Post Traumatic Stress Disorder May Be Treated With Herbs

Post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, is a psychiatric condition that often arises after an individual witnesses or is involved in a life-threatening event such as a disaster, rape or violent assault. Children and adults experiencing PTSD can relive the terrifying experience through nightmares, flashbacks and behavioral disorders including insomnia, crying and depression.

They may feel estranged or detached from familiar surroundings, family members, friends and pets. In many cases PTSD can be so severe as to interfere profoundly with the sufferer’s daily life.

PTSD is not new, it is known by other names including battle fatigue, shell shock, survivor’s guilt, and traumatic neurosis.  The disorder is defined by a set of symptoms such as hypervigilance, becoming easily startled, anxiety, irritability, cognitive dysfunction, anger, mood changes, fearfulness, numbness, inability to experience joy or pleasure, loss of memory and avoiding areas associated with the trauma.

Natural remedies can help ease symptoms and support sufferers through the healing process to recovery.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies have been shown to have a profound effect on children and adults suffering from PTSD, according to Dr. Edward Shalts, former vice president of the National Center of Homeopathy.

The psychiatric diagnosis of PTSD requires that one or more of the above symptoms be present for more than one month after the traumatic event. For initial trauma treatment of shock, ailments from fright and grief, see a Natural News article here: http://www.naturalnews.com

Homeopathic remedies for PTSD

Stramonium is effective for nightmares and night terrors, especially when the child is afraid to be left alone in the dark. Helpful for anxiety disorders after experiencing violence, anguish, fear and sleeplessness.

Mancinella helps children especially — and battered women — or anyone who feels they are under the control of another person or some outside entity.

Gelsemium quells anticipatory fears that something bad will happen in the future. The child often feels weak, with heavy eyelids, occipital headache and may have diarrhea.

Staphysagria helps children and adults deal with nightmares after violence. People needing staphysagria feel powerless and unable to defend themselves. They are often perceived as being very sweet, but, they are unable to deal with grief or anger, suppressing it until they erupt in outbursts of rage.

Chamomilla brings a sense of calmness to children who have experienced severe trauma and then become hypervigilant and hypersensitive. They may complain of stomachaches and be overly sensitive to noise and music. Being gently rocked often brings relief.

Herbal remedies for PTSD

Certain herbs are known for their ability to relieve stress, anxiety and other feelings, which may be covered under the scope of PTSD symptoms.

Hops eases stress, nervousness and restlessness. It’s useful for the treatment of anxiety disorders, insomnia and pain. Hops are antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and have sedative properties, making it an excellent herb for muscle spasms.

Read more here