My Favourite Nervous System Herbs to Calm, Restore, and Uplift
I go through stages with my herbal favourites, but right now, my absolute herb of the moment is Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). Gentle, safe for breastfeeding, and compatible with most medications, it’s the herb I reach for when my nervous system really needs something and very fast to simmer down. You can use it in smaller, regular doses to support chronic stress, or in larger doses in the moment for acute anxiety or tension. I love that Skullcap helps untangle mental chatter while gently easing physical tension. Great for when stress effects your body physically (sore tense muscles, tension headaches) or if any physical stimuli (light, sounds, the touch of your clothes) is overwhelming. This is the hero ingredient in our Stress Support formula
For longer-term, heart-centred healing, I always return to our tonic for grief and a broken heart, Rose Medicine 🌹. This tonic has become a ritual for me: it softens the heart, eases emotional tension, and supports gentle processing of grief, trauma, or postpartum overwhelm. Helpful for when you are past breaking point and need to learn the lessons from that, or during a breakup.
And when I want a lift and need to find joy, creativity, and see the world in a brighter way, Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) in our Good Vibes Only is my go-to. Truly a gift: dreamy, euphoric, and sparkly. I just love it and it is our number one product for a reason.
Here are some of my favourite nervous system supporting herbs that you can explore yourself:
🌸 Relaxing Nervines
These are the herbs you reach for when feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stressed, or when mental chatter is keeping you awake at night. They gently calm the nervous system and support more restful sleep.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita): Gentle and comforting, perfect for winding down in the evening.
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): Untangles mental chatter and eases nervous tension.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): Helps quiet racing thoughts and invites calm.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis): Soothes a buzzing mind and can help to ease digestive disturbances caused by stress.
How to use: Infuse as a tea, make a simple tincture, or combine in a calming blend for nightly rituals. A cup before bed can become a beautiful, grounding routine. Also try these products; Simmer Down Tea, Stress Support, Dreamers Tea, Dreamers Drops
🌿 Restorative Nervines
These herbs rebuild and strengthen the nervous system over time. Herbalists call them nourishing tonics, they don’t just calm the system in the moment, they help restore resilience and vitality and can be taken (mostly) long term.
Milky oats (Avena sativa – fresh milky tops): Nourishes frazzled nerves and restores vitality; ideal for burnout.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): A grounding adaptogen that eases stress and supports long-term resilience.
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Brings deep calm, restores nervous system balance, and supports overall systemic harmony.
How to use: Often enjoyed as decoctions, tinctures, or infused in teas and tonics and nourishing herbal infusions. Regular use over weeks or months can gently strengthen the nervous system and improve stress tolerance. Check out these products; Reishi Mushroom, Sacred Tea, Stress Support, Medicinal Mushroom hot chocolate, Coffee Boost, Golden Milk
🌞 Uplifting Nervines
When your spirit feels low, these herbs bring joy, lightness, clarity, and ease of communication. They are perfect for those days when you need emotional support, or when you want to reconnect with yourself or others. They’re perfect to enjoy with your partner if life is tricky, there are some conversations to be had, but you want to proceed in a loving, gentle way.
Rose (Rosa spp.): Softens the heart and eases emotional tension. One of the greatest herbs for grief, trauma, and emotional healing (in my opinion!) especially wonderful for postpartum mothers.
Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea): Dreamy, euphoric, and blissful; can increase libido and enhance connection with a partner.
Tulsi / Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum): Clears mental fog and lifts mood; gifts resilience and helps you move through stressing onto the other side.
Damiana (Turnera diffusa): Gentle energiser while being relaxing at the same time; supports joy and playfulness, perfect for reconnecting with your partner if stress has diminished the spark.
Cacao (Theobroma cacao): Yes, chocolate is medicine! Supports mood, heart-opening, and sensory pleasure.
How to use: Uplifting herbs are wonderful as teas, tonics, cordials (you can add to cocktails and mocktails) or added to rituals that connect the heart and mind, like mindful meditation, journaling, yoga, prayer, dance or a shared cup with someone you love. You can have a look at these products in out range; Good Vibes Only, Blue Lotus Elixir, Stress Support, Sacred Tea, Meditate Tea, Focus Hot Chocolate, Medicinal Mushroom Hot chocolate, Rose Medicine
Why Nervines Matter
The nervous system thrives on rhythm, ritual, and gentleness. These herbs have been keeping humans steady for centuries, supporting emotional balance, resilience, and a little joy along the way. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, depleted, or a little low, there’s a nervine for every stage — and a way to integrate them into your daily life.
Tip: Start small. Pick one relaxing, one restorative, and one uplifting herb to rotate through your day or week. Notice how your body responds. Over time, you’ll start to feel the subtle, steady support these plants offer.
Much Love
Penelope xo
