Top 5 Herbs for Nervous System Nourishment
As we inch towards the holidays you might find yourself experiencing anxiety and stress creeping up, holding you back from making the most of this season. Whether you're beginning to feel overwhelmed because of family, end of the year work deadlines, grappling with the darker days or because we are still living in a pandemic and the last almost two years (yes, almost two) have been traumatic and unlike anything we've ever been through before - unless you're my grandma and 101 years young
Stress, overwhelm, anxiety and depression are some of life's least enjoyable side effects but luckily we have the tools, herbs and support to come out on top of these mental/emotional struggles.
***First I just want to make sure it is deeply understood that if you are experiencing any mental/emotional difficulties, please know you are not alone. Please reach out for professional help if what you are experiencing is in need of more assistance. I am always a fan of having a therapist on my team and think everyone can benefit from their excellence :)
Stress, overwhelm, anxiety and sometimes depression are symptoms of an over exhausted vata dosha (air and ether elements) and majja dhatu (the Ayurvedic term for your nervous system) and this influx of vata can cause secondary symptoms that may not look like anxiety, stress, overwhelm and depression but often are. Digestion issues, mood swings, cycle irregularities, trouble with sleep, just to name a few.
First things first - we ALWAYS, ALWAYS want to work on lifestyle and diet before slapping some herbs in our way and calling it a day. Herbal bandaids can be helpful but don't always work for long term change.
Ways to easily (without disrupting your life too much) add in stress reducing lifestyle changes:
1. 30 seconds of gentle breathwork before a meal to stimulate the vagus nerve and put your body into "rest and digest" in order to maximize nutrient absorption
2. Eat meals slowly and in a calm and relaxed environment
3. Work on eating proper food combinations (see more on my website)
4. Dedicate 1 min every hour to check in with your body, do a small breath work/meditation practice.
5. Reduce the daily intake of caffeinated beverages and sugar.
Top 5 Herbs (that you may not have heard of ) for Nervous system restore: *You do not need to take all of these at the same time.*
1. Ashwagandha root is an incredible nervine which helps to support the nervous system. Ashwagandha can help to reduce anxiety, aid in sleep, and has even been found to improve brain function and memory. My favorite way to take this herb is in tincture form throughout the day to keep me calm and to avoid falling into fight or flight and before bed to help me sleep deeply.
2. Gotu Kola is a an Ayurvedic herb from the parsley family that has been named “the herb of longevity” for it’s healing properties in boosting brain and cognitive function. Gotu Kola also has a calming effect on the nervous system and can help reduce or release anxiety.
3. Bacopa (also known as Brahmi) is well known in Ayurvedic medicine for its ability to reduce anxiety, improve memory, boost brain function and is also commonly used for treating epilepsy. Bacopa has also been found to balance serotonin in the brain by increasing serotonin synthesis and regulating the uptake of serotonin.
4. Skullcap is a beautiful purple flower used as a sedative for sleep, nervous system disorders and has historically been used in treating hysteria, and epilepsy. Instead of reaching for your sleeping pills, maybe try some skullcap before bed instead.
5. Oat Straw, a cooling nervine and one of the most abundant resources grown is a top contender for healing disorders such as depression and anxiety. Research has shown this herb can also help reduce the risk of heart disease and increase energy. Its cooling and demulcent properties make this herb incredibly supportive for the body as a whole.
Combining a nervous system supportive lifestyle with diet and herbs can help to manage stress, overwhelm and anxiety for a more lively and enjoyable life.
For herbal recommendations on what to take, how much to take and when to take - schedule a consultation with Ashley for a customized treatment plan.
Customize your Health Journey
General guidelines for health and healing are important and can be very beneficial for educating the masses on how to make smart choices about ones wellbeing. However, we are individual people with unique makeups who need personalized treatment plans. If you’re not feeling your absolute best and want more guidance in how to best live your healthiest life, we can work together to develop a customized treatment plan that helps get you to where you need to be.
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*It is important to work with a wellness coach to see these imbalances as well as better understand your natural constitution to find the root cause of some of the health issues you may be facing with no solution in sight. All of the information in this blog is for educational purposed only and is not medical advice.