The Powwow Guy

The Powwow tradition has little to offer in the way of relieving symptoms of anxiety disorders. However, that does not mean we are without resources! Home remedies, such as herbal infusions and the like, are extremely well-known amongst the Pennsylvania Dutch, and far more accessible to everyday folk nowadays than they were, say, 20 years or so ago.

The following herbal remedies can be prescribed for yourself to help tame those days when your anxiety is overwhelming. As someone who suffers from an anxiety disorder, I can say in all sincerity that these remedies really do help!

Celery

Believe it or not, but just eating celery can help calm feelings of anxiety and even help you fall asleep! Celery contains folic acid and potassium, which can help fight insomnia and restlesness. Celery is also thought to be a "negative calorie" food, which means you literally burn more calories eating it than it provides to you, which is likely why it can make you feel sleepy.. Munch on some celery sticks, add some protein like peanut butter, and it could help you overcome some of that anxiety.

Passion Flower

This is the BEST, in my opinion, for using as a sedative. The Amish use it as such and I've used it many times with great success. Making an infusion of passion flower is a great before-bedtime drink that will help you feel calm and even fall asleep faster.

Valerian

Valerian is a little tricky. If you get the dose too high, you could wake up with a hangover!! But too low of a dose won't do much for you. This one requires some experimentation on your part. Once you find the dose that works best for you, you will be very happy with it's anxiety-reducing affects! 

Asafoetida

Yes, Powwowers use Asafoetida as a means of removing a curse. But did you know that it also acts as a sedative? Despite it's foul smell, the taste of asafoetida is like a very mild onion. If you make an infusion of asafoetida, my advice is also to add a stalk of celery to the mug. This gives the brew a veggie-broth flavor, which makes it more palatable, and it will help you feel calm and sleepy rather quickly!

Always use caution when trying home remedies like this, especially when they have sedative properties. Check with your doctor first to make sure it's safe for your specific body!