Prince had quite a range of performance styles, from outrageously flamboyant to tenderly touching. His out-sized talent may have hidden a deep tendency towards shyness and anxiety.

According to various reports, stage fright and social anxiety may have been a factor in his opioid use. The pharmaceutical narcotics that eased his painful joints may have also have eased an anxious mind.

While anti-anxiety meds and antidepressants are not said to figure into his demise, there is a lesson here if he sought Percocet to ease psychological as well as physical pain.

There are truly natural, safe and effective alternatives to anxiety, depression and stress.

Take the herb ashwagandha, for example.

While it does not have the rapid action of an anti-anxiety drug such as Xanax, it also does not have dangerous side effects and risk of addiction. In fact it has a long list of benefits.

I can personally attest to its effects for calming stage fright.

Even though my performance did not even come close to a Prince production, I was walking out on the stage where Sting had performed a month earlier, at the Ice Palace Stadium in St. Petersburg Russia.

Facing over 4,000 people, to deliver a talk through an interpreter.

Yet my nerves were perfectly calm. The ashwagandha was doing its job. It was a wonderful experience.

I am a huge fan of KSM-66 Ashwagandha, the special extract we use in Golden Goddess Elixirs. Backed by eleven human clinical studies, it is shown to has significant effect on relieving stress, anxiety and depression. Plus it has additional benefits for memory, focus, energy, mood, sleep quality, building muscle, and enhancing sexual function in both women and men.

I can also personally attest to the power of meditation and exercise. Particularly high intensity bursting exercise.

Other nutrients and supplements which are clinically proven to help anxiety, depression,  and/or stress are: curcumin, rhodiola, l-theanine (an extract from green tea), magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin D, GABA, SAMe, omega-3 fatty acids, and probiotics.

And  in honor of Prince, here are 3 beautiful purple flowers that are gifts of nature that are backed by traditional use and scientific study for alleviating anxiety, depression and stress. You can follow the links to learn more:

Holy Basil

Passion Flower

Lavender

"Dearly beloved, we're gathered here today to get through this thing called life."

• Prince Rogers Nelson