Herbal Treatment For Calming Nerves

Taking herbs, especially in the form of a hot tea, can be a relaxing ritual after a long, hard day. Some herbs are meant to be used occasionally, to calm frayed nerves, while others are needed for a particular length of time to treat specific disorders, such as generalized anxiety or depression. Before taking any herb or supplement, you should first speak to your physician.

Using Herbs

The use of herbs to treat disorders goes back thousands of years. Ancient civilizations, including Egypt and China, have written records of plants and their medicinal uses. The effectiveness of any particular herb will be determined in part on how and where it was grown. Soil and climate are just a couple of the factors that can effect an herb's potency, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. There are several medical modalities that rely heavily on the use of herbs, including western herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda. Many herbs contain strong chemical properties that carry their share of side effects and should be taken with care.

Nervines

Nervines are herbs that work directly on the central nervous system, according to herbalist Micheal Tierra. They are also called a tonic because they nourish the entire system. Common nervines, or nerve tonics, are skullcap, lobelia, valerian and lady's slipper. All these herbs can ease nervous tension and promote sleep. Skullcap and lobelia will also help the body recover from withdrawal symptoms due to drug addiction, Tierra wrote in his book, "The Way of Herbs."

Herbs for Relaxation

Chamomile, peppermint and lemon balm are herbs that work gently to create a sense of calm. They tend to help you unwind and relieve symptoms due to anxiety. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, lemon balm can also be a mood lifter. St. John's wort is often used to treat mild to moderate major depression and anxiety disorders. The German Commission E has approved its use and now it is prescribed by German doctors more often than other depression or anxiety medications, according to the American Cancer Society. Passionflower is another herb used to treat generalized anxiety, insomnia and for treating gastrointestinal discomfort due to nervousness, according to Medline Plus.

Making Teas

Teas are the easiest herbal preparation. Either fresh or dried plant matter can be used. If you are using leaves or flower parts, simply cover the herb with boiling, or almost boiling, water and steep for several minutes before straining and consuming. This process is called an infusion. When you have tough stems or roots, you will need to make a decoction. A decoction is simply boiling the herbs in the water for several minutes to allow the tough fibers to break down and allow the chemical components to steep into the water.

Cautions

Many herbs can have side effects or can interact with other medications, cause allergic reactions and should not be taken during pregnancy unless specified by your physician, according to drugs.com, an Independent drug information website. Chamomile may interact with warfarin, and peppermint should be avoided by those suffering from gastroesophageal reflux or active gastric ulcers. Lobelia may cause nausea, vomiting, and dizziness at high doses. St. John's wort may interact with several medications and side effects include dry mouth, dizziness and constipation.