Best Herbs to Soothe Your Nerves

Forget your frazzled nerves, anxiety, restlessness, nerve-related headaches and your pain. Herbs really shine when it comes to soothing your nerves.  Here are five of my picks for your best nerve-soothing herbs:

Feverfew for Migraines and Headaches

This delicate flowering plant contains potent medicine, particularly when

it comes to soothing your nervous system. Maybe that is why it has been in use for over two thousand years, when Greek physician Dioscorides recommended feverfew for inflammation. Since then we’ve learned a lot about feverfew’s many other healing properties and its effects on your nervous system.

Feverfew is excellent as your headache and migraine remedy. If you’ve taken it when you’ve had a migraine and found that it didn’t work for you rest assured that it will work when used correctly. Feverfew doesn’t work in the same way as your headache and migraine drugs;  at the first sign of pain. Rather, the best way for you to take feverfew is daily over the course of a month to prevent your headaches and migraines the following month. Research published in the tabCochrane Daase of Systematic Reviews concluded that feverfew can reduce the prevalence of your migraines.

Feverfew for Neuropathy

If you’re suffering from neuropathy pain, which is a general term to describe disorders of your nervous system that cause you pain, weakness and numbness, you’ll be happy to learn that feverfew has been found effective for these conditions. In a study published in the journal Phytomedicine, researchers found that feverfew was as effective as the drug gapapentin (an anti-epileptic drug used in the treatment of your neuropathic pain). Steep one teaspoon of the dried herb (leaves, flowers, and stems) in one cup of boiled water for 10 minutes. Then you drink 3 cups daily.

Nettles to Block Pain Signals

Nettles, or stinging nettles, as the plant is also called due to its fine hair

that impart a stinging sensation on your skin, have been found to interfere with pain signals transmitted through your nervous system, thereby reducing seemingly unrelated types of pain. In a study of nettles on osteoarthritis pain, researchers found that nettles reduced your pain linked to the disease. Study participants also found that they needed fewer anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs while taking nettles. Of course, you should consult your physician prior to reducing prescriptions. Dried nettles can be made into tea or added to soups and stews. (*I’ve had a run in with nettles in my backyard and it is no fun. You have to be careful as the stinging sensation lasts a good 24 hours; no matter what you do*)

Sage to Ease Stress and Balance Moods

While sage is increasingly known to aid in your brain health and memory-

boosting effects, this potent herb also plays a critical role in balancing your moods. It appears to work by inhibiting an enzyme that breaks down your essential brain hormone known as acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is needed for your mood regulation as well as many other brain and bodily functions. Drinking a few cups of sage tea on a daily basis may be just what you need to soothe your nerves and ease your stress. Avoid using sage if you suffer from migraines.

St. John’s Wort to Alleviate Anxiety

While there are many excellent studies proving the effectiveness of St.

John’s Wort against your depression, few people realize that this lovely flowering herb can be used as a natural anti-anxiety medicine. Research published in the journal Phytotherapy Research found that the herb was effective in your treatment of anxiety. Use one teaspoon of dried flowers from this plant steeped in one cup of boiled water and drink 3 times daily to take advantage of St. John’s Wort’s anti-anxiety effects. Alternatively, you can take a tincture and follow package directions.

Valerian for Restlessness, Hyperactivity and Anxiety

Valerian root has long been used for its anti-anxiety effects, and newer

research shows that its potent anti-anxiety effects may be attributed at least, in part to the compound valerenic acid.  Other research shows that this powerful natural medicine taken in combination with lemon balm was helpful to reduce your restlessness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness in your elementary school children after 7 weeks of treatment with the herbs. Valerian is best taken in tincture format, and you should follow package instructions. For children use an alcohol-free extract known as a glycerite.

Consult your physician prior to using these herbs if you are suffering from any serious health condition or if you’re taking any pharmaceutical drugs.

*I take Valerian when I feel anxious, and because it calms my anxiety, it helps me sleep better.*

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By now, you know I’m a believer in herbal medicines (natural remedies) and I’ll take them over prescription drugs whenever possible as there are fewer side effects… Do you treat yourself naturally? If so, please let me know your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you.

Have a great healthy day!