Overstimulated? Here’s How to Use Herbs to Support Your Nervous System

with bonus mini monographs!

In today’s world, our nervous systems are constantly receiving stimuli and pressure from every single direction. Horrific stories are the norm on the nightly news.

The uncertainty of the future is the only thing that seems to be stable. We’re glued to our devices, lost in an endless doom-scroll while rabidly searching for that hit of dopamine.

We can’t live like this, friends. It’s not sustainable.

This article isn’t going to give you lifestyle tips and tricks about waking up at 5am or dunking our unassuming bodies into an ice pit. Because I certainly don’t do those things…so I’m not going to tell you too. BUT what I will tell you – there are wonderful plant allies that can help us during these trying times (an egg could too. Iykyk.)

Oats Photo by Chad Stembridge on Unsplash

The Science Behind Herbal Medicine

First, let’s talk about herbal actions, secondary metabolites, and their role in herbalism.

We know that plants can’t run, and they certainly don’t have claws, fangs, or venom to fight back when something tries to eat them. Unlike humans and other animals, they don’t have an adaptive immune system to fend off infections. And yet, plants have survived for over 400 million years, despite constant attacks from herbivores, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

So how do they do it?

Enter secondary metabolites — a diverse arsenal of bioactive compounds that plants have evolved to protect themselves. These compounds deter predators, fight off microbial invaders, attract pollinators, and even act as antioxidants and UV protectants.

From an evolutionary pharmacology perspective, secondary metabolites form a vast natural library of medicinal compounds—many of which humans have used for centuries to treat illness, create perfumes, flavor food, and even craft poisons and pesticides.

Nature’s chemical warfare, refined by time.

The very compounds that plants produce for their own defense have become the foundation of many medicines we use today. Take Pacific Yew (Taxus brevifolia), for example — this tree produces paclitaxel (Taxol), a secondary metabolite that inhibits microtubule disassembly, making it a powerful chemotherapeutic agent in cancer treatment.

These plant-derived compounds are what we now refer to as medicinal constituents — bioactive molecules refined by nature and leveraged in modern medicine to combat disease, reduce pain, and enhance human health.

But long before these compounds were isolated, studied, and deeply understood, traditional herbalists recognized the herbal actions of these plants. And modern herbalists still use them today.

“One of the ways of coming to terms with the vast range of herbal remedies available is to consider them in terms of their actions on the body” - David Hoffman

The Nervous System & Herbal Actions

Nowhere in the body is the connection between the physical and psychological aspects of our humanity more apparent than in the nervous system.

Our nervous system is both physical tissue and the seat of our emotions, thoughts, and responses. When there’s dis-ease on a psychological level, it will manifest physiologically — and vice versa.

A holistic approach to herbalism recognizes this interconnectedness. The nervous system isn’t just a collection of neurons firing away, nor is it only responsible for psychological issues (as conventional medicine often frames it). Instead, we see the nervous system as part of the whole — something we can nourish, strengthen, and support to help both body and mind find balance. After all, many so-called “neuroses” in modern society may just be normal responses to an absurdly abnormal world.

And THAT is what I wanted to talk about. Took me awhile to get here, but alas --

I wanted to touch on the main herbal actions that support the nervous system — because understanding how these herbs work on a chemical level matters. It’s one thing to know that Milky Oats is great for anxiety, but don’t we want to know how it works? I did.

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The five herbal actions we’ll discuss are:

• Nervines – herbs that support and tone the nervous system

• Adaptogens – herbs that help the body adapt to stress

• Relaxants – herbs that relieve muscle tension and nervous system hyperactivity

• Sedatives – herbs that promote relaxation and sleep

• Stimulants – herbs that increase alertness and energy

So, let’s dive in.

What is a Nervine?

A nervine is an herb that supports and influences the nervous system in some way. But not all nervines work the same. Some help calm and relax, others stimulate and energize, and some work on a deeper level to strengthen and restore the nervous system itself.

To keep things organized (because let’s be honest, herbal terminology can get a little chaotic), we can break nervines down into three categories:

• Nervine Tonics – Strengthen and nourish the nervous system over time

• Nervine Relaxants – Ease tension and promote relaxation

• Nervine Stimulants – Gently increase energy and alertness

Each of these plays a unique role in supporting our ability to handle stress, recover from burnout, and bring balance back to the nervous system.

Nervine Tonics: Strengthening the Nervous System

If there’s one area where herbal medicine truly shines, it’s in nourishing and rebuilding the nervous system — something we all desperately need in today’s overstimulated, high-cortisol world.

Nervine tonics don’t just take the edge off stress; they work on a deeper level to restore, strengthen, and “feed” the nervous system. When we’re chronically stressed, wired-but-tired, or just plain fried, these herbs help rebuild the system from the inside out. They’re especially helpful in cases of burnout, prolonged anxiety, trauma, or nervous exhaustion — times when the nervous system has been running on fumes for way too long.

Think of nervine tonics like a nutrient-dense meal for your nerves—they don’t work instantly, but over time, they help create lasting resilience.

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OATS (Avena sativa)

• Parts Used: Seeds and whole plant

• Constituents: Seeds: starch (50%), alkaloids (trigonelline and avenine), saponins, flavones, sterols, vitamin B; Straw: silicic acid, mucin, calcium

• Actions: Nervine tonic, antidepressant, nutritive, demulcent, vulnerary

• Indications: Oats is one of the best “feeding” remedies for the nervous system. A teacher once described the medicine of Oats as allowing you to embody the oat plant itself — to sway gently in the wind, bending but never breaking, grounded yet flexible. If your nervous system feels raw, depleted, or overstimulated, Milky Oats is like a warm, nourishing hug for your nerves.

