Nervine

Nervines are herbs that nurture and soothe the nervous system, helping to calm both physical and emotional aspects, supporting emotional balance. The mechanisms of action are varied and include through modulation of neurotransmitter and receptor activity in the nervous system. This can include acting on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, acetylcholine and dopaminergic receptors to calm neural activity and reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and facilitate a sense of calm.

Examples of nervine herbs include oatstraw (Avena sativa), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), lavender (Lavandula officinalis), St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum).

Herbs that promote cerebral circulation as well as nourish and protect the brain and may also be considered nervines. These include rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) and gotu kola (Centella asiatica).