Your nervous system, including your brain and the nerves along your spinal column, can become fatigued due to illness or the stresses of everyday life. Nervous exhaustion can weaken your immune system and trigger physical or psychological disorders. Herbs have a long history of nourishing, relaxing and strengthening nerve cells, thereby contributing to your overall health. Check with your health care professional for an accurate diagnosis before starting herbal treatment.
Herbal Actions
Herbs for the nerves are called nervines, and they can have various effects. Nervine tonics will help strengthen your nervous system, nervine relaxants will calm your nerves and help reduce stress and tension, and nervine stimulants will give your tired nerves a jolt. You can take these herbs in teas, tinctures or capsules, or apply them topically as creams, oils and lotions. Consult a knowledgeable health care practitioner before selecting which nervine herbs to use for your specific condition.
Skullcap
Skullcap, or Scutellaria laterifolia, is a perennial herb with long stems and violet flowers. As a nervine tonic, skullcap has a revivifying effect on your nerves. Traditional healers use the aerial parts and roots to strengthen and support the nervous system, and to treat nervous disorders such as epilepsy, hysteria, tension, anxiety and insomnia. In his 2003 book, "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine," clinical herbalist David Hoffmann states that skullcap is useful for exhaustion and depression since it soothes tension while renewing and rejuvenating your central nervous system. Do not combine skullcap with other sedatives or antidepressants.
Passion Flower
Passion flower, or Passiflora incarnata, is a perennial vine native to North America. Herbalists use the leaves and stems to calm and relax the nerves. In their 2009 book, "Medicinal Plants of the World," botanist Ben-Erik van Wyk and biologist Michael Wink state that passion flower contains chemicals such as maltol and ethylmaltol, which have sedative and anticonvulsant effects on the central nervous system. Herbalist David Hoffmann also notes that the herb is specifically useful for chronic insomnia, which can lead to nervous exhaustion. Do not use passion flower if you are taking antidepressants, especially MAO-inhibitors.
Peppermint
Peppermint, or Mentha piperita, is an aromatic herb containing a mildly stimulating volatile oil. Traditional healers use the oil to relieve pain and headache, and as a mild boost to restore a tired nervous system. Peppermint is also a relaxing herb for spastic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Van Wyk and Wink recommend rubbing a few drops of the oil into your forehead and temples to relieve headaches caused by nervous tension. Do not ingest the oil or apply it to children's faces.
References
- "Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine"; David Hoffmann; 2003
- "Medicinal Plants of the World"; Ben-Erik van Wyk and Michael Wink; 2009
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