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Nervine Relaxants: Easing Stress & Tension

Sometimes, we don’t need deep restoration—we just need to calm the hell down. That’s where nervine relaxants come in.

This group of herbs helps ease stress, tension, and mental overwhelm, acting like nature’s tranquilizers (but without the pharmaceutical side effects). Many nervine relaxants also have an antispasmodic action, meaning they help release physical tension in the muscles while simultaneously calming the mind. And if there’s one thing we know, it’s that when the body is at ease, the mind follows.

• Some of the most well-loved nervine relaxants include:
  Chamomile
  Passionflower
  Skullcap
  Lemon Balm
  St. John’s Wort
  Motherwort

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SKULLCAP (Scutellaria laterifolia)

• Parts Used: Aerial parts

• Constituents: Flavonoid glycosides (scutellarin, scutellarein), trace volatile oil, bitter compounds

• Actions: Nervine tonic, sedative, antispasmodic

• Indications: Skullcap is the ultimate protector — a literal cap for your skull, keeping external negativity out while nourishing and calming what’s within. It relaxes nervous tension while simultaneously renewing and revitalizing the central nervous system, making it perfect for stress, overwhelm, and frazzled nerves.

• Preparation:

  • Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb. Let infuse for 10-15 minutes, strain, and drink 3x/day.

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Nervine Stimulants: A Little Too Much Energy

Let’s be honest — most of us don’t need more nervous system stimulation. We’re already wired, caffeinated, and overstimulated.

That’s the issue with nervine stimulants—while they can be useful in small amounts, they often come with side effects like anxiety, tension, and burnout (looking at you, coffee-induced panic attacks).

And yes, Coffee (Coffea arabica) is an example of a nervine stimulant — so is Yerba Maté, Guarana, and Green Tea. They work by increasing alertness and energy, but in high doses (or for people already running on stress), they can push the nervous system too far, leading to jitters, anxiety, and eventual exhaustion.

So, while stimulants have their place, they’re usually not what we need more of in today’s world.

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Sedatives: Deep Nervous System Relaxation

Sedatives are herbs that calm the nervous system, easing stress, nervous tension, and overstimulation. Unlike nervine relaxants, which gently soothe, sedatives work on a deeper level, helping to quiet an overactive mind and promote restfulness throughout the body.

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Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

• Parts Used: Rhizome and roots

• Constituents: Volatile oils (including valerianic acid, isovalerianic acid, borneol, pinene, camphene), volatile alkaloids

• Actions: Sedative, hypnotic, antispasmodic, hypotensive, carminative

• Indications: Valerian is a go-to for tension, anxiety, restlessness, and an overactive mind. It’s especially useful for insomnia, helping to bring on deep, restorative sleep without the grogginess of pharmaceuticals. Unlike many conventional sleep aids, Valerian works with the body to encourage natural sleep rhythms.

• Preparation: Pour a cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of dried root, let steep for 10-15 minutes, strain, and drink as needed.

(Note: Valerian can have an opposite effect in some people, increasing alertness instead of relaxation. If you find it stimulating rather than calming, try Skullcap or Passionflower instead.)

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Adaptogens: The Stress Modulators

This conversation wouldn’t be complete without talking about adaptogens—the darlings of the wellness world. And I get it. Adaptogens deserve the hype.

So, what are they?

Adaptogens help us adapt to stress. They don’t eliminate stress, nor do they stimulate or sedate—instead, they modulate the stress response, supporting adrenal and pituitary function to keep the body from hitting a breaking point.

Think of adaptogens as your body’s stress buffer—they help prevent burnout, exhaustion, and over-stimulation, keeping you in a more balanced state.

Adaptogens don’t lower stress. They help you handle it better.

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GINSENG (Panax ginseng)

• Parts Used: Root

• Constituents: Steroidal glycosides (panaxosides), sterols, vitamin D group

• Actions: Adaptogen, antidepressant, improves resistance, enhances physical and mental performance

• Indications:

  • Increases vitality & physical endurance

  • Raises low blood pressure to a normal level

  • Helps with exhaustion & adrenal fatigue

  • Supports mood & energy, especially in cases of depletion

• Preparation:

  • Decoction: Simmer ½ teaspoon of powdered root in 1 cup of water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink 3x/day.

  • Or simply chew the root—a traditional method for sustained energy.

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My Thoughts

Herbal medicine isn’t about hacking your nervous system — it’s about supporting it. The plants we work with have evolved alongside us, offering powerful, gentle, and effective ways to build resilience, without the crash and burn.

So whether you need deep nourishment (Nervine Tonics), immediate relaxation (Nervine Relaxants), a cautious boost (Nervine Stimulants), or stress support (Adaptogens) — there’s a plant for that.

And if you’re feeling fried, anxious, or thiiiis close to burnout? Maybe skip that extra coffee and try Milky Oats, Skullcap, or a little Ginseng instead. Your nervous system will thank you.

Valerian Photo by Jillian Amatt - Artistic Voyages on Unsplash

If you’ve made it this far and found this article helpful, I’d love if you could leave a like, comment, and share or restack!

It helps fellow herbies, like you and I, find this educational content.

I hope you enjoyed the bonus mini monographs!

Until next time,

Agy

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Bibliography:

Wink, M. (2015). Modes of action of herbal medicines and plant secondary metabolites. Medicines, 2(3), 251–286. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines2030251

Hoffmann, D. (1988). The Herbal Handbook: A User’s Guide to Medical Herbalism. Inner Traditions.