Time to relax with Nervines
Relaxing with Nervines
Today in our hectic world, people need to relax more than ever. As adults, we have so much responsibility with the balancing of careers and family. Many of the younger generation are very homebound and get crowd anxiety even when making a simple but necessary trip to the grocery store. Even the children of today are dealing with more cases of ADHD than ever before. This is where Nervine herbs fit into our life. Whether it’s taking a little time for yourself and drinking that cup of Nervine herbal tea, or taking a quick dosage on the go of an herbal Nervine tincture, here is how they work and the many things they can aid you in coping with.
Nervines can be used for different purposes.
These can be defined into types by the actions they have on the body.
Nervine Tonics strengthen the system and support the brain and help heal damaged nerves.
Nervines Relaxants are herbs that work on the nervous system and lend a relaxing feel to the body be it a muscle relaxing or a psychological.
Nervine Hypnotics are the heavy hitters that will usually put you to sleep. Calming and Uplifting Nervines are mild and gently ease an overactive body or mind.
The uses of nervines for the body can be modified through choosing a type to apply for your specific issue. The most common use of nervine herbs is to help with insomnia. Another is to calm Anxiety. Because of their ability to relax the nervous system, some users take them for involuntary muscle spasms like RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome). An added benefit is some can help with nerve pain. Many parents have been using low doses of nervine herbs instead of heavy pharmaceutical drugs to treat ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) to calm children in school so that they can focus on what’s going on. Nerve tonics can be taken for a 6 week period and then like any other herb, should be given a week of rest without the herb.
Here is a list of Nervine Herbs from strongest to weakest with helpful tips about them.
Valerian Root- Mostly for Sleep and Restless legs. Native Wisconsin Plant. Can be grown easily.
Kava Kava Root- To relieve anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness, and stress-related symptoms such as muscle tension or spasm. Kava may also relieve pain. Kava is grown on the south pacific islands.
Hops Flowers- Traditionally used in Sleep Pillows. Can be grown at home. 30’ vine.
Passion flower Leaf and (Green) Vine- used for sleep and calming. Usually not grown in WI (there is one variety that will survive here).
Skullcap Leaves- Use for sleep and calming. Use fresh tincture for a tonic and an infusion (Tea) for a hypnotic. Grows in WI woods and can be grown in the garden.
Linden Tree Flowers and Bracts- Calmative. These trees are very popular in the city.
Chamomile Flowers- Gentle calmative. Can be easily grown in the garden.
Californian Poppy (Whole) Plant- Sedative, calming for anxiety, ADHD. Can be grown here.
Oats-nervine Tonic, supports the nervous system. Use tincture made from fresh Milky Oats. Grown as a Wisconsin crop.
Blue Vervain- Strengthens the nervous system while relaxing any stress. Native to Wisconsin. Use aerial parts of the plant.
St John’s Wort Flowers Tops- mildly relaxing, Strengthen the nerve systems, nerve pain, and uplifts the spirit. Common Wisconsin roadside plant.
Lemon Balm Leaves- Improves sleep and reduces anxiety. Grow in gardens. Delicious in tea!
Lavender Buds-Gentle calmative. Can be grown in the garden. Use the flower buds. Drink as a tea, or just inhale fragrance.
Catnip- Calming for adults and especially children. Common Wisconsin weed. Can be grown in the garden. Use aerial parts of the plant. Pleasant in tea.
Motherwort- Heart nervine, panic attacks. Common Weed in WI. Use aerial parts of the plant.
