13 Nervine Herbs to Support the Nervous System*

Albizia

Albizia (Albizia julibrissin) is also known as Mimosa. Travel across the Southeast US in summer, and you’ll see its whimsical pink and white flowers fluttering in the wind. They’re light and feathery, with a pleasant fragrance. The trees are technically an invasive species in the South, introduced back in the late 1700s by French botanist Andre Michaux. They’re actually native to China, where the tree is known as Silk Plant or “the Tree of Happiness.”

The bark has long been used in traditional Chinese herbalism to calm the mind and heart. The bark and flower traditionally were used in times of grief. Take one look at the delicate pink flowers and you can’t help but smile!*

Bacopa

Though Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) is an Ayurvedic herb native to India, it also grows wild in areas of Texas and other southern states. Also known as Water Hyssop, it’s a perennial “creeping” herb that loves warm, wet climates.

It has been used in Ayurveda since the 6th century to support healthy brain function, and Vedic scholars relied on it when memorizing sacred texts. Bacopa is so revered that one of its common names is Brahmi, named after the Hindu god Brahma.*

Catnip

As the name suggests, Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is beloved by our feline friends. However, this herb is not only for cats. We think it’s underappreciated by humans — and there’s plenty of Catmint to share! (And if you struggle to keep deer or aphids out of your garden, consider planting Catnip, as it repels them both.) Catnip loves the sun and is an aromatic perennial like many of its Mint family relatives.

If you’ve ever seen a cat in the presence of Catnip, you might be surprised to learn that it is categorized as a relaxing nervine for humans. Catnip is stimulating when cats sniff it, but relaxing when they eat it!*

Traditionally Catnip was consumed as a tea across Europe, to offer calming support to mind and body. It is sometimes combined with Peppermint, which soothes indigestion and occasional nausea, or Lemon Balm, which provides support for nervousness and over-excitement.*

Catnip is great for kids, too. You’ll find it in both Kids Tummy TLC™ and Kids Fast Asleep™.

Hops

Hops (Humulus lupulus) are perhaps best known today as a ubiquitous, bitter and aromatic ingredient in beer. Pliny, the ancient Roman philosopher, wrote of Hops back in the first century AD. Then, Hops was a salad green — and you might still find the young shoots from Hop vines in your salad in central Europe. In the centuries that followed, this relative of Hemp and Cannabis was also used in herbalism, then to preserve and flavor beer.

The strobiles, or the scaly conelike fruit, are used in brewing and herbalism. Take a close look at a Hop strobile, and you’ll see the sticky abundant powder between the scales. This substance is known as lupulin, and it provides the plant’s characteristic scent and taste.

Hops are sturdy vines that love to climb and wind around their supports. Their botanical species name, lupulus, is a nod to the strength with which Hops winds its tendrils. Lupulus stems from the Latin word for wolf, as the ancient Romans falsely believed Hops strangled other plants (as wolves do to prey). Although Hops does not, in fact, put other plants in a sleeper hold, it does offer traditional calming support for the nervous system.*

Kava

Kava (Piper methysticum) has become popular in the West in recent decades, but it has been consumed across the South Pacific for more than 3,000 years. Native to islands including Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Hawaii, this herb has been used to ceremonially welcome dignitaries, settle disputes and facilitate reconciliation.

There, Kava is still consumed traditionally, as a beverage and usually in a group. Traditionally, mostly men drank Kava in Tonga, while in Fiji, anyone could partake. That’s a fascinating historical fact, given than Kava promotes peaceful relaxation and reduces stress and frustration.*

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most aromatic nervines you’ll encounter! We grow this beautiful herb on our farm in southern Oregon. While our mountain valley looks markedly different from the south of France, the latitude of the two locations is quite similar. That’s good news for us, since Lavender thrives on our farm.

