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Of all the body systems I have studied and taught over the decades, the nervous system holds a particular fascination for me — because it is the system that connects everything else. It governs thought, sensation, movement, sleep, mood, and the body's response to stress. When the nervous system is overwhelmed or depleted, the effects are felt everywhere. Herbal medicine has always had a rich tradition of nervine herbs — plants that calm, nourish, and restore the nervous system. Valerian, passionflower, skullcap, St John's wort, lemon balm, and lavender are among the most beloved in the western tradition, and they have helped countless people find their way back to calm, rest, and clarity.
Anxiety
23 April 2019
In olden days, camomile was known as the “plant’s physician” and it is stated that nothing contributes as much to a healthy garden as a number of camomile plants. Old herbals tell us that if a plant is drooping or sickly, it will recover if you place a camomile near it. There are two types […]
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ASOHM News
15 December 2017
Hypericum is one of nature’s best herbs for the entire nervous system. This herb (also known as St John’s wort) has received much medical attention and recognition, particularly for its use in mild to moderate depression and anxiety. Clinical trials have now shown that hypericum is as effective as some prescription antidepressants, but does not […]
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ASOHM News
21 November 2017
Sage or salvia officinalis, as it is scientifically called, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries and is a valuable remedy for throat/mouth problems, intestinal/digestion complaints and menopausal hot flushes, to name just a few. It is a native to Southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, where the leaves of this small evergreen, perennial […]
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ASOHM News
11 November 2017
Good-natured laughter does more than brighten a person’s day. When we laugh heartily, we also exercise our muscles. Psychology today says: Laughter reduces pain, increases job performance, connects people emotionally, and improves the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain. According to some Japanese doctors, laughter also normalises imbalances in the endocrine, nervous and […]
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ASOHM News
13 August 2017
An overload of toxins in your body will lead to chronic illness, premature ageing and death. You and I are exposed to thousands of toxic chemicals, they are everywhere — all the time. They are in the air...
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ASOHM News
15 April 2017
Hawthorn is an excellent herb for the heart. The main medicinal use of hawthorn is as a cardiotonic, a tonic for the heart. It looks after the heart by gradually reducing elevated blood pressure and by stimulating or...
Read article →The articles in this section cover the nervous system herbs and their applications across a wide range of conditions — from mild daily stress and poor sleep to more persistent anxiety and mood disturbances. Where symptoms are severe or persistent, I always encourage professional support alongside any herbal approach.
A nervine is a herb that has a beneficial effect on the nervous system — this includes herbs that calm (anxiolytics), herbs that nourish and strengthen the nervous system (nervine tonics), and herbs that are mildly sedating. Not all nervines cause drowsiness. Lemon balm and chamomile are calming without being sedating. Valerian and passionflower are more explicitly sedating and are best used in the evening or before sleep.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has some of the best clinical evidence for anxiety, comparable to low-dose benzodiazepines in some studies, with far fewer side effects. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) — particularly in an orally administered oil preparation — has been trialled for generalised anxiety disorder with promising results. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogen with strong evidence for reducing cortisol and anxiety. Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and lemon balm are also excellent choices.
St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been one of the most extensively studied herbal medicines for mild to moderate depression, with a substantial body of clinical evidence showing efficacy comparable to standard antidepressants in this range. However, it has significant interactions with many pharmaceutical drugs — including oral contraceptives, antiretrovirals, and warfarin — and should not be combined with pharmaceutical antidepressants. Medical guidance is essential.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is the classic sleep herb, with evidence for improving sleep quality, particularly in combination with hops (Humulus lupulus). Passionflower helps with the anxiety that prevents sleep. Chamomile and lavender are gentle options for mild sleep disturbance. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a gentle, non-addictive sedative herb useful for restless sleep. Creating a consistent sleep routine alongside herbal support is equally important.
Some are, some are not. St John's wort specifically must not be combined with pharmaceutical antidepressants due to the risk of serotonin syndrome. Others, such as valerian or chamomile, are generally considered safe but may enhance sedative effects. Always disclose all supplements to your prescribing doctor.
The concept of adrenal fatigue is not recognised as a medical diagnosis, but the experience of profound exhaustion, cognitive fog, and difficulty recovering from stress is real and increasingly common. Adaptogenic herbs — ashwagandha, rhodiola, siberian ginseng, withania — are the primary herbal tools for this presentation, alongside restorative lifestyle practices.
Lesson 7 covers the nervous system and sensory organs — including the anatomy and physiology of the central and peripheral nervous systems, common neurological conditions, and the herbs most beneficial for supporting nervous system health, mood, and sleep.
Understanding how the nervous system works — and how herbs interact with it — is one of the most empowering things you can learn in herbal medicine. Our Lesson 7 covers this beautifully, and our broader course gives you the full context of how the nervous system connects to every other body system. View lesson packages and enrol today.