Sarah Harris N.D.
Specialist Naturopath – Holistic Nutritionist – Herbalist – Homoeopath – Remedial Therapist
Fear and worry are normal emotions that keep us safe and help us in challenging situations.
However, when these emotions become overwhelming or chronic, they make it hard to cope with everyday life. Children with anxiety disorders experience episodes of pronounced mental or physical symptoms, often with a high level of constant background worrying.
There is evidence to suggest that when this heightened stress response occurs during childhood, the adrenal activation remains permanently dysfunctional, creating a lifelong predisposition to anxiety and other affective disorders. (1)
The development of anxiety is a result of a complex interplay of factors such as genetic predisposition, exposure to environmental stressors and protective factors including neurotransmitter balance, systemic and neuro inflammation, microbiome balance, hormones and oxidative stress.
As a result, anxiety presents in so many different ways that are commonly recognised in our children, adolescents and beyond. Anxiety feels different for everybody; it can be ‘mental’ such as a feeling nervous or worried or escalate into fear or panic. Or ‘physical’ such as feeling restless, tense, tired, or extend to sweating, trembling, shortness of breath and/or tummy pain. Moreover, it can result in poor concentrating, busy mind, incessant worrying, irritability, difficulty getting off to sleep and avoidance behaviour.
Therefore, naturopathic treatment for anxiety must be dynamic and multifaceted and often utilises multiple modalities, including just some of those listed below.
- Herbal medicine can be used to ‘down regulate’ activation of the nervous system with chamomile, kava and lavender, amongst many others.
- The healthy neurotransmitter balance of serotonin can be established with the likes of lemon balm, St John’s Wort and Saffron.
- Inflammation can be reduced with Turmeric and Ginger.
- To support a healthy gut microbiome, garlic and slippery elm are also helpful.
- Meta-analysis finds that oral Lavender oil supplementation over 6 weeks significantly reduces anxiety.(2)
- Lemon Balm supplementation also significantly reduces acute anxiety (3).
The treatment of anxiety symptoms should always be specific to the patient’s individual needs. Beyond the beauty of herbs, nutritional supplements, food as medicine, homeopathics, and flower essences also provide powerful strategies to prevent and treat anxiety.
As a Paediatric Naturopath, I support children and families in navigating the complexities of anxiety through a holistic and individualised approach. By addressing both the root causes and the symptoms of anxiety, we can help children find balance and support their emotional well-being.
It is incredibly important to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to treating anxiety, and a combination of herbal medicine, nutrition, and lifestyle adjustments can work synergistically to help children regain their sense of calm and control.
With the right guidance and support, children can develop the tools they need to manage their anxiety effectively and build resilience for the future.
If you’re concerned about your child’s anxiety, I would love to work with you to create a tailored plan that supports their physical and emotional health.
If you would like to make an appointment, please call our friendly reception team on (03) 5221 8220, or book online.
Yours thoughtfully and in good health.
Sarah.
- Faravelli C, Sauro CL, Godini L, Lelli L, Benni L, Pietrini F, Lazzeretti L, Talamba GA, Fioravanti G, Ricca V. Childhood stressful events, HPA axis and anxiety disorders. World journal of psychiatry. 2012 Feb 2;2(1):13.
- Donelli D, Antonelli M, Bellinazzi C, Gensini GF, Firenzuoli F. Effects of lavender on anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytomedicine. 2019 Dec 1;65:153099
- . Ghazizadeh J, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Marx W, Fakhari A, Hamedeyazdan S, Torbati M, Taheri-Tarighi S, Araj-khodaei M, Mirghafourvand M. The effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on depression and anxiety in clinical trials: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Phytotherapy Research. 2021 Dec;35(12):6690-705.
