Herbs to calm the nerves: what are and how to apply

The life of a modern person is oversaturated with stressful situations, and disorders of the nervous system in the future often become a source of other diseases. The cardiovascular system suffers, sleep is disturbed. All this ends with chronic insomnia, hypertension, migraine, depression and so on. It is quite possible to support your nervous system with the help of medicine. After all, there are various herbs that have sedative, relaxing, soothing effects. And most importantly: they do not have side effects, are not addictive, and some herbs can be given to calm babies.

Types of plants acting on the nervous system

Conventionally, all sedative herbs for the nerves are divided into stimulating the central nervous system and depressing. This article describes the latter, and they, in turn, are divided into: hypnotics and sedatives, anxiolytics (reduce anxiety, anxiety, fear, tension, have antidepressant properties, central muscle relaxant and moderate hypnotic activity).

Medicinal plants with a sedative effect

Medicinal herbs with a sedative effect help to suppress the process of excitation. The most famous plant in this category can be called valerian, the extract of which is sold in any pharmacy.

Valerian rhizome 1.5 g

Valerian

It has a calming effect on the nervous system, and also reduces excitement, normalizes the work of the heart, relaxes the walls of blood vessels (due to this, blood pressure decreases). This effect is achieved through a combination of essential oil and valeopotriates contained in vegetable raw materials. The herb is best suited for the treatment of migraine, insomnia, hysteria, chronic disorders of the central nervous system, stress, spasms. The action is gentle. With caution should be used by allergy sufferers, since the essential oil included in the composition can provoke an allergic reaction.

Melissa

Lemon balm extract has an antispasmodic, analgesic effect, as well as vasodilator (dilates the lumen of blood vessels), reducing blood pressure. For treatment, decoctions and teas are mainly used. Melissa is included in herbal preparations for the treatment of various diseases of the cardiovascular system, nervous system and gastrointestinal problems. Can be combined with collections of soothing herbs based on peppermint, lavender, valerian.

Melissa grass 50 g

Motherwort

In its medicinal properties, this herb is similar to valerian. It also has an inhibitory effect when the central nervous system is excited. Improves sleep, “stretching” its slow phase, but without the hypnotic effect. Note: there are 2 phases of sleep – slow and fast sleep. For the normal functioning of body systems, both phases are important, but it is believed that the phase of slow sleep has a significant mission of restoring the body. Therefore, it is recommended to take this herb half an hour to an hour before the desired time of sleep. Can be used to treat stress, chronic disorders of the nervous system, hysteria, insomnia.

Home Sedatives

At home, the following infusions can be prepared from sedative herbs:

1. With nervous diseases, an infusion of valerian roots helps perfectly. For its preparation 1 tbsp. a spoonful of lemon balm herb pour 200 ml of hot boiled water, and then insist on a water bath for 15 minutes. strained broth in a warm form, adults should take a third of a glass after 15-20 minutes. before meals three times a day.
2. With insomnia and sleep disorders, an infusion of lemon balm helps well. You need to take 3 teaspoons of dry grass, pour a glass of boiling water. Infuse for 30 minutes. Drink barely warm small sips directly at night.
3. A complex calming effect on the body is exerted by phytovannes. They help not only to establish the work of the nervous system, but also to achieve a quick sedative effect (since flavonoids penetrate the skin, along with breathing). The simplest recipe: take 2 tablespoons of the herb sage, chamomile, lemon balm and peppermint. Pour all this with 2 liters of boiling water and insist 1-1.5 hours. And then pour the strained broth into the bathroom. It is recommended to take it for about 15-20 minutes.

Peppermint tincture 25 ml

Herbs to calm the baby

For children, soothing herbs can also be used. But here it is important to select only those fees that will not have a negative effect, in addition, it is necessary to carefully observe the dosage. But it is herbal medicine that is the best option for calming the baby and improving his sleep.

