Heading into the busy time of the year, many people are coming in asking for nervous system support. There are so many herbs who can support us. Adaptogens, relaxants, restoratives… but what’s the difference between them? How do we choose? Let’s explore some categories of actions. Each of these herbs also have their own affinities beyond just the grouping they’re under. Often, we will make a blend and combine herbs for our unique needs.
Adaptogens
These herbs help our endocrine systems adapt to stressors, impacting how we respond to them hormonally. Because of this, adaptogens can also have positive impacts on cortisol levels, chronic inflammation, insulin sensitivity, immune function, sleep cycles, and reproductive health. Some examples include:
- Ashwagandha
- Tulsi (Holy Basil)
- Eleuthero
- Shatavari
- Reishi
- Schisandra
Not all adaptogens are the same. One important distinction is that some adaptogens (such as Tulsi and Reishi) are more relaxing, whereas others (such as Eleuthero) can be more stimulating. These differences can also be dose-dependent. A small amount of Eleuthero or Schisandra can be calming, whereas a large dose can provide a bit of stimulation to energy levels.
Some adaptogens, such as Tulsi, Reishi, and Schisandra, have greater impacts on insulin sensitivity. Other adaptogens, such as Ashwagandha, have a particular affinity for supporting regular sleep cycles, even if taken during the day. Ashwagandha is also the perfect example of an adaptogen that some people find builds energy, while others find it to be more relaxing.
Nervine Trophorestoratives
A trophorestorative herb helps to restore the vital capacity of the tissue itself, feeding it with growing benefits over time. Nervine trophorestoratives help support the health of the nervous system tissue, assisting us in healing the impacts of chronic stress on a physical level. Some examples include:
- Skullcap
- Milky Oat Seed
- Damiana
- Linden
- Bacopa
- St. John’s Wort
Not all nervine trophorestoratives are the same. All trophorestoratives have increasing benefits to the nerves over time, but their short-term actions vary. Some are more relaxing in the moment, such as Skullcap, Bacopa, Damiana, and Linden. On the contrary, herbs such as St. John’s Wort can feel stimulating and uplifting. Some, like Milky Oat and Linden, are cooling and moistening, well-suited for people who run dry or hot. Others, like St. John’s Wort and Ashwagandha, are both more warming to the body and should be paired with moistening herbs if you run dry.
Exhilarants
These herbs are uniquely lovely, defined by aromatics which inspire us to take deep breaths due to their enchanting scents. Exhilarants bring out the inner bee, draw us in, and remind us of delight and joy. We should choose them based on what we are attracted to, as they can be a healthy source of pleasure and help us get motivated to take our herbal formulas.
Some examples include:
- Tulsi
- Rose
- Vanilla
- Cacao/Chocolate
- Lemon Balm
- Linden
Relaxants
As the name implies, relaxants help the body and mind relax. Relaxants not only help the mind to settle, but they also have an impact on tissue relaxation, and can be an excellent choice to include when there is muscle tension present. They are an excellent category for supporting daytime stressors. Relaxants are distinct from sedatives and hypnotics because they are generally quite gentle and suitable for daytime use, depending on the dose. Some relaxants become more sedative with larger doses. Some examples include:
- Lemon Balm
- Tulsi
- Chamomile
- Motherwort
- Skullcap
- Passionflower
- Damiana
- Blue Vervain
Sedatives
Sedatives are relaxants that are a bit stronger in their action, and can help us to feel sleepy when we are having trouble relaxing in the evening. There is significant overlap between the two categories, and some herbs, like Passionflower, can certainly be taken during the day, depending on the person, but become sedative with a larger dose. Examples include:
- Mugwort
- Valerian
- Kava
- Hops
- Magnolia Bark
Hypnotics
Hypnotics have considerably stronger relaxing action than sedatives, and are often not indicated for daytime unless someone has built a tolerance to them or requires them for supporting pain relief. These herbs have the potential to make someone sleepy when they otherwise might not have been feeling tired before. These herbs can be good choices when big adjustments to the sleep cycle are needed. Some examples include:
- California Poppy
- Wild Lettuce
- Jamaican Dogwood
Blending Herbs for the Nervous System
There are infinite formula combinations available to us in the herbal world, and nervous system formulas are some of my favorites. By blending, we can combine the long-term impacts of adaptogens and trophorestoratives with the short-term impacts of exhilarants, relaxants, sedatives, and hypnotics. These short-term impacts help us stay motivated to take our long-term support herbs whose benefits build over time.
For example, Avena Botanicals’ Stress Be Gone blend combines relaxants Skullcap and Passionflower with a gentle dose of Eleuthero. I love this combination, because I always want to make sure I am reducing stress and tension if I am taking herbs that make me feel more energized. I find that gives a much more balanced outcome, since low energy and overwhelm so often come side by side. I like the choice of Eleuthero in this blend, since it has some relaxing properties alongside its ability to support energy and performance, making it a gentler choice for most people in longer-term usage compared to some stimulating adaptogens, like Red Ginseng or Rhodiola.
Making a Nervous System Support Plan
It’s important that our herbal support goals are realistic. It can be hard to remember to take our herbs, especially when under stress. There are so many methods of taking herbs—tinctures, capsules, powders, teas—and in our busy lives, we need to find what is most convenient for us. For me, this means I need to have backup plans of the ways I can take my herbs. I like to have my most important herbs at my desk at work, as well as at home. For my short-term care relaxants, I like to keep them in my pocket at all times during my busy work day. Lately, I’ve been taking a relaxing blend of Skullcap and Damiana to help reduce muscle and mental tension during the day. I’ve been aiming to have Eleuthero instead when I want to reach for coffee in the afternoon. Later on, I’ll take a blend of Motherwort, Mugwort, and Blue Vervain to help me wind down at night. I take some after dinner, some while I’m doing my evening activities like drawing, and some as I start getting ready for bed. I’ll keep it by the bedside, too, in case I need extra support falling asleep. This method of pulse dosing is generally much more effective than a larger amount taken all at once.
We can also plan ahead for our nervous system support and plant seeds for our needs. Here are some you could grow, available from Earthbeat.
Disclaimer
We are not doctors. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. There are no state or federal authorities in the U.S. that license herbalists. The staff at Blue Hill Co-op do not prescribe, offer medical opinions, or practice medicine. Please reach out to your primary care provider or seek emergency support if you require medical care.
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