The invertebrate nervous systems range from a simplistic nerve network to a complicated nerve network regulated by a primitive brain.
See also integrated nervous system, peripheral nervous system, central nervous system.
The nervous system is our body's most essential system since it controls all body functions, including the body's reaction to stress.
Increased stress and anxiety may have a very negative impact on the nervous system, exposing it to exhaustion.
This much discomfort implies that the nervous system holds the body in a permanent state of alertness, without enabling it to return to a state of relaxation.
The nervous system slowly begins to degenerate when the stress response of the body is continuously working.
As it begins to break down gradually, it can cause complications of all varieties.
This would include exhaustion, mental confusion, imbalances in the hormones, inflammation, and depression.
Using herbs is a perfect way to sustain the nervous system while under tension.
There are several essential herbs to the wellbeing of the nervous system.
There are two main categories of herbs:
- Specifics - Such herbs perform different roles/symptoms unique to the target. These tend to act more efficiently than tonic herbs.
2.Tonics -In general, these herbs improve the health and functionality of the body or specific organs. They are taken for the best results over a prolonged period.
Understanding the Autonomous Nervous System
Dysautonomy is a generic term used to describe a set of Autonomous Nervous System (ANS) dysfunction associated disorders. And understanding dysautonomy coincides with acknowledging how the ANS works.
The autonomic nervous system governs precise mechanisms spontaneously happening within the body, without the deliberate attempt of a human to make them work. Those mechanisms include things like breathing, blood pressure, and pulse rate.
If the autonomic nervous system is not working correctly (dysfunctions), it can affect any part or process of the body.
These abnormalities may be recoverable or may worsen gradually over time.
The ANS is responsible for the regulation of our blood vessels, stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys, bladder genitals lungs, pupils, heart and sweat, salivary, and digestive glands.
How debilitating ANS disorders can be is easy to see because they negatively impact too many body parts.
If the autonomic nervous system is not working correctly (dysfunctions), it can influence any part or process of the body.
The autonomic nervous system has two main divisions:
- Sympathetic
- Parasympathetic
Each of these sections is impaired if the ANS is not operating correctly. It's essential to learn how the ANS functions inside the body to grasp it fully.
When an ANS detects a signal from the body and the environment, it reacts by activating processes within the body, primarily through the sympathetic component of the ANS, or by inhibiting a process through the ANS ' parasympathetic division.
For instance, the heat in a room is turned up.
This represents an external communication which is transmitted inside the body by the ANS. An ANS that works appropriately will respond by sending out a signal that allows the body to sweat. That should be a normal response to stimuli received.
The processes the ANS are responsible for are:
- Blood pressures
- Heart rate and respiration (breathing)
- Body temperature
- Digestion
- Metabolism (affects weight)
- The balance of water & electrolytes (affecting sodium & calcium levels)
- Production of body fluids (affecting saliva, sweat & tears)
- Urination
- Defecation
- Sexual response
One of the more challenging aspects to consider is that although the sympathetic or parasympathetic divisions mainly dominate specific organs, the two divisions can sometimes have opposite effects on the same organ.
For example, the sympathetic division increases blood pressure, and it decreases by the parasympathetic division. Overall, the two departments work closely to ensure the body appropriately reacts to various situations.
The sympathetic division prepares the body for suffering and emergency situations-Fight or Flight. The process of battle or run raises the heart rate and blood pressure (the power the heart contracts) and dilates (widens) the airways making respiration easier.
This allows the body to lose excess energy, which enhances muscle strength. This also triggers the sweat of your palms, the dilation of pupils, and the termination of your hair. This speeds down processes within the body that, including digestion and urination, are less necessary in an emergency.
On the other hand, during ordinary circumstances, the parasympathetic division regulates the functions inside the body.
This usually preserves and recovers. It slows down the heart rate and lowers blood pressure.
It promotes digestion and causes the body to consume food and remove waste.
It is using resources and energy from processed food to regenerate and create tissue in the body.
