Herbs to Calm Your Nervous System
Herbs to Calm Your Nervous System
Over the centuries, certain herbs have been used to support the body’s nervous system, promote relaxation and boost sleep quality. Join Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Courtney Rae Jones, as she explains which herbs are best for calming your nervous system.
Some herbs such as ashwagandha can help the body manage stress. Other herbs, such as valerian root, can alter signals in the brain and promote relaxation. The following herbs are my top choices for gently calming the nervous system:
🌿 Ashwagandha - Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb. Adaptogens are a group of herbs (and some roots) that can help the body naturally react to and recover from the physical effects of both short-term and long-term stress. In fact, they help us “adapt” to stressful situations by moderating the body’s stress response. Adaptogens such as ashwagandha have the ability to buffer the fluctuations of stress hormones leading to more balanced hormone levels - ie. smaller peaks and valleys. Ashwagandha is commonly taken in capsule form.
🌿 Lavender - Lavender is flowering herb that can reduce anxiety without sedation by affecting the body’s fight-or-flight response. It helps to regulate certain body processes such as heart rate, breathing rhythm and hormone secretion. It is also known to increase sleep quality and reduce restlessness. It can be taken in capsule form, but is better used in teas, tinctures or as an essential oil. Lavender aromatherapy is especially helpful in reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality. We like diluting lavender essential oil, such as Into The Woods lavender blend, with water then spraying it over our bedding to improve sleep. Check out the Into The Woods essential oils at our Corydon location.
🌿 Passionflower - Passionflower is well known for its calming effects and can ease restlessness tied to insomnia. Like Valerian root, passionflower boosts GABA levels in the brain and promotes relaxation - with fewer side effects than prescribed sedatives. Passionflower may cause drowsiness in some people, so it’s best to exercise caution with any activities that require mental alertness such as driving. It can be taken in capsule form or in a tincture. It’s also wonderful in teas.
🌿 Valerian Root - Valeria root extract contains valerenic acid and valerenol that may modulate GABA receptors in the brain and promote relaxation. GABA is a chemical messenger that helps to regulate nerve impulses in your brain. Valerian root has been traditionally used to promote sleep and is often taken with passionflower. It is best taken in a tincture or in a tea. As with passionflower, Valerian root may cause drowsiness in some people, so exercise cautious until you know how your body handles the herb.
🌿 Chamomile - Chamomile is an herb that comes from the Asteraceae plant family (think daisies). It can help ease restlessness and may benefit the quality of your sleep. It contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to certain receptors in the brain that can promote sleep. Studies show that a cup of chamomile tea before bed can help a person fall asleep 15 minutes faster and wake less throughout the night.
Wolseley Wellness Centre is proud to sell many of these calming herbs at our Corydon location. We have tinctures, capsules and essential oils in stock. Come pop into our clinic and check out our retail section today!
CAUTION: Be sure to speak with your doctor or other medical professional if you are thinking of using herbs to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation and/or induce sleep. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, small children, of people on prescription medication are at higher risk for safety concerns or undesirable side effects, and should seek guidance from a health care professional. Caution should also be taken by anyone with allergies to other herbs and/or flowers such as daisies.
Courtney Rae Jones is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. She is also a Culinary Nutrition Expert having completed her certification in alternative & specialized diets through the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. She specializes in digestive health and balancing women’s reproductive hormones.