In this article I would like to differentiate between nervines- herbs that have a beneficial effect on the central nervous system- and adaptogens- herbs that help a person adapt to stress. Adaptogens are taken long-term and generally, don’t have an immediate effect. I am going to discuss nervines in this article. They are herbs that we can use either every day or as needed. They can have a fairly immediate effect. You can find nervines in many popular herbal tea mixes or supplement products on the shelves of pharmacies and health food stores or online. 

We all need to be able to access deep rest. Our nervous system- our bodily system of nerves- needs time to regenerate after periods of activity and restlessness (i.e. being busy). Chronic stress is something most of us are familiar with. Have you heard of the Ayurvedic dosha called Vata? Our modern society has a chronic “Vata imbalance”…as in, too much nervous activity, air and wind, mental energy, and overstimulation due to screentime and social media. This overstimulation is ungrounding and makes us more vulnerable to feeling chronically stressed and unable to access deeper levels of rest. 

Nervines have a place in our day-to-day lives- as herbal allies to help us relax, unwind, to nourish our nerves and regain balance. An overemphasis on mental stimulation must be balanced with calm, rest, and physical grounding. Some nervines work well in teas and infusions (a stronger tea, steeper for longer), as single herbs or as blends. Do not underestimate the value of herbs in hot water and the calming effect this can have. 

I have been working on my own stress levels in the last months and have found great solace and benefit with the nervine herbs. I started with a stronger nervine, kava, and now use milder ones such as an evening cup of chamomile tea. 

Nervous system tonics

Some herbs are especially suited to providing nutrition and nourishment to the tissues of the nervous system. These tend to be best taken over weeks or months. 

Oats

Oats are nutritive as they contain specific minerals required by the nervous system. They are specific for nervous system exhaustion and depletion, particularly when depression is involved. Oat porridge has a beneficial effect, but in herbal medicine we use the oat seed in its milky stage. 

St John’s Wort

St John’s Wort, while mostly known nowadays for its uplifting antidepressant action, has long been known as a nerve regenerator. It helps restore nerve function when there is nerve damage or inflammation. When there is pain in the nerves somewhere, St John’s Wort is the herb, especially when that pain is associated with depression. It is also a particularly good herb for the transition of menopause and its many physical and emotional nervous system issues. 

Skullcap

Skullcap is the nervine we use to revive and renew the central nervous system, especially when there is chronic anxiety. It can help balance a tendency to overactive mental energy, and so has a history of use in all sorts of disorders where there are seizures or delerium. It seems to balance the whole nervous system, drawing excess energy out of the head. This can be useful in stress headaches too. 

Relaxing Nervines

These herbs tend to relieve constriction and contraction in the tissues. They can be helpful when there is anxiety, tension, restlessness and insomnia. When there is tension that causes tight muscles or digestive issues, these herbs can also be helpful.

Chamomile 

Chamomile relieves mild daily mental stress, and is great when you have an emotional upset. Sit down with a cup of chamomile tea, and take some deep, calming breaths. Make it stronger by steeping a little longer, or using more herb. Safe for children and the elderly, delicious with honey. Chamomile is also specific for digestive symptoms that are associated with stress. 

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is a delightfully scented herb that is best used fresh from the garden. It is easily grown and plants are often available at Bunnings or other nurseries. It is good for nervous exhaustion, a sense of gloom, of restlessness. Especially for those people who use their mind a lot. Make an infusion of a small handful of fresh herb in 2 cups of hot water. Let steep for 5-10 minutes- but cover while steeping to keep in the essential oils. 

Californian Poppy

California Poppy is a gentle sedative, and it helps relaxation for those who need to rest, especially for children or when chronic pain or anxiety prevents rest. Take in the evening and again before bed. The fresh plant tincture is best. 

Passionflower

Passionflower is another gentle sedative that also is commonly used in sleep blends. It helps when there are cardiovascular symptoms, such as a racing heart, connected to stress and tension.  Yes, it is the flower of the passionfruit vine.

Catmint

Catmint is most often thought of for children but it can be helpful for adults too. It helps to relax the intestines, so is particularly beneficial when inner tension causes colic/wind in babies and small children, or digestive issues in older children and adults. It is easily grown and lovely to use fresh as a tea, but fresh plant tinctures are also good. So think of tension that is affecting digestion- perhaps alongside chamomile. 

Lavender

Lavender has much evidence behind it nowadays for helping with tension, even musculoskeletal tension and tension headaches. You will find the essential oil in various over-the-counter products for stress nowadays and for insomnia. However, drinking a tea with fresh lavender flowers, or using the essential oil on the pillow or temples, are also effective. Here in Perth, lavender is easily grown and a popular plant. 

As you can see, these herbs are all accessible and many can be used as teas, either picked fresh from the garden or in popular tea blends available in supermarkets. Some are more often used in sleep supplements. 

Stronger nervines

Valerian

Valerian is well known for its sedative, sleep inducing effect, although for a small minority of people it appears to have the opposite effect at first. It does not taste particularly pleasant as a tea and so is more commonly used in tablet, capsule or liquid herb supplement form. Valerian is also known for its muscle relaxant properties and can be used when muscle spasms and pain prevent relaxation. It has a fairly strong sedative effect and is not suited to everyone. For some, it causes a slight hangover feeling the next day, although less than pharmaceutical sleep medications. 

Hops

Hops is similar in many ways to valerian, but according to herbalist Matthew Wood, is particularly suited to intense, red faced, overexcited personalities to help them calm down and rest. Hops pillows have been popular in the past, to help with sleep. It is commonly used alongside valerian in sleep remedies, but again can be quite strong for some people. 

Kava Kava

Kava, a herb used recreationally by Pacific Islanders, is my favourite stronger nervine, and I have used it extensively in the last few years to take the edge off intense grief, especially when it is affecting sleep. It can act almost as a tranquiliser, without the addictive side effect. When a strong anti-anxiety effect is needed, I go for kava, and it tends to uplift rather than depress. It is also useful when there is nerve pain, such as toothache, to help the body relax and stop tensing against the pain. I often use and prescribe a professional-only product called AnxioCalm for this, but there are many other products available. For myself, I only use it in small doses occasionally nowadays and often find it too strong, and I prefer the more gentle nervines now. 

Weaving some nervine herbs into our daily lives can benefit us in these times. I encourage you to play and explore them and find which ones you resonate with. If you feel drawn to one or more, trust that and give it a go for a while. While St Johns Wort does have a contraindication if you are taking antidepressants, the others are all pretty safe in herbal tea or supplements. Our nervous systems are not really built to handle the level of stimulation most of us are getting nowadays, and nervines can be wonderful allies, just as they have been to many generations before us.