Today’s world is one that is constantly demanding our attention, leaving many of us living in a state of overwhelm, or ‘functional frazzle’. You know the feeling; the low-level hum of anxiety, a mind that won’t switch off – it leaves you feeling frayed and worn thin.
When people mention these kind of symptoms, I tend to suspect that burnout is not far away.
Fortunately, nature has provided us with a means to bolster the nervous system, gently nurturing and nourishing to restore it. There is a specific class of botanicals used just for this purpose: Nervines.
Nervine herbs do not act as quick fix sedatives; they gently regenerate and strengthen the nervous system. Today, we’re going to explore how nervine tonics help you move from a state of nervous tension, to a calmer, relaxed state of ease. This is the first installment of ‘The Herbalist Essentials’, a series that I’ll be writing on some of the amazing herbs you can use to support your health and wellbeing, naturally.
The Herbalist Essentials – Nervine Tonics
Valerian
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), is one of my all time favourite herbs and an absolute staple in my medicine cabinet. This is the must-have herb for a frayed and frazzled nervous system, one that just needs a break. It’s especially good if you are being kept awake by a racing mind that won’t settle. Promoting a restful sleep is what Valerian is most commonly known for, but that’s not its only use. It truly restores and nourishes the nervous system. It also has antispasmodic properties, and contrary to popular opinion, can be taken during the day, not just at night.
Skullcap
Skullcap is another super restorative nervine tonic. It can help to reduce anxiety, relieve muscle tension (and headaches), and supports nervous system and brain health. Skullcap displays a different herbal profile to Valerian; it has an affinity for supporting cognitive function. There are 2 main types of Skullcap used for medicinal purposes – Scutellaria lateriflora (North American Skullcap) and Scutellaria baicalensis (Chinese Skullcap), Chinese Skullcap displays neuroprotective properties, and may be of assistance in enhancing memory, cognition and treating brain fog (1).
St John’s Wort
Of all the nervine tonics, St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is probably the most well-known. There has been tons (literally) of research studies dedicated to this remarkable herb, and it is well-deserved. Not only is it a nervine tonic, but it displays anti-depressant and anti-viral properties too (2), making it a handy herb to have on hand for a variety of reasons. The caveat is, St John’s Wort is known to interact with lots of medications, so please check with your health professional before using it.
So, there you have it; the basics of nervine tonics. Please don’t think that this is by any means an exhaustive list – there are many, many other herbs that also support the nervous system their own variety of ways. These 3 however, are broadly the most effective, and readily accessible.
And while they can be powerful allies, they work best as part of a holistic approach to wellbeing — one that honours the root cause, not just the symptoms. In the next instalment of The Herbalist Essentials, we’ll explore which herbs can support your adrenal glands and natural responses to stress.
(1) Sowndhararajan, K., Deepa, P., Kim, M., Park, S. J., & Kim, S. (2018). Neuroprotective and Cognitive Enhancement Potentials of Baicalin: A Review. Brain sciences, 8(6), 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci8060104
From <https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6025220/>
(2) Klemow KM, Bartlow A, Crawford J, et al. Medical Attributes of St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 11. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92750/