A U. S. researcher has said that an herbal remedy for anxiety, St. John's wort, has not been proven.

Not only have St. John's wort and other herbs taken for anxiety, such as kava extract and valerian, not been shown to be effective, but there may be safety issues, says Dr. Kimberly Zoberi of Saint Louis University in Missouri.

Zoberi says in a statement, "Patients should be extremely cautious about garnering medical advice from the Internet. There is no evidence that those medications are effective. If a patient wishes to avoid drug therapy, her doctor can suggest alternatives such as cognitive behavioral therapy."

It was also recommended by Zoberi that those needing anxiety treatment consult with a healthcare professional.

The article also looks at prescription drug regimens for patients with anxiety and notes the first-line treatment prescribed by physicians are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are safe, effective and more affordable. However, some patients suffer sexual or gastrointestinal side effects.

Zoberi further says that some anti-convulsant drugs offer quick and effective anxiety relief without the side effects of other treatments, but on the downside, they are relatively expensive. (With Inputs from Agencies)