There's a war going on between natural medicine and pharmaceutical medicine, especially with regard to anxiety and mental health. Those that argue for traditional medicine often point to the empirical studies proving their efficacy. Those that promote natural and alternative medicine often point to the serious side effects caused and created by the pharmaceutical counterparts, and argue that there are effective natural options available that make pharmaceutical medicine a needlessly harmful option.

It's an interesting debate that has passionate supporters on both sides. But the reality is that there isn't a "right answer." Both sides are right, and both sides are wrong. It all depends on what the medicine is being used for.

Remembering the Power of Non-Substance Treatments
Before even beginning the debate, it's important to remember that you do not necessarily need to take a supplement simply to combat your anxiety. There are several powerful calming techniques, like yoga and Pranayama. As safe as most herbal remedies are, there is no nutritional supplement that compares in safety to treatments that do not require any ingestion. Before taking any medicine or supplement, consider these healthy, substance free alternatives.

When to Take Natural Remedies
There is no denying that pharmaceutical drugs have a lot of side effects – side effects that can disrupt your life almost as much as anxiety. They also have serious problems with dependency that force you to continue to take these medications for potentially the rest of your life. Those reasons do (and should) lead others to want to pursue natural options for their anxiety before ever considering those man-made chemicals.

Saagara’s Pranayama breathing demo course is now available on Facebook. Learn how to relax your mind and relieve anxiety while experiencing a relaxed meditative state. Pranayama’s simple and intuitive guide to deep breathing allows you to progress at your own pace and achieve the lasting benefits of deep breathing practice. Practicing deep breathing for just 15 minutes a day can not only relieve stress but also help with migraines, high blood pressure, depression, COPD, and asthma. The Facebook version of Saagara contains only the beginner sequences, check out Saagara for more information on getting the full version of Pranayama.

Andrew

Try a free stress relieving breathing demo now

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This salad is colorful, refreshing, and delicious. It’s quick to put together and is light yet very satiating.

Dressing:

• clove garlic
• pinch salt plus 2 teaspoons
• juice of 1.5 limes (about 3 Tablespoons
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• cumin
• 1/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 cup olive oil

This dish is my favorite way to enjoy broccoli; it’s sweet and the toasted pine nuts really complement the flavor of the broccoli. It’s very simple to make and can be enjoyed in under 15 minutes. I got this recipe from eatingwell.com and have been making it consistently since. Enjoy!
 

4 servings, 3/4 cup each

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons pine nuts, or chopped slivered almonds
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion, (about 1 medium onion)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation:

1. Begin by steaming the broccoli until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
2. Toast pine nuts (or almonds) in a medium dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl to cool.
3. Add oil to a cast iron skillet and heat over medium heat. Add onion and salt; cook, stirring occasionally, adjusting heat as necessary, until soft and golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Transfer broccoli, onion, pine nuts, and pepper to large bowl, add vinegar and toss until ingredients are coated evenly.

Per serving : 102 Calories

Risotto is a creamy and delicious comfort food. Yet it’s a comfort food that is also healthy: this recipe has lots of Vitamin A, copper, manganese, and B vitamins. Creamy and bold, the cayenne really pumps up the flavor. I found this recipe on Healthy Happy Life. The author Kathy calls cooking a risotto “meditation cooking”, as you stand over the saucepan and stir the rice until all the liquid is absorbed. This recipe is 100% vegan.

Image by Kathy at Healthy Happy Life

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup Arborio rice
• 5 scallion stalks
• 2 small sweet potatoes
• 1 bunch fresh sage, 6+ leaves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 2.5 cups water
• 2 cups soy milk, unsweetened
• 1 red onion, small
• 2 tsp. garlic salt
• 2-3 dashes of cayenne

Preparation:

1. Wash scallions. Chop onion and scallions. Set aside.
2. Bake or steam sweet potatoes (20 minutes in oven or 2 minutes in microwave.) Should be slightly firm – not too mushy. Peel skin and dice potatoes into large 1″ cubes. Divide into two portions. Set aside.
3. Roughly chop sage leaves into dime-sized bits. Keep 2-3 leaves whole, for garnish.

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil and 3 Tbsp. water in saucepan over medium heat. Add a dash of garlic salt, red onion, most of the scallions, a few bits of chopped sage and half of the portion of sweet potato cubes. Saute for 3-5 minutes, until liquid is absorbed.
2. Add rice, remaining salt, cayenne, bay leaf and a bit more sage. Cook one minute, or until rice is slightly translucent, stirring constantly. Turn up heat to medium high.
3. Add 1/2 cup soy milk and cook until absorbed, stirring constantly.
4. Add 1/2 cup water. Stir until absorbed. Repeat this process (alternate water and soy milk). Do not add next portion of liquid until all the previous liquid is absorbed.
   IMPORTANT: YOU MUST STIR AND FOLD THE RICE MIXTURE CONSTANTLY.
   Estimated time of stirring while adding liquid: 25-35 minutes.
   Tip: Remove bay leaf half way through this process. You don’t want the bay leaf to overpower the sage.
5. When all the liquid has been added and absorbed your consistency should be that of a very thick oatmeal. If is seems too mushy, stir it quickly over the heat until it firms up. Be sure to taste test the rice firmness. If the inner grain is still hard-go for another round of liquid.
6. Once the texture and consistency is perfect, turn the heat to low and add remaining sweet potatoes, sage leaves and scallions. Fold over a few times. Turn heat off and cover with foil. Let sit for two minutes.
7. Serve in a warm shallow soup bowl or a small appetizer plate. Garnish with fresh sage and ground pepper. Drizzle a bit of olive oil for a richer dish.

Enjoy!