Beloved for its signature, potent fragrance and delicate purple flowers, Lavender gets its name from the Latin word for “to wash,” a nod to its use by both ancient Greeks and Romans. It continues to be a popular fragrance in soaps, detergents and perfumes, all these millennia later.

The entire plant is fragrant, but the flowers are used in herbalism. They bloom in June or July, and they’re harvested and carefully dried soon after. Lavender sachets are commonly used to keep clothes smelling fresh and ward off any moths that might chew holes in them.

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is a relative of Mint and Catnip. It’s easy to grow and a favorite among pollinators. The herb gets its genus name, Melissa, from the Greek word for “honeybee,” and it’s planted to attract them for honey production! Lemon Balm leaves may repel ants and flies, both on the plant and when rubbed on your skin.

The leaves are gathered fresh and used then, or dried. They’re commonly used for tea, in fruit cups and to flavor liqueurs like Chartreuse and Benedictine. The pleasant aroma lingers long after drying, so Lemon Balm is also found in potpourri.

Lemon Balm is a gentle herb that’s appropriate for use in children and adults.

Oat Seed

Oat milk may be a trendy drink that’s tasty in a latte, but did you know that this humble plant has been a beloved food, beverage and herb for almost 2,000 years? Even Greek goddesses drank Oat “milk.” According to myths, Earth mother Gaia herself was raised on Oat Seed (Avena sativa). Another myth states that to dream of a field of ripe Oats is a most favorable omen. (The idea is that the field is ready for the sickle or harvest.) We grow Oats as a cover crop, to nourish the soil, then harvest the unripe seeds for our extracts.

Oat Seed extract is made from the same Oats you might eat for breakfast. The only difference is that, in herbalism, the grains are harvested when they are green and still “milky.” This milk isn’t what you’ll add to your cereal. (That’s made by soaking and blending mature Oats.) Instead, it’s the substance inside each seed — and when you pop one, you’ll see the milk.

Oat Seed offers traditional support for the nervous system. Traditionally, rolled Oats have also been used to soothe from the outside in — perhaps you’ve added some to a bath when you’ve stumbled upon poison ivy or stayed in the sun too long?*

Passionflower

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is a fast-growing climbing vine considered an invasive weed in some Southern states. You’ll see the vine’s tendrils endlessly curling around and around whatever it finds, which may serve as a reminder that it offers support for exhaustion from cerebral fullness and from excitement. Passionflower is an herb used in Native American herbalism, specifically the Cherokee and Houma tribes in the Southeast.*

Ever hear of Maypop jelly? It’s made from Passionflower fruit! The plant’s flowers attract pollinators when in bloom, and wild turkeys also like to snack on Passionflower tendrils.

Skullcap

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is a perennial herb native to North America. You might see it growing in meadows or the woods in summer, with its characteristic little blue or purple flowers. It has been used for centuries in herbalism. We know that the Native Americans used it 200 years ago, and the Eclectics and other herbalists used it after that.

The herb’s genus name, Scutellaria, stems from the Latin word that means “little dish” or “shield,” which is a nod to the shape of the flower’s calyx. We grow Skullcap on our farm, where we harvest it fresh and extract the flowering herb.

Valerian

On our Pharm, Valerian is one of the most polarizing herbs. People either love it or… not. If you’ve ever smelled a fresh-cut Valerian root, you might know why some on our team find other tasks to keep busy during Valerian harvests. Once bruised, it has a peculiar and aromatic smell that is a little too potent for some. This reminds us that plants are as unique as people!

Valerian is among about 75 crops we grow on our Certified Organic farms, and it has been used in herbalism for at least 2,000 years. Hippocrates and Galen wrote of — and used — Valerian! During medieval times, Valerian was used as a spice and a perfume. And during World War II, Valerian was taken during air raids in Great Britain. (It promotes relaxation and restful sleep.)*

According to legend, the Pied Piper used Valerian to lure rodents away from the town of Hamelin. And cats also like Valerian (it’s like Catnip to them)!