Holy Basil is a natural herb that is native to India that Indians not only use for its healing properties, but use for cooking. It's literally a strain of basil. If you taste the liquid form of Holy Basil or you bite a gel cap, it tastes like you ate way too much pesto sauce. Haha.
It doesn't have any known side effects, and you can even get it in tea form. Most recently, I saw it in 2 different flavors in the natural section of my "Giant" grocery store, under the name Tulsi (the Indian word for Holy Basil).
I've tried this stuff, and it works GREAT for me, to mellow me out. It really helps my younger brother with his social anxiety, too.
www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA346157/holy-basil-to-combat-stress.htmlI just wanted to throw that out there in case anyone wants to try an alternative to a pharmaceutical sedative, every once in awhile. It really does help me.