First, over the counter really refers to pharmaceutical products that don't require a prescription. Supplements range from taking food in pill or powder form to taking things that are produced in a lab.
As for the question, it's not that simple. Lots of people will tell you to take this supplement or that supplement for anxiety or insomnia, but natural medicine is usually done best by combining several supplements combined with lifestyle changes, such as therapy, meditation, exercise, dietary changes, etc. Some do get some effects by taking one supplement, but most won't.
If you don't know anything about natural medicine, it's best to either buy an array of books written on the subject and study it until you learn it, or go see a professional, such as an herbalist or naturopath.
Know that different cultures around the world have developed very different methods and substances they have used through history -- Chinese medicine tackles the problem differently from Indian medicine which is very different from European medicine, so there's a lot of different ways and different supplements to try out there.
A lot depends on how disciplined you are and how severe the problem is, because natural medicine often takes some time to work and to find what works. And there's no guarantee it will work anymore there's a guarantee that drugs will work. It takes trial and error just as taking antidepressants takes trial and error.
A good book to get started with is Natural Highs by Hyla Cass, who last time I checked taught psychiatry at UCLA. It's a decent if old overview of what's out there, though its focus is on the European tradition.
Some common herbs that are used are passionflower, kava, and valerian to name just 3 for relaxation and sleep, 5-HTP for something more like an antidepressant drug -- this is what the body uses to make serotonin, along with B6 and Vitamin C and other co-factors -- and adaptogens such as holy basil and ashwagandha to balance the adrenal gland. You see how different systems are targeted, not just one -- relaxants usually work on GABA just as benzos do, 5-HTP works on serotonin though in a very different way than ssris and snris, and things for the adrenals to tackle the cortisol problem.
Hope this gets you started on your search, but remember, the world is full of plants and minerals and amino acids and so you almost never run out of new things to try if it doesn't work at first. Good luck. Oh, and also remember, don't expect natural medicine to be as strong as pharmaceutical medicine -- it's not, which makes it much safer but that doesn't mean safe, and usually much slower, though individuals vary a lot. And if you're currently taking medication, be careful about combining natural medicine with drugs, as they usually are working on the same neurotransmitters. Peace.
Hello. I like this question. So, insomnia ruins everything, doesn't it? I have this often myself and it makes everything worse. The anxiety, the moods, the ability to cope, etc. I just had a doctors appointment recently and my doctor told me that we need to be protective of our sleep. She said something like Zquil is useful and that is over the counter. Not a supplement but something to try. My sister uses Tylenol pm. The PM part has something that helps you fall and stay to sleep as well. Many use melatonin as well for the purpose of sleep improvement.
Here's an article on supplements for anxiety. https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/supplements-for-anxiety. the 5 HPT has been linked to improvement in anxiety specifically. And there has been hype over the years about St. John's Wort. Honestly, I would treat things like that just like a drug. It has benefits potentially but risks as well. All supplements are like that. They aren't side effect free just because they are natural. You can ask your doctor as well for suggestions.
Jury is still out regarding CBD oil. I'm interested in learning what transpires clinically with this but to date, there aren't a lot of solid studies and just anecdotal info. And truthfully, so many new shops and sellers that it is pretty hard to tell what isn't salesmanship and profiteering verses true data about something that might be helpful.
I totally agree with Paxiled. Lifestyle things can make a huge impact. Good sleep hygiene for example. Keeping a journal throughout the day looking for triggers and trying strategies to overcome them can help. Exercise is like medicine for many. It keeps my son less stressed out and anxious, for sure. Meditation. Breathing exercises. Yoga. Eating well. All should help. And therapy. Talking to someone can be so very important.
I hope you come back and talk to us. What prompted the question? Are you going through a rough time?
Supplements I've found to help me with my anxiety, depression and insomnia are, Fish oil, magnesium and as I'm anemic iron. Also, a good multivitamin could be useful over all. These don't completely eliminate symptoms, but it does lessen them to the point where I can use coping stratagies to deal with them.