Two chemical messengers (neurotransmitters) are used to communicate within the autonomic nervous system:
- Acetylcholine
- Norepinephrine
The cholinergic fibers are called nerve fibers, which are responsible for the secretion of acetylcholine.
Norepinephrine-secreting fibers are called adrenergic fibers.
Acetylcholine usually has parasympathetic (inhibitory) effects, and norepinephrine has sympathetic (stimulative) effects. Acetylcholine does have some sensitive effects, though. It sometimes causes sweating, for example, or lets the hair stand on end.
The role of cholinergic and adrenergic fibers continues to be explored in the investigation into dysautonomy, and particularly the role they play in POTS patients ' ANS work.
Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) - Nerve Tonic
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) - Calmative/Antispasmodic
St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) — Nerve Tonic
Skullcap, a North American resilient annual weed, is possibly the best tonic herb for the nervous system altogether.
It supports optimal electrical activity and brain functioning.
It earned notoriety for helping to cure neurological issues, including tremors, epilepsy, nervous agitation, and anxiety.
St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) — Nerve Tonic
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) - Calmative/Antispasmodic
St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) — Nerve Tonic
St Johns Wort, native to Europe, has historically been used as a tonic for the nerves, while it has become a prominent depression treatment these days.
When you suffer from long-term stress-induced emotional fatigue, St John's Wort will often be of support.
It's a sustaining, mellow, nerve tonic that improves the entire nervous system.
Scientists have discovered that St Johns Wort is an efficient cure for overcoming both anxiety and depression simultaneously when combined with the passionflower extract.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) - Calmative/Antispasmodic
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) - Calmative/Antispasmodic
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - Calmative/Hypnotic/Antispasmodic
Passionflower is a renowned potent calming herb that is extremely beneficial in the treatment of anxiety. Passionflower is essential in relieving muscle tension and other extreme anxiety symptoms.
It's particularly suitable for severe insomnia — the kind that leaves you lying awake in bed, worried until the early hours.
It is helpful in moments of severe emotional distress, too.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - Calmative/Hypnotic/Antispasmodic
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - Calmative/Hypnotic/Antispasmodic
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - Calmative/Hypnotic/Antispasmodic
Valerian is another potent healing herb that is especially beneficial for soothing the nervous system and body, so it can get to recover.
Valerian root helps provide the central nervous system with that calming effect, notably for conditions such as neuropathy, Bell's palsy, and others.
The common valerian, sometimes also known as garden heliotrope, is a perennial fragrant plant that typically grows to two to four feet in height.
An element found in the valerian rootstock called valepotriates induces profound sedative effects on the central nervous system.
The valerian rootstock contains a variety of components that are responsible for its foul smell as well as strong tranquilizing characteristics. The rootstock includes an ingredient called butyl isovalerate used to produce a synthetic, brewed egg product that lures coyotes and fends off deer. In a variety of mature mangoes grown in Africa, it has been found as well yet another material comprised by the valerian rootstock.
Ginseng (Panax Ginseng)- General Tonic/Adaptogen
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - Calmative/Hypnotic/Antispasmodic
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) - Adaptogenic / Antidepressant
Two types of ginseng are present there (Siberian and Panax / Chinese / Asian), and both are known as adaptogen plants.
This particular herb helps the adaptability of the body and allows it to avoid getting to the point of breakdown or over-stress.
Siberian ginseng works wonders for chronically stressed people, as it regulates the responses of the body and helps to regenerate over-stressed adrenal glands.
It's working very slowly, though, and it needs to be used for some time before noticing the results.
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) - Adaptogenic / Antidepressant
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - Calmative/Hypnotic/Antispasmodic
Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) - Adaptogenic / Antidepressant
Rhodiola is a herb known to be able to make people recover faster from exhaustion and physical or mental pressure.
This renders it valuable to avoid long-term nervous system harm and to keep us working at a stable pace.
Rhodiola provides anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, activates the nervous system, and can improve neurotransmitter rates.
