Maybe if Cheech & Chong used these herbs, they wouldn't have smoked so much herb.

We have had 3 other KISS (keep it simple stupid) blogs on depression and how to battle that dark enemy. This is the final installment in our depression series, although more may come.
Nervines are a category of herbs that have a calming effect on the nervous system. Many are used for a lot of different conditions. In this post we will discuss how, why, and when to use these particular nervines for helping anxiety, depression and other mood disorders.

We have had 3 other KISS (keep it simple stupid) blogs on depression and how to battle that dark enemy. This is the final installment in our depression series, although more may come.
Nervines are a category of herbs that have a calming effect on the nervous system. Many are used for a lot of different conditions. In this post we will discuss how, why, and when to use these particular nervines for helping anxiety, depression and other mood disorders.
Specifically nervines are a class of herb that provide a restoring and balancing action to the nervous system. They often have a sedative effect on the body and the nervous system giving you that calm, relaxed, chill feeling. Often used with great results

Often these herbs will be used in teas, tinctures, extracts or capsules. My personal preference is to use either teas or capsules. I like the teas because they are coming straight from the source. You are taking the actual herb, steeping it and drinking the ingredients immediately. This is a good route to go because it is the freshest route.
The other way I like to use these herbs is in capsule form. Generally you are getting a much stronger dose by taking capsules. They are easy to take, you can carry them with you, and they are just all around easy. No waiting for water to boil, tea to steep, hot liquid cool down, droppers to deal with, they are just easy. There are other ways you can take it, but generally they are not as convenient or effective (in my experience).


My favorite Nervines

1. Valerian root - has sedative and anxiolytic, antiseptic, anticonvulsant, migraine treatment, and pain reliever.

2. passion flower - a calming herb for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and hysteria. Works by increasing levels of GABA in the brain.

3. hops - anxiety, restlessness, and fighting sleepless nights.

4. california poppy - relaxation and sleepiness

5. Lavener - including insomnia, alopecia (hair loss), anxiety, stress, and postoperative pain. It is also anti-bacterial and anti-viral.

6. Kava - prevent convulsions and relax muscles, calming effect, produces changes similar that occur with calming medicines such as diazepam

7. Chamomile - hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasm, menstrual disorders, insomnia, ulcers, gastrointestinal disorder, and hemorrhoids.

8. Lemon Balm - anxiety, dementia, cold sores, colic, upset stomach, insomnia, stress reduction.

Here are a couple of recommendations for some products that use a combination of these ingredients. As many of you know I always advocate the use of concoctions. Many of these products work well in high doses by themselves, but I almost always find that you get more effective results by using them in conjunction with other. You can also use lower doses.