Nervousness may be a normal response to a stressful situation, or it can be a general condition without a specific trigger. Your body may show signs of nervousness, such as sweaty hands, upset stomach, dry mouth or tense muscles. Herbs can have a calming effect without being narcotic, and may help overcome nervous feelings. Consult your health-care practitioner before starting herbal therapy.
Passion Flower
Passion flower, or Passiflora incarnata, is a perennial vine with an edible fruit and white and purple flowers that is native to the southern regions of North America. The Housma made a tea from the root to use as a blood tonic, while the Cherokee concocted a tea for liver problems and also used the plant topically to treat wounds, boils and earache, according to Anthony J. Cichoke, D.C., Ph.D. Herbalists use the leaves and stems to treat anxiety, insomnia and other nervous conditions; the plant has nervine, antispasmodic and hypotensive actions. Clinical herbalist David Hoffmann says passion flower is a central nervous system depressant and is useful for its sedative and soothing properties, especially if the nervousness causes insomnia. Dr. Linda B. White and Steven Foster, authors of "The Herbal Drugstore," recommend a tea, tincture or capsules for calming your nerves and for severe daytime anxiety. Do not use this herb with other antidepressants, especially MAO-inhibitors.
Valerian
Valerian, or Valeriana officinalis, is a perennial herb with clusters of white flowers found throughout the world. Native Americans used it to treat nervous conditions, insomnia, stomach disorders and wounds, according to Anthony J. Cichoke, D.C., Ph.D. Herbalists use the root and rhizome, or underground stem, to treat anxiety, insomnia, muscle tension, indigestion, colic and uterine spasms; the plant has nervine, sedative, antispasmodic and hypotensive actions. Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink, authors of "Medicinal Plants of the World," note that valerian's calming actions may come from its effect on gamma-Aminobutyric acid, or GABA, which is the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter. Like benzodiazepine drugs, valerian interacts with GABA receptors to prevent neurons from firing, thus reducing excitability and anxiety. Do not combine valerian with other central nervous system depressants.
Skullcap
Skullcap, or Scutellaria lateriflora, is a native North American leafy herb with cap-shaped blue-violet flowers. Traditional healers use the aerial parts to treat epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia and nervous tension, as they have nervine, tonic, hypotensive and antispasmodic actions. According to clinical herbalist David Hoffmann, skullcap is the most important nervine in western herbalism. It calms nervous tension and tones the central nervous system. White and Foster recommend skullcap tea or tincture to relax the nervous system, especially in cases of nervousness and tension due to hormonal changes, as in premenstrual syndrome and menopause. Avoid this herb is you are currently using antidepressants or other central nervous system depressants.
References
- "Secrets of Native American Herbal Remedies": Anthony J. Cichoke, D.C., Ph.D.; 2001
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "The Herbal Drugstore"; Linda B. White, M.D., Steven Foster; 2000
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
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