Natural/herbal remedies for anxiety - do any of them actually work?

I'm afraid I never had any success with valerian or passiflora or hops or chamomile or any OTC remedies containing mixtures of these, not even when I swallowed down half the jar (in desperation) and washed them down with alcohol (in even greater desperation).  I tried rescue remedy too, but that didn't help at all, nor any other of the flower remedies.  

I have a long history of trying such things, plus also various psychological approaches, although the range on the NHS is very limited.  Plus I've been on a few courses too.  I always thought the answer would be just around the corner and I'd be able to bring my anxiety levels down. 

Meditation, tai chi and yoga have helped to a degree, and especially over the years as my nervous system has seemed to calm down as I've aged.  Not what you're asking about, I know, but those practices helped to restore hope for me.

Unfortunately, the only herb that has helped me is cannabis and then only when it has at least a little THC in it.  I believe the Sapphire Clinic are offering places for subsidised treatment at the moment, but I don't know how many or how affordable this might make it.  The THC oil works well for me and is expensive at £80 a bottle.  However one bottle lasts me 3 months so the cost/day is reasonable. 

To be honest, I wish I could go back and bin many of my other efforts as the costs for those mounted up over the years.  A bit of acceptance of my anxiety-prone self would have helped too, plus more understanding of the many drivers behind it.  

Sorry you are going through this.  I know it's a load to carry each day.  I know I recommended cannabis before and there are many barriers to accessing it, unfortunately.  If you have a local cannabis club they might be able to help.  For me edibles were the way to go and a low dose,  slow and steady approach has enabled me to relax without any negative side effects.  Please pm me if I might be of help on this subject.  Cannabis is one of those subjects where I expect to get deleted, even though I get it on legal prescription these days.  

I'm afraid I never had any success with valerian or passiflora or hops or chamomile or any OTC remedies containing mixtures of these, not even when I swallowed down half the jar (in desperation) and washed them down with alcohol (in even greater desperation).  I tried rescue remedy too, but that didn't help at all, nor any other of the flower remedies.  

I have a long history of trying such things, plus also various psychological approaches, although the range on the NHS is very limited.  Plus I've been on a few courses too.  I always thought the answer would be just around the corner and I'd be able to bring my anxiety levels down. 

Meditation, tai chi and yoga have helped to a degree, and especially over the years as my nervous system has seemed to calm down as I've aged.  Not what you're asking about, I know, but those practices helped to restore hope for me.

Unfortunately, the only herb that has helped me is cannabis and then only when it has at least a little THC in it.  I believe the Sapphire Clinic are offering places for subsidised treatment at the moment, but I don't know how many or how affordable this might make it.  The THC oil works well for me and is expensive at £80 a bottle.  However one bottle lasts me 3 months so the cost/day is reasonable. 

To be honest, I wish I could go back and bin many of my other efforts as the costs for those mounted up over the years.  A bit of acceptance of my anxiety-prone self would have helped too, plus more understanding of the many drivers behind it.  

Sorry you are going through this.  I know it's a load to carry each day.  I know I recommended cannabis before and there are many barriers to accessing it, unfortunately.  If you have a local cannabis club they might be able to help.  For me edibles were the way to go and a low dose,  slow and steady approach has enabled me to relax without any negative side effects.  Please pm me if I might be of help on this subject.  Cannabis is one of those subjects where I expect to get deleted, even though I get it on legal prescription these days.  

Hi Jenny - many thanks for this - it’s extremely helpful. Your experience sounds very similar to mine - and it made me laugh to read of you swigging down natural remedies and wine in desperation - I can relate! 
What’s not funny of course is how hard it is to live with long term, persistent anxiety - at its worst it feels genuinely life threatening because it can become unbearable. 

Like you I feel I’ve wasted a lot of money trying things that don’t work - which is frustrating (I ordered more yesterday……). 
I’ve contacted Sapphire Clinic this morning - I remember you mentioning them before - so thank you for sharing your experience. It’s completely legal and I find that very reassuring. 
I’m so glad it’s helped you. It really should be available on the nhs in my opinion - so many of the other drugs the nhs prescribes are much more dangerous than low doses of medicinal cannabis after all! 
 Thanks for your help Jenny - and I hope it keeps working for you. It’s so hard to enjoy life when your anxious - and we deserve to be able to enjoy life - just like anybody else.