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It’s generally considered safe in moderate amounts. Possible side effects include dizziness, nausea, or drowsiness, especially when taken with alcohol or sedatives. Avoid during pregnancy or while driving.

For anxiety support, some of the best herbs include calming nervines which directly soothe the nervous system to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation, and adaptogens which help the body build long-term resilience to stress and balance overall mood and energy. 

Some of our favourite herbs for anxiety include: 

• Passionflower: Calms nervous tension and supports restful sleep.
• Lemon Balm: Gently uplifts mood and soothes the digestive system.
• Chamomile: Provides gentle relaxation and eases irritability.
• Kava: Deeply relaxes and helps with social anxiety (use cautiously).
• Skullcap: Supports nervous system recovery and eases mental overwhelm.
• Damiana: Uplifts mood, reduces social anxiety and opens the heart
• Blue Lily (Blue Lotus) – Mildly euphoric and heart-opening
• Ashwagandha: Builds long-term resilience to stress and balances adrenal function.
• Tulsi (Holy Basil): Uplifts mood and promotes emotional balance.
• Rhodiola: Energizes while reducing stress-related mental fatigue.

Choosing the right herb depends on your specific anxiety symptoms—whether you need gentle calming, mood support, adrenal balance, or social ease.

For anxiety attacks—which come on suddenly and feel intense—fast-acting herbs that calm the nervous system and ease panic are most effective. Here are some of the best ones:

• Kava – One of the strongest herbal relaxants. Calms the mind and body quickly, making it ideal for acute anxiety or panic. Best used occasionally. We recommend our Instant Kava for quick & easy preparation.
• Passionflower – Soothes racing thoughts and tension. Great for calming the nerves during high-stress moments or before bed. We recommend our Passionflower 1:2 Liquid Herb for ease of use & quick absorption.
• Skullcap – Eases sudden nervous tension, restlessness, and twitchy muscles. Can help slow mental spiraling. We recommend our Skullcap 1:2 Liquid Herb for ease of use & quick absorption.
• California Poppy – A gentle sedative that reduces emotional overwhelm and physical symptoms like a pounding heart or tight chest.
• Lemon Balm – Quick-acting and soothing for both the mind and digestion. Ideal when anxiety causes stomach upset or shakiness. We recommend our Lemon Balm 1:2 Liquid Herb for ease of use & quick absorption.
• Lavender – Both aromatherapy and internal use can rapidly calm the nervous system and reduce panic symptoms.
• Rescue Plus (Bach Flower Essence + Australian Bush Flower Essence) – Not an herb, but a classic fast-acting flower essence blend many find helpful in moments of crisis.

Use California Poppy as an alcohol alternative when you're seeking gentle relaxation, emotional ease, and nervous system support—without feeling drowsy or dulled. It's ideal for:

• Anxious or emotionally turbulent days, when you need to soften overwhelm and regain calm.
• Social situations where you feel a bit guarded or tense, and want to open up gently.
• Evening unwinding, especially if you're trying to reduce alcohol use and support sleep naturally.

California Poppy offers a soothing, heart-calming effect that helps ease you into a peaceful, connected state—making it a beautiful herbal ally for replacing alcohol.

California Poppy has a reputation of being a milder, non-addictive alternative to other poppies, and can be used for insomnia. California Poppy is also a useful pain relieving herb, particularly in cases of nerve-generated pain such as sciatica, neuralgia and migraine. If you are experiencing trouble sleeping due to pain, this is definitely a herb to try! When used as a tea before bed, California Poppy promotes a long, restful sleep. Sometimes it can be so effective that we recommend being in bed before taking it – the drowsiness can set in very quickly!
PRO TIP: It’s also quite bitter as a tea, so we recommend trying our California Poppy extract Mellow Yellow.

See more on Sleep.

Chamomile is best used for anxiety when you need gentle calming—especially if your symptoms include irritability, digestive discomfort, or difficulty sleeping. It's ideal in the evening to ease you into rest, or during the day when you feel emotionally sensitive, frazzled, or on edge. A warm chamomile tea can be especially comforting when your anxiety feels tender or you're in need of nurturing support.

Learn more about Chamomile.

Chamomile is one of the most well-known herbs for promoting sleep & relaxation. Often enjoyed as a tea, Chamomile contains antioxidants that bind to certain receptors in your brain that may help you feel relaxed and reduce anxiety, making it easier to drift off to sleep. A warm cup of chamomile tea about 30 minutes before bed can be a soothing part of your nightly routine.

See more on Sleep.