Herbs which are calming, deeply relaxing and nourishing to the nervous system.
Herbs are so wonderful! They are rich in nutrients which supports the body and mind and they are a gentle way to take care of your entire being! If you are one of those people who have a full busy life, your nervous system can become over-stimulated and if not nourished over time depleted.
A common side effect of too much stress is feeling over-whelmed which can cause free floating anxiety; anxiety that comes and goes and this happens when there are too many demands in life such as:
- High school with after-school activities (music, sports, etc.)
- College or University and working
- Trades school and working
- Raising a family while working full time
- High expectations from family members, oneself, friends
- Being overworked and/or overwhelmed with life’s responsibilities.
Another common reason for anxiety is:
- Depletion of nutrients from too much stress over time. This can be from poor food choices and too many stimulant which are both depleting to the nervous system and adrenal glands, thus robbing the body’s nutrient reserves.
- For those who are in their head thinking constantly and worrying can become anxious and develop insomnia.
OR some suffer from dysregulation, which causes constant anxiety; mild to extreme. This can be caused by:
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Trauma; childhood abuse, head injury, rape
- Extreme stress
OR Anxiety can be due to:
- ADD/ADHD
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Parkinson’s or any other dis-ease
If you suffer from long-term stress, it can cause dysregulation such as anxiety, depression, migraines and feeling scattered; which is exhausting! There are modalities which help regulated the brain and repair the nervous system such as EEG-Neurofeedback. EEG-Neurofeedback is brain training and is very effective in regulating the brain and the nervous system giving you back your strong wonderful self. Brain training can:
- Heal your gut
- Repair the nervous system
- Stop anxiety
- Give you sound sleep
- Relax tight tense muscles
- Bring you back to your true self
Herbs which support the nervous system are known to help:
- Strengthen & repair the nervous system
- Relax a tense body & tight muscles
- The body relax for good sound sleep
- Calm us
Herbs that support the nervous system helps those who are feeling:
| Overwhelmed | Scattered |
| Fearful | Agitated |
| Anxious | Tense |
Herbs which Help with Stress
For those who struggle with a lot of anxiety or insomnia take a look into Kava Kava root piper methysticum, Valerian root valeriana officinalis and Passion Flower passiflora incarnata. These herbs can easily be added to the herbs listed below. Here is a list of some herbs which are calming, relaxing and aid in replenishing nutrient reserves; building your strength and endurance.
| Chamomile | Skullcap |
| Holy basil | Oatstraw |
| Ginger (carrier herb) | Wild Lettuce |
| Lemon Balm | Wood Betony |
The herbs listed in the herbal dictionary can easily be blended into a formula. The carrier/assisting herb is at the bottom with an asterick.
Herbal Dictionary
| Holy Basil ocimum sanctum Part Used: leaf Taste: pungent Energetic: warm Effective form/Preparation: infusion, tincture, capsules, oil, tea, compress Properties: nervine, anti-inflammatory, is known to stop cells from mutating Medicinal Use: helps with sleep, soothing to the nervous system, relaxes tight muscles, regulates blood sugar, calms the spirit (anxiety), makes one feel grounded and relaxed |
| Skullcap scutellaria latiflora Part Used: leaf Taste: bitter Energetic: cool Effective form/Preparation: infusion, tincture, capsules, tea, compress, Properties: nervine, anti-spasmodic, anti-anxiety (sedative), high in calcium, potassium and magnesium. Medicinal Use: Strengthens and soothes the nervous system, helps with restlessness, irritability, insomnia. Helps stop the mind chatter known as “monkey mind”. Especially good for acute and chronic nervous system disorder from stress. |
| Chamomile flower maticara recutita Part Used: flowers Taste: bitter Energetic: neutral Effective form/Preparation: infusion, tincture, capsules, tea, compress Properties: nervine, tonic, sedative, antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-fungal, high in calcium and magnesium. Contains potassium, iron, manganese, zine and some beta carotene. Medicinal Use: Helps with sleep. Soothes a nervous stomach caused by stress. Relieves indigestion, gas and flatulence. Aromatherapy: German Chamomile matricaria chamomilla – antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, supports the liver, sedative. Roman Chamomile anthemis nobillis – analgesic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, digestive, support the liver, supports the immune system, sedative. |
| Lemon Balm melissa officinalis Part Used: leaf Taste sour/spicy Energetic: cool Effective form/Preparation: infusion, tincture, salve, tea, compress Properties: carminative, diaphoretic, calmative, antipyretic, antispasmodic nervine Medicinal Use: Soothes the nervous system. Acts like a tranquilizer Helps with melancholy, feeling homesick, depression, nervous or hysterical. As a salve for cold sore (herpes simplex). Aromatherapy: antidepressant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, emmenagogue, sedative |
| Oatstraw avena sativa Part Used: whole plant Taste: sweet/neutral Energetic: warm Effective form/Preparation: tea, extract, poultice, capsules Properties: Anti-depressant, tonic in prevention of depression and debility Medicinal Use: good source of calcium for nourished the nervous system and over coming debility, helps with withdrawals from nicotine, opiates and cocaine. Helps with skin conditions applied as a poultice. |
| Wild Lettuce lactus virosa Part Used: leaf, seed, oil Taste bitter Energetic: cool Effective form/Preparation: infusion, tincture, tea Properties: anti-spasmodic, nervine, sedative Medicinal Use: Insomnia. Anxiety. Muscle spasms. Menstrual pain. Hyperactivity in children. Spasmodic coughs and colic. Relieves body pain and strain. The seed oil is used for asthma, dropsy, gout and jaundice. |
| Wood Betony betonica officinalis Part Used: whole herb tops Taste bitter Energetic: cool Effective form/Preparation: infusion, tincture, tea, poultice, powder Properties: analgesic, especially for face, head and nerve pain, sedative Medicinal Use: Used in part of a formula for neuralgia, migraine and nervous tension pain. Helps the body relax from stress and tension. Helps expel worms. Supports gallbladder health. |
| *Ginger zingiber officinale Part Used: root Taste pungent/spicy Energetic: warm Effective form/Preparation: decoction tincture, tea, compress, Properties: stimulant, diaphoretic, carminative, emmenagogue, expectorant, antiemetic, analgesic, antispasmodic Medicinal Use: Used as a carrier to assist other herbs for assimilation. Helps increase circulation. Helps with digestive issues; upset stomach, nausea, motion sickness, gas. Helps with lung issues, excess phlegm, cramps, pain, spasms, sore throat, diarrhea and general coldness. |
Excellent reference books on learning how to make your own herbal blends are by
- Linda Page, N.D. Ph.D How to Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist
- Leslie Tierra, L.Ac., Herbalist The Herbs of Life
- Michaela Tierra, C.A., N.D., L.Ac., O.M.D. The Way of Herbs
- Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., Ph.D. Natural Therapy for Your Liver
- Christopher Hobbs, L.Ac., Ph.D. Medicinal Mushrooms and Exploration of Tradition, Healing and Culture