Soothing plants that can be used for children

Babies are mainly prescribed teas with chamomile, fennel, mint for the nervous system. On the recommendation of EMA/HMPC/337066/2011: “The use in children under 4 years of age is not recommended”, children from 4 years old can still include linden tea in the diet, from 12 years – teas and infusions based on valerian. That’s just plants in a ready-to-use form should be bought in pharmacies. Such herbs, subject to these recommendations, are absolutely safe, while helping to avoid many problems with the work of the child’s central nervous system in the future (in particular, hyperactivity).

Ways to use herbs for children: baths and teas

In the form of phytovannas, herbs for babies can be used right from birth, literally immediately after discharge from the hospital. By the way, this has a positive effect on the condition of their skin. You can take 0.5 teaspoons of valerian, motherwort and lemon balm, pour all this with a glass of boiling water and insist for 30-45 minutes. Next, add to the bath for bathing the baby. Phytovanna is recommended to be taken no more than 10 minutes.

Motherwort herb 50 g

And from teas, a decoction of chamomile is best suited. Place 3 tablespoons of flowers in an enameled dish, pour 200 ml of hot boiled water, close the lid and insist on a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Cool at room temperature for 45 minutes, strain, squeeze the rest until strained infusion. Bring the volume of infusion with boiled water to 200 ml.

Chamomile flowers 50 g

Apply in a warm form 3 times a day after meals: adults and children from 14 years old – 1/3 cup each, children aged 12-14 years – 1/4 cup, age 7-12 years – 2 tablespoons, 3-7 years old – 1 tablespoon each, 1 tablespoon at the age of 1-3 years, 1 dessert spoon at the age of 6 months – 1 year – 1/2-1 teaspoon..

Herbs for men

The effect of sedative and hypnotic herbs does not depend on gender, but people recommend chamomile, motherwort, mother grass, mint as soothing herbs for men. Why them? Because they act more through the normalization of the cardiovascular system, saturating the brain with oxygen.

Mother grass 20 filter bags

Herbs for women

People say that it is for women that the following herbs are better suited: valerian, lemon balm, peppermint, sage, but this statement is not supported by an evidence base.

Medicinal plants with a tonic effect

Such herbs mainly enhance the natural defense of the nervous system. They help to increase resistance to stress, depressive states. Practice shows that they still level the dependence on weather conditions. Among such herbs, ginseng, eleutherococcus are most often used.

Ginseng

The tonic effect of this herb is due to the concentration of vitamins contained in the plant extract. It is best suited for use when you need to increase efficiency, after overwork. Also, tea based on ginseng increases the sensitivity of vision, hearing, which has a positive effect on attentiveness.

Eleutherococcus

The composition of this herb for the nervous system includes eleutherosides, which is due to the tonic effect. In particular, mental, physical performance increases, manifestations of stress decrease. It is allowed to use for neurasthenia, hypotension (low blood pressure).

Application of adaptogen plants

As a rule, adaptogen plants are used a few hours before the planned mental or physical work, but not at night. In this case, the optimal dosage should be selected by the doctor. In most cases, it is the tincture in the form of drops that is used. Ginseng is taken 15-25 drops 3 times a day before meals. And Eleutherococcus – 25-30 drops before meals (also 3 times a day).

Eleutherococcus extract 50 ml

In total, soothing herbs are an excellent alternative to antidepressants and tranquilizers. And most importantly – safe, without the effect of addiction and the need to increase the initial dosage in the future.

References:

1. Community herbal monograph on Melissa officinalis L., folium. EMA/HMPC/196745/2012.
2. E/S/C/O/P Monography: Scientific Foundation of The Literary Community.
3. MONOGRAPHIC WHO for vibranikh likarsky roslin.
4. Community herbal monograph on Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All., flos. EMA/HMPC/560734/2010
5. Assessment report on Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr.et Maxim.) Maxim., radix. EMA/HMPC/680615/2013

Author: Natalia Kandybey, Candidate of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Quality Director of the Pharmaceutical Factory “Viola”