, this echinacea root extract exceeded the drug’s anti-anxiety effects. It also didn’t cause any drowsiness—a common side effect of prescription drugs for anxiety. Aside from drowsiness and lethargy, the other adverse effects for chlordiazepoxide include confusion, edema, nausea, constipation, menstrual abnormalities, jaundice, altered libido, involuntary movements, and controlled substance dependence/addiction. And the potential serious adverse effects for the special echinacea preparation?

None.

Fast-Acting, Dramatic Results.
Clinical research shows fast-acting results. In one study, the special extract of Echinacea angustifolia was tested with individuals experiencing increased anxiety and tension. After just one day, the participants noticed a reduction in stress and anxiety, with an even greater reduction in just seven days.

And, in another study published in the March 2012 issue of Phytotherapy Research, people recorded noticeably reduced stress and anxiety in just three days.

The study included 33 volunteers (22 women and 11 men) with an average age of 41. All experienced anxiety, which was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), to measure anxiety levels. Only individuals meeting the threshold for elevated anxiety levels were included in the study.

Participants used the echinacea extract for one week, and anxiety was evaluated before, during, and after using the product. The extract decreased STAI scores within three days, an effect that remained stable for the duration of the treatment (seven days) and for the two weeks that followed treatment. There were no dropouts and no side effects.

Aside from the lack of side effects, a fast-acting, natural approach like this can make life much better much better for your patients. With other herbs, that’s not always the case. It takes eight weeks to achieve significant results with chamomile, three to eight weeks for kava (depending upon whether it is a water or ethanolic extract), and six to ten weeks for lavender.

Safely Relieves Anxiety.
More recently, researchers have examined higher dosages of this specialized echinacea.

A multi-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase II study involved 26 volunteers and a stronger dosage level. Individuals in the study were diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) according to DSM-IV (Diagnostics and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria. The study started with a screening phase, followed by the six weeks of double-blind treatment.

During treatment, participants received either 40 mg of the special Echinacea angustifolia extract or placebo tablets twice daily. Between visits 1 and 6 during the treatment period, the number of severely anxious patients (HADS-A scores larger than 11) decreased from 11 to zero in the echinacea group. This specialized echinacea preparation significantly reduced anxiety in GAD patients, with a full effect within about 21 days.

While it took longer to notice results than the study that used patients with mild to moderate anxiety, that is to be expected. The extract still worked considerably faster than most typical prescription anti-anxiety medications, with the exception of benzodiazepines. But benzodiazepines also cause significant side effects—sedation, weakness, and movement coordination problems—and have the potential to be addictive. That is not a problem with this extract.

For Powerful Relief of Anxiety.
If you have patients suffering from considerable anxiety and stress, you may recommend taking a higher level for at least one week. As their anxiety subsides, they may be able to reduce the dosage to just 20 mg twice daily and make it part of their regular regimen. Your guidance can help determine the appropriate level and usage.

This echinacea extract has no serious side effects, and it can be used long term, combined with other medicines. Even school age children with anxiety can take between 20 to 40 mg daily.

For occasional bouts of anxiety, patients may want to try 20 mg before a stressful event, such as public speaking, a presentation, or air travel.

For relief of anxiety:

Adults: 20-40 mg of Echinacea angustifolia Root Extract standardized for a unique, proprietary alkamide profile twice a day. You may also take at bedtime to help with sleep.

Children (4 years old and up): 20 mg Echinacea angustifolia Root Extract standardized for a unique, proprietary alkamide profile twice a day.