It has been confirmed to improve overall cognitive performance, boost brain health, and alleviate anxiety
Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilia ) - Sedative / Tranquilizer
Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilia ) - Sedative / Tranquilizer
Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilia ) - Sedative / Tranquilizer
Chamomile is one of the oldest medical plants known to humanity.
Two specific varieties reflect its nomenclature as a member of the family Asteraceae / Composita.
German Chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) and Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile).
The dried chamomile flowers contain many terpenoids and flavonoids which contribute to their medicinal properties.
For many human illnesses such as hay fever, fatigue, muscle spasms, menstrual disturbances, depression, ulcers, burns, gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatic discomfort, and hemorrhoids, chamomile preparations are widely used.
Essential chamomile oils are widely used in cosmetics and aromatherapy.
Lavender(Lavandula angustifolia) - antidepressant/nerve tonic
Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilia ) - Sedative / Tranquilizer
Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilia ) - Sedative / Tranquilizer
Lavenders are part of a Lavendula group, which belong to the Mediterranean-native mint family, Lamiaceae. The natural oil of lavender (Lavendula angustifolia Mill) is typically composed of linalyl acetate, β-linalol and β-caryophyllene.
The generic functions of lavender oil are antibacterial, antifungal, carminative (smooth muscle relaxant), sedative, antidepressant, wound healing facilitates and enzyme detoxification along with insecticide tolerance decreases.
Lavender is traditionally believed to have a range of medicinal and curative properties.
There is growing evidence that lavender oil can be an effective medication for treating various neurological disorders. Studies show that
lavender has anxiolytic, mood stabilizer, sedative, analgesic, and anticonvulsant and neuroprotective properties.
Sandalwood (Santalum album) - Sedative
Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilia ) - Sedative / Tranquilizer
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) - Stress reduction/antidepressant/ nerve tonic
In Oriental medicine, sandalwood is commonly used as a traditional sedative.
Santalol, a significant component of sandalwood oil, has been documented to have depressant effects such as sedation on the central nervous system.
Sandalwood has been used as a perfume, medicine, incense sticks for thousands of years in India. In ancient times it was found that termites would not consume the sandalwood trees so that the wood was used to make religious idols, chests to preserve linens, etc.
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) - Stress reduction/antidepressant/ nerve tonic
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) - Stress reduction/antidepressant/ nerve tonic
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) - Stress reduction/antidepressant/ nerve tonic
Multiple sage plants were long thought to enhance mental function in different ways.
Sage plants tend to be associated with sharper memory,
greater alertness, and the possible benefits of battling Alzheimer's.
Clary sage exerts anti-depressant and anti-stress effects on the nervous system.
Clary sage has a special connection with the body's nerves, which can be used in aromatherapy to promote intense relaxation.
Clary sage has a brightening and energizing feature that helps to
calm and balance the mind inducing a restoring additional capacity, motivation, and clarity.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) - Sedative
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) - Stress reduction/antidepressant/ nerve tonic
Sweet Marjoram(Origanum marjorana) - Sedative
Native to tropical Asia, Bergamot is now extensively cultivated in the Southern part of Italy, particularly in the Calabria region.
It also takes its name from an Italian city, that of Bergamot in Lombardy, where the essential oil was initially sold.
The Italians have used Bergamot in folk medicine for years, in particular for fevers.
Bergamot essential oil is commonly used against psychological stress and anxiety in aromatherapy
Sweet Marjoram(Origanum marjorana) - Sedative
Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea) - Stress reduction/antidepressant/ nerve tonic
Sweet Marjoram(Origanum marjorana) - Sedative
Sweet Marjoram is one of the variants of oregano with more delicate flavors.
Sweet Marjoram is a tender, perennially growing herb that is usually grown as an annual in the northern hemisphere gardens.
This herb is known as originating in North Africa, India, and the Middle East
Therapeutically, the herb is also valued because of its antispasmodic and stimulant properties. Sweet marjoram is an excellent natural tonic used to treat various digestive and respiratory tract related problems.
This herb has a more powerful effect on the nervous system compared to oregano (botanical name Origanum vulgare), and is often known to suppress libido or sex drive.