Valerian Root is called nature's tranquilizer. For centuries it has been used to regulate the nervous system and relieve tension, irritability, nervous exhaustion and stress, anxiety and hysteria. Considered a sedative, Valerian Root helps to relieve insomnia and has been used to provide a sound sleep without the morning-after grogginess frequently associated with prescription drugs. It also does not lead to dependence or addiction when used. Valerian is considered an anodyne that relieves pain and reduces sensitivity of the nerves. It helps recovery from shock and sudden emotional distress, and relieves the harsh effects of rehabilitation for many addicts. (Click here for more information on Valerian Root)
Hops is considered to be a nervine and a tonic that has a calming effect on the entire body. It is said to have a soothing effect on the nervous system that is helpful in treating restlessness, anxiety, stress, nervous diarrhea, hyperactivity, fits, delirium tremens and, of course, insomnia. The herb's main chemical compounds, humulone and lupulone, create a substance that is chemically similar to chlordiazepoxide, substances that are included in both Librium and Valium. Hops have been used for centuries to relieve pain. Used both internally and externally, Hops are considered an anodyne that is thought to ease stomach pains, earache, neuralgia and toothache. (Click here for more information on Hops)
Passion Flower is said to have relaxing qualities that appear to relax spasms, relieve muscle tension and other manifestations of extreme anxiety. There are reports that Passion Flower stops chemical reactions that cause nausea and vomiting as a result of withdrawal from addictions. It is considered one of nature's best tranquilizers and has been used for centuries as a reliable remedy for nervous, menopausal and premenstrual tension, irritability, fatigue and tension headaches.
It is said to gently shift moods, alter perception and aid concentration; and the alkaloids are thought to act in a similar way as MAO inhibitors, which may be of some help in cases of depression. A bitter principle in Passion Flower is thought to be beneficial for functional digestive problems as well. Passionflower is also considered an anodyne that reduces pain, and as such, is used to relieve headache and nerve pain. (Click here for more information on Passion Flower)
Skull Cap has been given to alcoholics who are suffering from withdrawal symptoms and delirium tremens. It is believed to be helpful in treating barbiturate, tranquilizer and drug withdrawal symptoms. The time-honored use of Skull Cap has been as a nervine and tonic to renew and revive the central nervous system and treat nervous disorders of all kinds. The herb helps to calm the nerves, quiets and strengthens the system and is a valuable support for controlling nervous irritation, excitability, restlessness, hysteria, anxiety, hyperactivity, fatigue, night terrors and nervous headaches. The flavonoid, scutellarein, is thought to be the active ingredient that acts as a natural sedative and also stimulates the brain to produce more endorphins, promoting a feeling of calm. Use of the herb is said to help aid sleep and relieve insomnia. (Click here for more information on Skull Cap)
Rhodiola Root is an "adaptogen" and is said to stimulate and protect the immune system by reinstating the metabolic balance in the body after stressful situations. It helps the body adapt and return to normal function and a sense of well-being. Use of Rhodiola Root is also believed to promote faster adaptation to climatic and social changes. It is thought to work by making serotonin's precursors (tryptophan and 5-HTP) more available to the brain and by optimizing the amount of serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitter levels in the brain. (Click here for more information on Rhodiola Root)
Catuaba is considered a "nervine," or agent that strengthens and balances the function of the nervous system and may be both stimulating and sedating. As a nervous system tonic, it is believed to restore and nourish the system and has been used to relieve agitation, nervousness and anxiety (often accompanied by apprehension of danger, restlessness, tension, increased heart rate and shortness of breath). It is thought to be a fine general tonic that tones, nourishes and strengthens overall bodily functions and individual organs. Catuaba is also used to relieve insomnia, particularly when related to nervous debility, and it is also said to alleviate depression, emotional stress and hypochondria. It is believed to calm overactive neurotransmitters. The herb is considered both a vasodilator and vasorelaxant. These actions expand blood vessels, allowing more blood to flow through them and increase blood circulation. It also helps to lower the high blood pressure that increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure, because hypertension adds to the workload of the heart, causing it to overwork and weaken. (Click here for more information on Catuaba)
