16 Herbs to Relieve Stress, Anxiety and Nurture Your Nervous System

This month I have been writing about adrenal fatigue and how physical and emotional stress is a significant contributor to this condition and autoimmune disorders. Moreover, it is essential to find ways to manage stress, since it is so prevalent and has also been linked to the six leading causes of death.

There techniques that can help us manage our stress and anxiety such as emotional freedom technique (EFT), the Sedona method, the work from Byron Katie, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), compassion focus therapy (CFT), Gestalt therapy, neurolinguistic programming (NLP), mindfulness meditation, and many more. Techniques like these are the foundation for us to have peace and harmony in our lives. 

However, we all have times in our lives when we need a little support from external sources to help us cope with a stressful or difficult event(s) in our lives. In such times, herbs are your best allies to help you manage stress, anxiety, depression and other emotions. The good news is that nature has provided great herbs for nerve support!

These herbs are known as nervines. Nervine herbs are nutritious and directly benefit the nervous system. Moreover, herbal nervine therapy increases our ability to cope with the stress of daily life. You may take nervines herbs as you need them. 

There are 3 types of nervine herbs

Nervine Tonics. They strengthen and feed the nervous system. In cases of nervous debility, they strengthen and restore nerve tissues directly. Note that the adaptogens herbs that I covered in my last post are also considered nerve tonics due to their ability to aid the whole of the body and mind to cope with stress. Other herbs include but not limited to:

• Oat Straw. Oat straw is high in calcium and other minerals, protein, and the spectrum of B vitamins, except vitamin B-12. It soothes and nourishes the central nervous system. Therefore, it treats anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness.
• Gotu kola. It is an incredibly healing herb for the nervous system and has been shown to repair and restore axons. It has also, been used as an anti-anxiety, anti-stress and anti-insomnia medicine throughout its long history of use.
• St. John’s wort. Most famous for its antidepressant and anti-inflammatory properties, this herb can also be used for nerve pain, anxiety, tiredness, loss of appetite and trouble sleeping, ADHD, OCD, seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Verbane (blue vervain).  Helps relieve stress and maintain a healthy nervous system. It has a reputation for working on the tension in the stomach area linked to the suppression of emotions, especially anger.

Nervine Relaxants. These are the closest natural alternative for conventional medicine’s nerve tranquilizers, they should be used moderately. Too much tranquilizing, even that achieved through herbal medication, can in time deplete and weight heavily on the whole nervous system. However, they are a healthier alternative to toxic medicine without any of the unwanted side effects. It is also, better to take these than to live with constant anxiety and stress. Some herbal in this category include:

• California poppy. This herb has been used as an anti-anxiety and sedative. It helps with insomnia, nerve pain, aches, ADHD, and improved cognitive function.
• Catnip. Relieves anxiety and stress, helps with restless sleep, reduces pain and is a sedative.
• Chamomile. It is anti-anxiety and works for depression, insomnia
• Hops. Hops promote sleep. It may protect against cell damage that causes Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
• Lavender. One of the most common herbs used, it’s a sedative, calming, and antidepressant. Additionally, it is used to relieve anxiety and stress, improve cognitive function, improve sleep, and alleviate headaches.
• Lemon Balm. Lemon balm improves sleep reduces anxiety and improves cognitive function, mood, concentration, and sleep.
• Linden. An anxiety aid, its soothing properties have been known to reduce mental stress and anxiety. Great for those who suffer from mood swings or unexplained chronic stress. It induces a state of relaxation for both, the body and the mind.
• Passion Flower. It has been used to reduce and eliminate insomnia, anxiety, ADHD.
• Skullcap. This herb has been used for anxiety, insomnia, eliminate headaches, and works as a sedative.
• Valerian. It eases insomnia, anxiety, and nervous restlessness.
• Wood Betony. This herb helps with nerve pain. It releases tension, stress, and anxiety. Wood betony has a slow and mild effect that accumulates over time.
• Kava Kava. Promotes relaxation from tension brought on by daily stress. It also supports muscular and nerve relaxation while encouraging a sense of emotional well-being. Aids sleep, increases awareness, boost the production of dopamine and GABA

Nervine Stimulants. They stimulate the nervous system, and they are not needed often. Especially in our times when there is already for much hyperactivity, stress, and anxiety. In most cases, it is more appropriate to stimulate the body with the help of adaptogens, nervine or even digestive tonics, which work by promoting harmony within the body and thus have a much extensive and longer-lasting effect. A problem with commonly used stimulants (such as coffee) is that they have many side effects and can cause many health issues including anxiety and tension. Some herbal examples include:

• Cola vera (Kola).
• Coffea arabica (Coffee)
• Camellia sinensis (Green/Black Tea)

Most us will benefit from daily use of nervines due to demanding, fast-paced life and obligations. With regular use, the nervous system often adapts to require less amount of these herbs to calm itself. This could take anywhere from a few months to a few years of use.

​However, the goal should be for the herbs to help us become more resilient in times of stress, not to become reliant on them for the rest of our life. Acute stress will always occur, but becoming more resilient is what’s important.

Until next week,
​Toni