Kava Kava is a considered a mild, but effective, sedative that induces physical and mental relaxation and helps to reduce anxiety without dulling the mind. As a matter of fact, although it is used mostly for its sedative properties, it does not seem to impair the user's mental clarity, and has been known to improve memory and sensory perception. Several of Kava's chemical ingredients apparently interact with the brain's benzodiazepine receptors, which are the same sites activated by synthetic tranquilizers; but unlike addictive prescription drugs that frequently worsen depression, Kava Kava appears to improve the mood and is not considered to be addictive. It is frequently used to treat nervous tension, depression and anxiety disorders, particularly agoraphobia and social phobias. It is also said to be extremely helpful for relieving insomnia. Kava Kava has been used to stimulate the entire nervous system, promoting physical flexibility and structural alignment by influencing the motor units of the nervous system. By acting as an antispasmodic, the herb relaxes muscle tension, reduces pain and cramping due to muscle spasms, and alleviates restless leg syndrome, among other muscular complaints. It is actually thought to be one of the most powerful of the herbal muscle relaxants. (Click here for more information on Kava Kava) (Click here to view FDA Public Health Advisory on Kava Kava)
Bacopa Monnieri is considered a fine "brain tonic" that has been used for centuries to improve mental and brain functions, enhance clear thinking, support learning and memory. Traditional applications already suggest that it has a direct effect on increasing concentration, and modern laboratory tests claim that Bacopa provides antioxidant protection for the critical memory centers and helps to reduce the effects of stress on the brain. The bacosides (saponins) in Bacopa appear to play a protective role in the synaptic functions of the nerves of the hippocampus, the seat of memory. As a potent nerve tonic, Bacopa Monnieri is used to restore, energize, nourish and strengthen the central nervous system. It is used to calm the nerves and alleviate depression, nervous exhaustion, anxiety and headaches. (Click here for more information on Bacopa Monnieri)
Wood Betony is a tonic that nourishes the nerves and strengthens the central nervous system. Moreover, as a nervine, the herb helps to calm and soothe frayed nerves, diminish hyperactivity, ease stress, reduce tension and anxiety, and other nervous disorders, such as convulsions, hysteria, palpitations and panic/anxiety attacks. It is also mildly sedative, which helps to allay excitement, induce relaxation and is conducive to sleep. Wood Betony is thought to be an antispasmodic and has been used to relax muscles (including muscles of the face), control nerve twitching in the face, and palsy. (Click here for more information on Wood Betony)
Chamomile is considered a natural sedative that has a long history of use as a tranquilizer. Modern science claims that it does indeed soothe frayed nerves, because it actually slows down the central nervous system. Chamomile has a relaxing effect on the body, and it has been used for centuries to treat insomnia. This wonderfully soothing tonic is excellent for promoting good digestion and helping the gastrointestinal canal. (Click here for more information on Chamomile)
Peppermint Leaf is a "nervine" that eases nervous agitation and anxiety. It has a calming effect on the entire body and can help soothe a nagging cough. Peppermint may help treat insomnia, and people with headaches have found Peppermint effective when they accompany it with a short nap. Peppermint is a stimulant that acts more powerfully on the system than any liquor, quickly diffusing through the system and bringing back to the body its natural warmth and glow. (Click here for more information on Peppermint Leaf)
Cayenne is called a carrier or catalyst herb that increases the efficacy of almost every other herb or herbal combination. It is an overall digestive aid that stimulates the production of gastric juices, clears excess mucus from the stomach, helps to alleviate stomach ulcers from within, improves the appetite and relieves nausea from seasickness. It is also a carminative that helps to relieve gas. Cayenne is said to relieve pain. It provides natural heat, and its ingredient, capsaicin, is a strong pain-relieving agent that alleviates the joint pain of arthritis, rheumatism, muscle spasms, cramps and bowel pain. In addition, Cayenne is believed to trigger the release of endorphins by the brain, chemicals that relieve pain that may be helpful in treating cluster headaches. (Click here for more information on Cayenne)
